Key and Basket Mosaic Stitch: Spring Stitch Sampler Knit Along 4

The Key and Basket Mosaic Stitch is the featured stitch for Week 4 of the Spring Stitch Sampler Knit Along.

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Are you ready for Week 4?

If you haven’t already done so, be sure to read the overview information for this knit along and complete the sections provided in Week 1, Week 2, and Week 3 before beginning Week 4.

Spring Stitch Sampler Knit Along

Week 4: Part 4

A full list of size options and materials needed can be found in the KAL Overview.

Key & Basket Stitch is a long stitch pattern (many rows) with lots of slips. This is also the only stitch pattern to feature sl 2 (slip 2)! While slipping multiple stitches in mosaic knitting is rare, it does happen. Be mindful of tension when working theses slips in both directions.

Abbreviations

BO – bind off
CO – cast on
k – knit
pwise – purlwise, as if to purl
sl – slip
st(s) – stitch(es)
wyib – with yarn in back
wyif – with yarn in front

Instructions are provided for multiple sizes as follows: S (M, L)

Some rows of this pattern are repeated as a later row. Instructions for this pattern are provided in two ways: one with each row written out and one in a condensed format. Be sure to work the setup rows before you begin the stitch pattern.

The Pattern: Key and Basket Mosaic Stitch

Wave Stitch is worked in multiples of 16 + 3 stitches over 32 rows.
This pattern begins on the right side.

Setup

With Color B, knit 2 rows.

Key and Basket Mosaic Stitch

Stitches on odd (RS) rows should be slipped pwise wyib.
Stitches on even (WS) rows should be slipped pwise wyif.

Row 1 (Color A) – k4, (k1, k3), *(k1, sl 1, k3, sl 1) twice, k3, sl 1* until 5 (2, 5) sts remain, k to end

For Row 2 and all even (WS) rows, knit all stitches that were knit on the previous row. Slip all stitches that were slipped on the previous row.

Row 3 (Color B) – k4 (k1, k3), *sl 1, k3* until 5 (2, 5) sts remain, sl 1, k to end

Row 5 (Color A) – k7 (k4, k6), *sl 1, k1, (sl 1, k3) twice, sl 1, k5* ending last repeat with k7 (k4, k7)

Row 7 (Color B) – k5 (k2, k4), *sl 2, k3, (sl 1, k3) twice, sl 2, k1* until 4 (1, 4) sts remain, k to end

Row 9 (Color A) – k7 (k4, k6), *(sl 1, k3) twice, sl 1, k1, sl 1, k5* ending last repeat with k7 (k4, k7)

Row 11 (Color B) – k4 (k1, k3), *sl 1, k3* until 5 (2, 5) sts remain, sl 1, k to end

Row 13 (Color A) – k5 (k2, k4), *(sl 1, k3) twice, sl 1, k1, sl 1, k3, sl 1, k1* until 4 (1, 4) sts remain, k to end

Row 15 (Color B) – k6 (k3, k5), *sl 1, k3* until 3 (0,3) sts remain, k to end

Row 17 (Color A) – k5 (k2, k4) *(sl 1, k1, sl 1, k3) twice, sl 1, k3* until 4 (1, 4) sts remain, k to end

Row 19 (Color B) – k4 (k1, k3), *sl 1, k3* until 5 (2, 5) sts remain, sl 1, k to end

Row 21 (Color A) – k7 (k4, k6), *sl 1, k1, sl 1, k5, (sl 1, k3) twice* ending last repeat with k5 (k2, k5)

Row 23 (Color B) – k6 (k3, k5), *sl 1, k3, sl 2, k1, sl 2, k3, sl 1, k3* until 3 (0, 3) sts remain, k to end

Row 25 (Color A) – k5 (k2, k4), *sl 1, k3, sl 1, k5, sl 1, k1, sl 1, k3* until 4 (1, 4) sts remain, k to end

Row 27 (Color B) – k4 (k1, k3), *sl 1, k3* until 5 (2, 5) sts remain, sl 1, k to end

Row 29 (Color A) – k7 (k4, k6), *(sl 1, k3, sl 1, k1) twice, sl 1, k3* ending last repeat with k5 (k2, k5)

Row 31 (Color B) – k6 (k3, k5), *sl 1, k3* until 3 (0,3) sts remain, k to end

Be sure to work Row 32 as Row 2!

Continue working until work measures 36″ (48″, 60″) from cast-on edge, ending with Row 16 or Row 32.

