A decorative stitch pattern that draws fabric together into a cellular, hexagonal grid. In smocking, it is worked on pleated fabric by alternately catching adjacent pleats together at staggered depths. In knitting, slipped stitches and cables are used to form the deep, textured hollows that give the fabric immense elasticity and warmth.
Heard on the job
I'm using a honeycomb stitch for the bodice of the baby dress so it has plenty of stretch.
Related terms
Smocking
An embroidery technique that gathers fabric into tight pleats and secures them with decorative stitches.
Cable
A raised knitting pattern created by crossing groups of stitches over one another to form twisted ropes.
Pleat
A permanent fold created by doubling fabric back upon itself and securing it in place.