Openwork stitches create deliberate holes and open areas in your fabric, but they’re completely different from traditional lace. When worked in normal-weight yarns, these stitches become interesting textural elements rather than delicate details. The openings can be tiny and subtle for just a hint of interest, or larger and more noticeable depending on what you’re after. It’s all about the yarn choice and how you want the holes to look in your design.

What makes openwork exciting is how it changes the entire feel of a garment without adding bulk. You can create interesting negative space, add breathability to warmer pieces, or use the openings as design features that catch light beautifully. Whether you want scattered eyelets across a yoke or bold diamond openings down a sleeve, these stitches let you play with transparency and structure in ways that solid stitches simply can’t achieve.