The technique used in this block is entrelac which begins with a foundation of base triangles upon which individually worked rectangles are stacked in tiers worked in alternating directions. Unlike most knitting, the entire number of stitches cast on is never worked all the way across to complete a row. Instead, shorter spans are worked at a time to build this block rectangle by rectangle. There are lots of print and online resources explaining this technique.

Helpful Video Links:
Here is a video that diagrams the flow of the work for Block 12 that may help with understanding the construction of this block:
Technique Overview

Videos illustrating the techniques in this block:
Base Triangles part one: Base Triangles - Part 1 Video

Base Triangles part two: Base Triangles - Part 2 Video

RH Corner Triangle: Right Hand Corner Triangle Video

RS Rectangle pick-up and knit:
Right Side Rectangle pick-up and knit Video

RS Rectangle Row 2:
RS Rectangle Row 2 Video

LH corner Triangle:
LH Corner Triangle Video

WS Rectangle pick up and purl:
WS Rectangle Pick Up and Purl Video

When it says pick up and knit 9 stitches I have more than 9 to choose from; when it says pick up and purl 8 stitches I have more than 8 stitches to choose from—am I doing something wrong?

Frequently the pattern will instruct to pick up and knit 9 stitches when there are more than 9 stitches to choose from or pick up and purl 8 stitches when there are more than 8 to choose from. This is ok and to be expected. Simply choose stitches that are evenly spaced apart to pick up and knit/purl, skipping the extra stitches in between.

Here are two helpful videos:

RS Rectangle pick-up and knit:
Right Side Rectangle Pick Up and Knit Video

WS Rectangle pick up and purl:
Wrong Side Rectangle Pick Up and Purl

What does the pattern mean when it says “turn”?
Turn means to flip the work over to work the opposite side. If you are working a right side (RS) row and the pattern says turn, you will flip the work over to work the wrong side (WS). In most knitting you do this at the end of a row, meaning that all stitches on the left hand needle have been worked. Often times in entrelac just a few of the stitches are worked which leaves unworked stitches on the left hand needle when the pattern tells you to turn. This is because the technique of entrelac uses rows that are shorter than the total stitches cast on, working them in small groups at a time to form rectangles and triangles.

RS Rectangle Row 2:
If you are not getting 11 sts at the end of Row 2, please watch this video:
Right Side Rectangle Row 2 Video

RS and WS Rectangles—stitch count per row:
The stitch count per row when working the RS and WS rectangles will vary, starting with 9 stitches, increasing to 17 stitches and then returning to 9 stitches. This is done to shape the lacy leaf and will still result in rectangles despite the variation.

Stitch counts at the end of each row are as follows:
Row 1: 9 Sts
Row 2: 11 sts
Row 3: 11 sts
Row 4: 13 sts
Row 5: 13 sts
Row 6: 15 sts
Row 7: 15 sts
Row 8: 17 sts
Row 9: 17 sts
Row 10: 15 sts
Row 11: 15 sts
Row 12: 13 sts
Row 13: 13 sts
Row 14: 11 sts
Row 15: 11 sts
Row 16: 9 sts
Row 17: 9 sts
Row 18: 9 sts

Block #12 Helpful Tips for Measuring Gauge
The gauge for this pattern is to be measured over one base triangle and one RS rectangle. A knitter could work all 4 base triangles, the first tier of RS rectangles and then measure gauge over one base triangle and RS Rectangle. A faster way to get a base triangle and RS rectangle to measure would be to do the following:

Cast on 9 sts
Work one base triangle (Base Triangles Rows 1-15 once)
Work RH Corner Triangle Rows 1-15
Work one RS Rectangle (Pickup row plus Rows 1-18)

Measure the bottom edge of your base triangle (the case on edge). Measure the diagonal of the RS Rectangle (bottom left-hand corner to upper RH corner). These measurements should be 2.5 inches after blocking. Adjust needle size if necessary to get gauge.

We’ve added an image to this page to help you with the gauge swatch.

Please note: After 4th WS rectangle and row 18, do not turn, but begin at the ** Right-hand triangle (no need to pick up and purl 9 stitches).