Diamond Brocade Accent Panel [Knitting Technique]

For a beautiful accent panel for garments, blankets, or hats, work a few rows of Diamond Brocade on a background of Stockinette stitch. The Diamond Brocade accent panel is a bit reminiscent of argyle, so it’s not surprising that this technique really shines on sweaters.

Plan

Diamond Brocade Stitch is worked over 8+1 stitches and 8+1 rows. To create an accent column of diamonds, you’ll need to find space for 9 stitches in your pattern.

A great place to incorporate the panel is down the top side of each sleeve. When working in the round, you can also incorporate a panel under the arm.

Prepare

To ensure each Diamond Brocade panel is centered on the sleeve, you’ll first need to adjust the stitches so that each sleeve has an odd number.

If your pattern already calls for an odd number of sleeve stitches, you can skip this step.

If the sections have an even number, simply move one stitch from the body/front to one sleeve and one stitch from the body/back to the other sleeve.

Next, identify the center stitch of your sleeve. Add 4 stitches on both sides and, using stitch markers, mark these 9 center stitches.

Written Instructions

When repeating the design over multiple diamonds, the first row provides the top center purl of the diamond. When finishing, you’ll need to repeat Row 1 once more.

Working back and forth:

Row 1 – k4, p1, k4
Row 2 – p3, k1, p1, k1, p3
Row 3 – k2, p1, k3, p1, k2
Row 4 – p1, k1, p5, k1, p1

Row 5 – p1, k7, p1
Row 6 – p1, k1, p5, k1, p1
Row 7 – k2, p1, k3, p1, k2
Row 8 – p3, k1, p1, k1, p3

Working in the round:

Row 1 – k4, p1, k4
Row 2 – k3, p1, k1, p1, k3
Row 3 – k2, p1, k3, p1, k2
Row 4 – k1, p1, k5, p1, k1

Row 5 – p1, k7, p1
Row 6 – k1, p1, k5, p1, k1
Row 7 – k2, p1, k3, p1, k2
Row 8 – k3, p1, k1, p1, k3