Looking for a fun lace pattern to try out this summer? We’ve pulled together a few of our favorite stitches for you to work up. In its simplest form, lace is a decrease (usually k2tog or ssk) paired with an increase (a yarnover) to create holes in your knitting. Sometimes lace will involve a double
Looking for a fun lace pattern to try out this summer? We’ve pulled together a few of our favorite stitches for you to work up. In its simplest form, lace is a decrease (usually k2tog or ssk) paired with an increase (a yarnover) to create holes in your knitting. Sometimes lace will involve a double decrease with yarnovers on either side. When a yarnover is placed far away from its corresponding decrease, it can make the fabric “move” and shift, such as in a feather and fan pattern. When a k2tog and its yarnover are close together but shift over by one stitch each right side row, a diagonal line will be formed by both the yarnovers and also by the defined line of the k2tog.
Have you ever seen a lace pattern that you like the look of but aren’t crazy about the finished item? No problem! It can be easy as cake to use a lace pattern in a simple item like a scarf or rectangular shawl. Just take a look at number of stitches required in each lace repeat, cast on a multiple of stitches that works, add a few stitches to each side for edging, and you’re good to go!
Below are a few examples of lace repeats taken from projects, and put into a simple rectangular form. The yarns used in these swatches are different than the yarn originally used in order to show just how much the look of the pattern can change. We promise; once you start, you won’t be able to stop knitting lace!
Diamond Shawl from April 2017
Yarn: Cotton Supreme (originally in Universe)
Notes: The small lace motifs in this project make it easy to mix and match to create your own unique scarf.
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Leafy Lace Tee from April 2015
Yarn: Whisper Lace (originally Flax)
Notes: This lace stitch is very graphic looking with its diagonal lines traveling outward from the center. The repeats are only a few stitches wide, making it easy to customize the size of your finished project. Fringe on each end can be a nice touch, too!
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Elderberry Leaves Cardigan from June 2016
Original Yarn: Kelbourne Mojave (original yarn Garden 5)
Notes: Just a single repeat of the lace pattern is shown to illustrate the movement of the fabric. Lace is worked on both RS and WS rows in this lace pattern making it a bit challenging. But it’s so pretty! The original yarn had a slight sheen to it, while Kelbourne Mojave gives an earthy look.
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Willow Crescent Shawlette from June 2015
Yarn: Radiant Cotton (originally Little Bird)
Notes: Radiant Cotton gives a dressed-up look to this swatch. The original pattern used this stitch as a border along the edge of a crescent shawl. But this would look beautiful as an all-over pattern placed on a summer scarf. Optional tassels at each edge give a polished, upscale look.
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