Q: How do I create a punchcard for SSK | YO| k2tog | PSSO? Answer:
Actually, you don't punch a card for these stitches.These are hand knitting terms for eyelet lace (see below)
When knitting any stitch pattern on an automatic patterning machine, it's important to understand that punchcards (and electronics) are binary... On/off ... black/white etc. ... 1/2
The holes only give the machine instruction to select or deselect needles. The punchcard DOES NOT determine what type of stitch pattern you will knit. It's the carriage settings that determine what happens to the needles.
In the example, every other needle is being selected. Carriage set to:
Tuck | Pull Up - every other needle will tuck (working yarn travels OVER the tucked needles)
Slip | Skip - Every other needle will slip (working yarn travels UNDER the slipped needles)
Knit-In | Fairisle - Every other needle will knit with a different color (2 colors threaded in the carriage)
Knit it Now Course: 3 steps to mastering automatic patterning on your machine
SSK | YO | k2tog | PSSO are hand knitting terms for creating eyelet lace
To create lace on the machine with a Lace Carriage (standard gauge machine with a separate lace carriage) the punchcards also only select needles. It's the functioning of
the lace carriage that creates the stitches
In the example, the hand knitting chart shows the K2tog, yo and PSSO stitches. They are translated by the punchcard to represent the passes of the lace carriage.
Hand knitting chart symbols translated punchard for a lace carriage
Learn to create lace stitch patterns with Learn DesignaKnit.com
These punchcards are pre-punched with designs for specific stitch patterns like weaving, tuck, slip, lace, or thread lace. They offer quick patterning options without manual setup.
For a deeper dive into how punchcards drive stitch types, explore our Course: Automatic Stitch Patterning .
Do I need a different card for each specialty stitch?
Yes. Each stitch technique (like tuck or weaving) responds to the holes in the card differently. A card punched for tuck may not give a good result if used for slip or weaving.
The Course: Automatic Stitch Patterning course shows how stitch types interact with punchcards.
Can I make my own specialty stitch punchcards?
Absolutely! Many knitters customize punchcards to suit their project or machine. Just be sure to understand how the stitch technique interacts with the punchcard pattern.
If you use DesignaKnit, the Course: DesignaKnit and Lace walks you through creating punchcard-style lace patterns.
Are these punchcards compatible across machines?
Most specialty stitch punchcards are designed for 24-stitch repeat machines. As long as your machine uses 24-stitch punchcards, you can use them—just check the size and advance settings.
Where can I find specialty stitch punchcards?
You may find original manufacturer cards, but many are out of print. Some websites, including Knit It Now, offer digital versions or custom punchcard files for download and use.
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