How to Knit the Iron Stitch — Add Strength & Texture with Wire & Yarn

The Knitted Iron Stitch is a textured knitting technique that pairs yarn with a thin wire to create a fabric that’s both decorative and more durable than ordinary knitwear. It’s well suited to small accessories and jewelry as well as accent pieces for homeware — anywhere you want extra structure and a metallic edge to the stitch texture. Below you’ll find a brief overview, materials, stitch abbreviations and the basic pattern to get started.

Knitting materials and tools:

• DPN 4 mm (UK 8 or US 6)
• Knit Picks, Simply Wool (Bulky) – 100% Eco Wool. 100 grams - 193 yards per skein

Common abbreviations of knit stitches:

• k – knit
• p – purl
• st(s) – stitch(es)
• sel s – selvage stitch: always slip the first stitch knitwise, work to the last stitch, purl the last stitch

Iron knit stitch instructions:

Cast on a multiple of 4 sts, plus 1 extra sts, plus 2 selvage stitches.

Row 1: sel s, *k1, p3 – repeat from *, k1, sel s.

Row 2: sel s, p1 *k1, p1 – repeat from *, sel s.

Repeat Rows 1-2 to form pattern.

Tips:

• Work evenly but gently when incorporating wire so the fabric lies flat; keep a consistent tension between the yarn and the wire.
• Practice a small swatch first to become comfortable handling the wire alongside yarn and to check gauge.
• Handle wire ends carefully and tuck or finish them securely when incorporating into finished pieces.