Flat Entrelac

Flat Entrelac: Two-Needle Knitting Tutorial and Bag Patterns

What Is Being Made

This downloadable PDF pattern by Rian Anderson provides a comprehensive tutorial for the entrelac knitting technique on two needles, along with complete instructions for creating a laptop bag and small pouch. The entrelac method produces distinctive small diamonds worked on the bias, with each diamond picked up from the sides of the one below. Once you master this technique, you can apply it to create rectangular pieces including bags, laptop covers, scarves, wraps, and blankets.

Entrelac Technique and Stitches

Entrelac is an intermediate-level knitting technique that creates a visually striking geometric pattern of interlocking diamonds. The method involves working small sections in stocking stitch (stockinette stitch), with each new diamond section picked up from the sides of the completed section below it. This creates a three-dimensional, woven appearance that is both decorative and structurally sound.

Stocking Stitch forms the basis of the entrelac pattern. This fundamental knit stitch creates a smooth, V-textured fabric on the right side and horizontal bumps on the wrong side. The bias orientation of each diamond section adds visual interest and movement to the finished piece.

Materials and Yarn Requirements

The patterns are designed to work with 10 ply or worsted weight yarn. The tutorial demonstrates the technique using Noro Silk Garden, a yarn that features natural colour changes, making it ideal for showcasing the entrelac pattern. Specific yardage requirements are:

• Laptop bag: 3 balls of Noro Silk Garden (50 gm = 100 m per ball, totaling approximately 300 meters)
• Small pouch: 2 balls of Noro Silk Garden (approximately 200 meters)

The pattern notes that any 10 ply or worsted weight yarn of similar thickness can be substituted. Yarns with natural colour changes or multiple plain coloured stripes work particularly well to highlight the entrelac diamond pattern.

Needles and Tools

The flat entrelac method requires specific needle sizes to achieve proper tension and stitch definition:

• 4.5 mm (US 7) needles for the main entrelac sections
• Double-pointed needles or circular needle (4.5 mm / US 7) for working the edging on the laptop bag
• 5.5 mm needle as a spare for casting off
• Stitch markers to track pattern sections
• Safety pins for holding stitches
• Tapestry needle for finishing and weaving in ends

The pattern indicates that circular needles of the same size can be used as an alternative to double-pointed needles for edging work, offering flexibility based on personal preference.

Project Applications

This tutorial demonstrates the entrelac technique through two complete patterns—a laptop bag and a small pouch—but the skills learned apply to numerous projects. The rectangular nature of entrelac-worked pieces makes them suitable for scarves, wraps, blankets, and other flat accessories. The intermediate difficulty level assumes knitters have solid foundational skills and are ready to tackle a more complex stitch pattern.

Designer: Rian Anderson | Format: Downloadable PDF | Copyright: 2013