Chinese Waves Stitch

Chinese waves is a simple slip-stitch pattern that pulls a plain ground into soft, regular scallops. On the pattern rows you slip a few stitches with the yarn held to the front, so a short float lies across the surface, and because the slipped stitches are worked normally on a later row the tension draws the fabric together at those points and lets it billow between them, forming gentle waves. Set on a garter or reverse ground and offset row to row, the waves ripple across the whole fabric with a subtle, watery movement. It is genuinely easy, using only knits, purls, and slipped stitches with a single colour, yet it looks considered and has a pleasant dense drape. That makes it a good, quick choice for scarves, blankets, cowls, and washcloths. Keep the carried floats relaxed so the fabric can wave without puckering, and slip the stitches purlwise so they sit smoothly. The wrong side stays plainer while the right side shows the waves.