I wrote this up for a reader having trouble with the Bramble Bag and thought it might be useful to pop it here too.

Bramble Stitch Tutorial
(ref. http://www.berroco.com/exclusives/bramble_bag/bramble_bag.html)

PATTERN STITCH (Multiple of 3 sts + 2)
Note: At the beg of Rows 2 and 4, pull yarn up as tightly as possible. This helps keep that edge tight.

Row 1 (RS): With A, k1, * k3, pass first of the 3 sts just knit over the 2nd and 3rd sts, rep from * to last st, end k1 – 66 sts.

Insert left needle back under 1st of 3 stitches knitted…

… then pass it over the 2nd and 3rd stitches knitted, so it looks like this:

This creates a gap, which is where the mysterious ‘running thread’ lies.

Row 2: With B, p1, * insert needle from behind under the running thread between the st just worked and the next and purl this thread, p2, rep from * to last st, end p1 – 98 sts.

This is the tricky bit – finding that ‘running thread’. This foundation Row 2 is probably the trickiest, but subsequent Row 2’s and Row 4’s are much easier, as the thread is more obvious. Look in the gap you made in the previous row for a stitch that you can pull up. In this foundation Row 2, you might find it easier to pick up the ‘running thread’ with the right needle – pick it up by inserting the right needle into the thread from the back to the front…

…then place it over onto the left needle, ready for purling:

Purl this picked up ‘thread’, then the next 2 stitches, and you’ll be at the next gap. Repeat across the row.

Row 3: With B, k2, * k3, pass first of the 3 sts just knit over the 2nd and 3rd sts, rep from * across – 66 sts.

As with Row 1, knit 3 stitches, then pass it over the 2nd and 3rd stitches knitted, so it looks like this:

Row 4: With A, p2, * insert needle from behind under the running thread between the st just worked and the next and purl this thread, p2, rep from * across – 98 sts.

From Row 4 on, you’ll find that ‘running thread’ is a bit more obvious. You can also easily pick it up with the left needle – inserting it from back to front and lifting it onto that left needle, ready for purling:

Rep these 4 rows for Patt St.

Then you’ll end up with this – TA DAH!