As an in-between project I finished another lace choker, the Virga Choker, and my free pattern is available below.
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| Virga - Knitted Lace Choker |
I was inspired to knit a choker in this lace pattern when looking at in-progress project photos of my Virga shawl (pictured below, more information here), an upcoming pattern for a semi-circular lace shawl, which will be published on the blog soon.
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| Virga Lace Shawl (in progress, before blocking) |
When I took the photos of the shawl, the dressmaker's dummy still had my Cascade choker wrapped around the neck and I got the idea to make a choker in the same lace pattern as the Virga shawl.
The result of this endeavour is my Virga choker.
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| Virga Lace Choker |
The Virga choker is constructed a little differently, when compared to my previous choker patterns, and there is a second version of the Virga choker pattern, which incorporates instructions for some basic beadwork. If you are looking for an easy beginner-level beadwork project, the instructions for the beaded version of the Virga choker can be found here.
Just like my earlier lace choker knitting patterns (the Nameless, the Brocade Choker and the Cascade Choker), the Virga Choker is a quick and uncomplicated lace project, ideal for using up tiny amounts of yarn and, if you decide to knit the beaded version of the Virga Choker, this can serve as a beginner-friendly introduction to beaded lacework.
The choker can be completed in a day or two, including the time it requires to block the finished piece. (Blocking is absolutely essential to open up the lace.)
The Virga choker's simple lace motif is knitted over 12 rows, consisting of knit and purl stitches and a variety of standard in-and decreases.
The piece requires approximately 5g of Scheepjes Maxi Sugar Rush mercerised cotton yarn and is worked on 2mm - 2.5mm double-pointed needles (dpns). I knitted my choker on 2.5mm dpns.
Though it is possible to knit the choker on wood or bamboo needles, I recommend the use of pointy, metallic dpns, especially if you are opting for the use of mercerised cotton yarn with this pattern. This will make the knitting experience much more enjoyable.
The length of the choker can be adjusted easily for different neck circumferences and I recommend you check the fit whilst knitting. Altogether, you should ensure that the body of the choker covers around 80% - 85% of the neck before the piece is blocked.
The choker is secured with the help of two i-cords, which each measure approximately 20cm in length. These will be tied to a bow to secure the choker. Beads can be attached to the ends of the i-cords for a more sophisticated finish.
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| Virga Lace Choker - I-Cord Detail |
The completed piece should be wet-blocked (to open the lace detail) and left to dry over night.
Depending on your chosen needle size and whether you decide to substitute the mercerised cotton with another type of yarn, the number of lace repeats might differ. As you can check the fit whilst knitting, this should not be a major issue, making this project ideally suited to using up all types of yarn leftovers.
Virga Lace Choker
Free Knitting Pattern
Measurements
Before starting this project, measure your neck circumference. The lace body of your choker should cover around 80% to 85% of your neck and it will be secured with two i-cords, which should be long enough to tie a bow comfortably.
The knitting instructions for the Virga Choker below will produce a piece which measures 27cm (body of the choker after blocking) and the i-cords each measure around 20cm in length. For a choker body measuring 27cm, you will work approximately 8 to 9 repeats of the lace sequence when knitting the body of the choker, depending on needle size and yarn. Adjust the number of lace repeats for a shorter or longer piece.
Materials and Tools
- 5g of Scheepjes Maxi Sugar Rush mercerised cotton yarn
- 2 mm or 2.5 mm double-pointed needles
- 1.5 mm crochet hook / fine darning needle (for sewing-in yarn ends and attaching beads)
- 2 beads for securing the ends of the i-cords (optional)
- Blocking utensils
Instructions
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| Virga Lace Choker - I-Cord Detail |
Cast-on and First I-Cord
- Cast-on 4 stitches
- Knit an i-cord that measures approximately 20cm.
