I loved the look of this pattern but delayed working it, assuming making 6 stitches out of a double yarn over would give me trouble. It was easier than I thought and knitted up quicker than I thought!
This 16-row repeat pattern is from 1902 Butterick’s Fancy and Practical Knitting, p.43. The number of stitches per row varies, starting with 22 stitches, increases gradually to 30 stitches, then back to 22 stitches in row 16.
Top and bottom borders are needed if you want a straight top and bottom edge. I converted the first and last stitch of every row to selvage stitches for a tidier look and also to make sewing edges easier, if needed. I recommend pointier needles to help with the “make 6”. My swatch is 3 inches wide.
The Mikado was a very popular 1885 comic opera by Gilbert and Sullivan. “Mikado” also refers to the Japanese emperor.

Skills needed: cast on, slip, knit, purl, YO, double YO, k2tog, SSK, k3tog, p2tog and bind off in knit stitch.

Gauge is not important in this pattern. Any block-able yarn/thread will work. Make a swatch to check gauge and appearance.

44 yards of Aunt Lydia’s #10 crochet cotton thread will make 10 inches of a Mikado strip at gauge.