‘Petranese’ explained – Spike and Split Spike Stitches

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Spike Stitches

Spike stitches (Spst) are a variation/extension of the sc. While a sc is worked into the previous round, spike stitches are worked into a stitch 2 or more rounds below.

How to work a Spike stitch

Insert the hook into the indicated stitch, yarn over and pull the loop up to the level of the current round, finish as a normal sc encompassing everything in between.

Spike stitches can be straight down or angular. They are worked next to an already existing stitch into the same top loops.

Angular Spike Stitches

Working an angular Spike stitch into a stitch 2 or more rounds below
– i.e. Sp_+2-3

Spst_+2-3 – sc as spike stitch into the indicated stitch 2 stitches ahead and 3 rounds below the next stitch

On the right side of your work, insert the hook into the indicated stitch

There is already a stitch in these loops, just add the spike st next to it

The yarn stays behind the work

The hook will appear BETWEEN two 3rd loops on the wrong side

Catch yarn and pull through; the yarn loop is on the right side of your work

Pull this yarn loop up to the level of the current round

Yarn over and finish the sc by pulling the yarn through both loops on the hook

There will be long loops on the right and on the wrong side of the work

The stitch under the spike stitch (indicated) will be encompassed –

This stitch is skipped because it is replaced by the spike stitch

Pull the finished spike stitch to the side to cover the stitch it replaces and work the next stitch (indicated) as instructed

Straight Down Split Spike Stitches

Working a split spike stitch straight down
– i.e. spSp_+0-3

spSp_+0-3 – sc as split Spike stitch into the st 3 rounds below the next stitch

On the right side of your work, go to the place indicated in the stitch definition to make the split spike stitch

Insert the hook BETWEEN the 2 vertical bars of the sc (indicated)

The hook will appear UNDERNEATH the 3rd loop on the wrong side of the work

Catch yarn and pull through, then pull the loop up to the level of the current round

Finish as a normal sc

1 – normal sc into round -1

2 – split Spike st into round -2

3 – split Spike st into round -3

4 – split Spike st into round -4

5 – split Spike st into round -5

Angular Split Spike Stitches

Working an angular split spike stitch into the sc of 2 or more rounds below
– i.e. spSp_-2-3

spSp_-2-3 – sc as split Spike stitch into the stitch 2 behind and 3 rounds below the next stitch

On the right side of your work, go to the place indicated in the stitch definition to make the split Spike stitch

Insert the hook BETWEEN the 2 vertical bars of the sc (indicated)

The hook appears UNDERNEATH the 3rd loop on the wrong side of the work

Catch yarn and pull through; the yarn loop is on the right side of your work

Pull this yarn loop up to the level of the current round

Finish as a normal sc

Note: When working long forward angular spike or split spike stitches, it is helpful to place a st marker in the next st you are supposed to work into. It makes finding this st easier.