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| In- / Decrease Section - Virga Lace Choker Detail |
Increase to Body of Choker:
Row 1 (wrong side): Sl1(purlwise), p3, (4 stitches)
Row 2 (right side): Sl1 (purlwise), kfb x2, p1 (6 stitches)
Row 3: Sl1(purlwise), p to end
Row 4: Sl1 (purlwise), kfb, k2, kfb, p1 (8 stitches)
Row 5: Sl1(purlwise), p to end
Row 6: Sl1 (purlwise), kfb, k4, kfb, p1 (10 stitches)
Row 7: Sl1(purlwise), p to end
Row 8: Sl1 (purlwise), kfb, k6, kfb, p1 (12 stitches)
Row 9: Sl1(purlwise), p to end
Row 10: Sl1 (purlwise), kfb, k8, kfb, p1 (14 stitches)
Row 11: Sl1(purlwise), p to end
Row 12: Sl1 (purlwise), kfb, k10, kfb, p1 (16 stitches)
Row 13: Sl1(purlwise), p to end
Row 14: Sl1 (purlwise), kfb, k12, kfb, p1 (18 stitches)
Row 15: Sl1(purlwise), p to end
Body of Choker - Lace Pattern
Row 1 (right side): Sl1 (purlwise), p2, k2tog, k5, yo, k1, yo, k2, ssk, p3. (18 sts)
Row 2 : Sl1 (purlwise), k2, p12, k2, p1.
Row 3: Sl1 (purlwise), p2, k2tog, k4, yo, k3, yo, k1, ssk, p3.
Row 4: Sl1 (purlwise), k2, p12, k2, p1.
Row 5: Sl1 (purlwise), p2, k2tog, k3, yo, k5, yo, ssk, p3.
Row 6: Sl1 (purlwise), k2, p12, k2, p1.
Row 7: Sl1 (purlwise), p2, k2tog, k2, yo, k1, yo, k5, ssk, p3.
Row 8: Sl1 (purlwise), k2, p12, k2, p1
Row 9: Sl1 (purlwise), p2, k2tog, k1, yo, k3, yo, k4, ssk, p3.
Row 10: Sl1 (purlwise), k2, p12, k2, p1
Row 11: Sl1 (purlwise), p2, k2tog, yo, k5, yo, k3, ssk, p3.
Row 12: Sl1 (purlwise), k2, p12, k2, p1
Repeat Rows 1 to 12 for pattern.
For a choker body measuring 27cm repeat the above lace sequence 8 - 9 times. Adjust the number of repeats according to your own requirements and check the fit whilst knitting.
When the body of the choker has reached the desired length, begin decreasing the stitch count.
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| In- / Decrease Section - Virga Lace Choker Detail |
Decrease to second I-Cord
Row 1 : Sl1 (purlwise), k2tog, k12, ssk, p1. (16 stitches)
Row 2: Sl1 (purlwise), p to end
Row 3 : Sl1 (purlwise), k2tog, k10, ssk, p1. (14 stitches)
Row 4: Sl1 (purlwise), p to end
Row 5: Sl1 (purlwise), k2tog, k8, ssk, p1. (12 stitches)
Row 6: Sl1 (purlwise), p to end
Row 7: Sl1 (purlwise), k2tog, k6, ssk, p1. (10 stitches)
Row 8: Sl1 (purlwise), p to end
Row 9: Sl1 (purlwise), k2tog, k4, ssk, p1. (8 stitches)
Row 10: Sl1 (purlwise), p to end
Row 11: Sl1 (purlwise), k2tog, k2, ssk, p1. (6 stitches)
Row 12: Sl1 (purlwise), p to end
Row 8: Sl1 (purlwise), k2tog, ssk, p1. (4 stitches)
When the total stitch count has reached 4 stitches, proceed to knit a second I-cord, equal in length to the initial I-cord and bind off.
Attach beads to the ends of both I-Cords. (optional)
Finishing:
- Weave-in all yarn ends and block the piece to ensure the lace is fully opened up.
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| Virga Lace Choker - Lace Motif Detail |
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| Virga Lace Choker - Lace Motif Detail |
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| Virga Lace Choker |
This pattern is for personal use only and may not be reproduced for commercial purposes without permission. Neither may you sell any items made from the directions in this pattern.
Should you wish to knit another of my chokers, the pattern for my Nameless Choker is available here, the pattern for the Brocade Lace Choker is available here and the pattern for the Cascade Lace Choker is available here.
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