Scale Mail Knitting

I use the following stitches to add scales to my knitted projects, creating a flexible lightweight scale mail fabric with the scales integrated into the material.

The scales are added one at a time as the fabric is worked, so there is no need to pre-plan and pre-string scales onto your yarn as required for some beaded knitting methods. This also means that mistakes, though somewhat fiddly, can be fixed similarly to standard knitting - some tips on this are in the works.

Scale mail can be knit flat or in the round, and each tutorial page includes links to some patterns that use that technique for inspiration!

How to add a scale using a modified knit stitch.

This technique is used in several of my more beginner friendly scale mail patterns.

How to add a scale using a modified purl stitch.

This technique is used in my more advanced scale mail patterns, particularly ones worked in the round.

How to secure a large scale purlwise, preventing it from easily flapping around.

This technique is used in my pangolin pattern to ensure the large scales are securely attached.