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Lattice stitch knitting makes a diagonal grid of raised ropes that cross like a garden trellis. The ropes travel across the fabric, so it looks woven rather than stacked in columns.
It's an intermediate cable pattern: every cable is 4 stitches, but there are four kinds and an 8-row repeat.
The one thing that makes it work: two cables cross knit over knit, and two cross knit over purl. The knit-over-purl crosses move the ropes sideways across the purl background.
Watch: Knit Lattice Stitch Video Tutorial
Watch the difference between the plain cables (C4B, C4F) and the traveling cables (CR4B, CL4F), where two stitches are purled.
What You Need
The pattern is written for worsted weight yarn on US 8 needles. Sport or DK weight on smaller needles makes a finer lattice for hats and mitts. Smooth, light-colored yarn shows the ropes best while you're learning. You'll need a cable needle.
Abbreviations used in this pattern: K knit, P purl, C4B cable 4 back, C4F cable 4 front, CR4B cross 4 back, CL4F cross 4 front. Each is defined under "Cables" in the pattern.
Stitch multiple: 12 stitches. The swatch casts on 36 for three repeats.
Knit Lattice Stitch Written Pattern
5 stitches and 6 rows to the inch in seed stitch on size 8 needles
Cast on 36 stitches. Lattice stitch is worked in a 12 stitch repeat, so if extra stitches are needed to make the piece 6" across, add them in 12 stitch increments. If the full 12 stitch repeat isn't needed, you may add a seed stitch or garter stitch border to the work.
Set Up Rows
Row 1: *Knit 4, Purl 2* across the work
Row 2: *Knit 2, Purl 4* across the work
Pattern Row 1: *C4B, Purl 2* across the work
Pattern Row 2: *Knit 2, Purl 4* across the work
Pattern Row 3: Purl 2, *Knit 2, CR4B* across the work, end Knit 4
Pattern Row 4: Purl 4, *Knit 2, Purl 4* across the work, end Knit 2
Pattern Row 5: *Purl 2, C4F* across the work
Pattern Row 6: *Purl 4, Knit 2* across the work
Pattern Row 7: Knit 4, *CL4F, Knit 2* across the work, end Purl 2
Pattern Row 8: Knit 2 *Purl 4, Knit 2* across the work, end Purl 4
Cables
C4B: Slip the first two stitches onto a cable needle and hold to the back of the work. Knit the next two stitches on the needle, then knit the two stitches from the cable needle.
C4F: Slip the first two stitches onto a cable needle and hold to the front of the work. Knit the next two stitches on the needle, then knit the two stitches from the cable needle.
CR4B: Slip the first two stitches onto a cable needle and hold to the back of the work. Knit the next two stitches and then purl the two stitches from the cable needle.
CL4F: Slip the first two stitches onto a cable needle and hold to the front of the work. Purl the next two stitches, then knit the two stitches from the cable needle.
Step-by-Step: How the Stitch Works
- Set up the ribs. The set-up rows make columns of 4 knits with 2 purls between; the knit columns are the ropes.
- Cross in place. On Pattern Row 1, each column is cabled back (C4B), which twists the rope without moving it.
- Send the ropes traveling. On Pattern Row 3, CR4B crosses 2 knits over 2 purls, so each rope splits and heads diagonally.
- Cross again. Pattern Row 5 uses C4F to twist the ropes where they now meet, halfway between their old positions.
- Travel back. Pattern Row 7 uses CL4F to carry each rope back toward its starting column. After Row 8 the ropes are home, with a diamond of purl inside each crossing.
Tips and Common Mistakes
- On wrong-side rows, knit the knits and purl the purls as they face you.
- The traveling cables are easy to mix up. CR4B holds stitches at the back and ends with purls; CL4F holds them in front and ends with knits.
- Rows 3, 4, 7, and 8 start and end with partial repeats. A stitch marker shows where the repeat begins.
- Lattice pulls in and uses more yarn than stockinette. Swatch first, and buy extra.
What to Make With the Knit Lattice Stitch
Lattice is a showpiece fabric. One panel of three repeats makes a pillow front or the center of a scarf in worsted weight. It also works all-over for a blanket in worsted or bulky yarn, or as a sweater front panel. For a blanket, see how to knit a blanket; a seed stitch border frames lattice well.
Related Stitches
- Knit Cable Stitch — learn the basic C4F first if cables are new to you
- Knit Honeycomb Stitch — an all-over cable with only two crosses, a good step before lattice
- Knit Basketweave Stitch — a woven look with no cable needle at all
- Browse every knit stitch tutorial
Yarn for This Stitch
Lattice needs a smooth yarn so the ropes stand out. The pattern is written for worsted weight, so start with the worsted weight yarn collection, or bulky weight for a heavier blanket. DGY's recycled silk is hand-dyed by artisans in India in lace through super bulky weights.
If you'd like a new skein to practice on every month, Yarn of the Month sends three hand-dyed skeins with a knit and crochet pattern written for them, $29 a month plus shipping.
Knit Lattice Stitch FAQ
Is the lattice stitch hard to knit?
It's intermediate. Each cable is simple, but there are four kinds and an 8-row repeat.
Is lattice stitch knitting reversible?
No. The ropes show on the right side; the back is plain bumps.
How is lattice different from a regular cable?
A regular cable twists in place and runs straight up. Lattice cables cross knits over purls, so the ropes move sideways into a diagonal grid.
