Faggot Stitch: An Openwork Lace Pattern
The Faggot Stitch is a classic openwork knitting pattern that creates a light, airy fabric with a simple yet elegant lace effect. Using a repeating combination of yarn overs and decreases, this stitch forms evenly spaced eyelets that give the fabric a delicate, structured appearance.
Despite its intricate look, the Faggot Stitch is relatively straightforward once you understand the rhythm of the pattern. It’s a great introduction to lace knitting and works well for projects where you want breathability and subtle texture without overly complex shaping.
Because of its open structure, this stitch is especially effective when worked with lighter-weight yarns, allowing the eyelets to fully open and showcase the pattern.
Difficulty Level:
Cast on:
Cast on any multiple of 2 stitches.
Techniques Used in This Stitch
- k – knit
- p – purl
- yo – yarnover
- k2tog – knit two stitches together
Instructions
Cast on any multiples of two stitches for your project.
For Row 1 (right side), knit one stitch, then bring the yarn forward to create a yarn over, and knit two stitches together. Continue repeating this sequence across the row until the end. For Row 2 (wrong side), purl all stitches.
Repeat Rows 1 and 2 until you reach your desired length.
Traditional Knitting Instructions
Row 1: *k1, yo, k2tog; repeat from * to end.
Row 2: p all stitches.
Repeat Rows 1–2 until piece measures desired length.
Faggot Stitch Knitting Chart
Swatch Examples