Key and Basket Mosaic Stitch (Condensed)

Stitches on odd (RS) rows should be slipped pwise wyib.
Stitches on even (WS) rows should be slipped pwise wyif.

Row 1 (Color A) – k4, (k1, k3), *(k1, sl 1, k3, sl 1) twice, k3, sl 1* until 5 (2, 5) sts remain, k to end

For Row 2 and all even (WS) rows, knit all stitches that were knit on the previous row. Slip all stitches that were slipped on the previous row.

Rows 3, 11, 19, 27 (Color B) – k4 (k1, k3), *sl 1, k3* until 5 (2, 5) sts remain, sl 1, k to end

Row 5 (Color A) – k7 (k4, k6), *sl 1, k1, (sl 1, k3) twice, sl 1, k5* ending last repeat with k7 (k4, k7)

Row 7 (Color B) – k5 (k2, k4), *sl 2, k3, (sl 1, k3) twice, sl 2, k1* until 4 (1, 4) sts remain, k to end

Row 9 (Color A) – k7 (k4, k6), *(sl 1, k3) twice, sl 1, k1, sl 1, k5* ending last repeat with k7 (k4, k7)

Row 13 (Color A) – k5 (k2, k4), *(sl 1, k3) twice, sl 1, k1, sl 1, k3, sl 1, k1* until 4 (1, 4) sts remain, k to end

Rows 15 and 31 (Color B) – k6 (k3, k5), *sl 1, k3* until 3 (0,3) sts remain, k to end

Row 17 (Color A) – k5 (k2, k4) *(sl 1, k1, sl 1, k3) twice, sl 1, k3* until 4 (1, 4) sts remain, k to end

Row 21 (Color A) – k7 (k4, k6), *sl 1, k1, sl 1, k5, (sl 1, k3) twice* ending last repeat with k5 (k2, k5)

Row 23 (Color B) – k6 (k3, k5), *sl 1, k3, sl 2, k1, sl 2, k3, sl 1, k3* until 3 (0, 3) sts remain, k to end

Row 25 (Color A) – k5 (k2, k4), *sl 1, k3, sl 1, k5, sl 1, k1, sl 1, k3* until 4 (1, 4) sts remain, k to end

Row 29 (Color A) – k7 (k4, k6), *(sl 1, k3, sl 1, k1) twice, sl 1, k3* ending last repeat with k5 (k2, k5)

Be sure to work Row 32 as Row 2!

Continue working until work measures 36″ (48″, 60″) from cast-on edge, ending with Row 16 or Row 32.

Charts

Recommended border stitches for each pattern are outlined in black. I’ve noted these in the charts in case you’d like to incorporate these stitches into another project. They add polish to the edges and ensure the first and last stitch of each row is never slipped.

For each size, these recommended border stitches will be the same.

Additional border stitches for the Spring Stitch Sampler Afghan are outlined twice. These stitches were incorporated to ensure that the blanket was uniform in size from stitch to stitch since the repeats vary.

The number of additional border stitches will vary by size. If no additional border stitches were necessary, that has been noted in the chart.

How to Use the Charts

If you need a refresher on using charts, visit our Introduction to Mosaic Knitting.

Working from right to left, work any stitches outlined on the right hand side once.

Work the center stitches, then repeat them.

Work any stitches outlined on the left hand side once.

For example, with the size small chart below, you will work Row 1 as follows:
Knit 4 stitches (outlined on the right).
Knit 1 stitch, slip 1 stitch, knit 3 stitches, slip 1 stitch, knit 1 stitch, slip 1 stitch, knit 3 stitches, slip 1 stitch, knit 3 stitches, slip 1 stitch. Repeat these 16 stitches until 5 stitches remain (outlined on the left).
Knit 5 stitches.

Color Choice

Are you using different colors, using more than 2 colors, or swapping the placement of Color A and Color B?
This swatch can help you anticipate the look of your work.

In the photo above, the stitch is worked two ways on a single swatch:
(1) bottom – white cast-on and setup row, blue stitches beginning with Row 1
(2) top – blue setup row, white stitches beginning with Row 1

The Row 1 color will be the color of the keys.
The setup row will be the color that frames the keys.

Video

Finishing

With Color A, knit one row.

BO all sts kwise on the next row.

Weave in ends and block lightly if desired.

Share your work with us!

When you’re done, please share your work in our Facebook group. I’d love to see what you made!