Free Knitting Pattern: Cascade Lace Choker (One-Piece I-Cord Version)

- These are the pattern instructions for the one-piece i-cord version of the Cascade Choker. The pattern for the Cascade Choker with attached / grafted i-cords is available here. -  

I recently finished another Cascade Choker and rather than attaching i-cords to the choker after knitting the body of the choker, I decided to knit the i-cords directly at the beginning and at the end of the project to achieve a more organic look. 

This lace 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 choker requires approximately 5g of Scheepjes Maxi Sugar Rush mercerised cotton yarn and is worked on 2mm - 2.5mm double-pointed needles (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. 

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. Beads can be attached to the ends of the i-cords for a more sophisticated finish.

The completed piece should be wet-blocked (to open the lace detail) and left to dry over night. 

If you decide to substitute the mercerised cotton with another type of yarn, the number of lace repeats will 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.

Cascade Lace Choker (i-cord version)

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 Cascade Choker below will produce a piece which measures 27cm in length (body of the choker after blocking) and the i-cords each measure around 20cm  to 25cm in length. For a choker body measuring 27cm, you will work approximately 20 repeats of the lace sequence when knitting the body of the choker. Adjust the number of lace repeats and the length of the i-cords 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 knitting needles (The i-cords at the beginning and end of the project require five stitches and a double-pointed needle. I therefore suggest knitting the entire project on dpns rather than transferring the piece.)
• 1.5 mm crochet hook / fine darning needle (for sewing-in yarn ends and attaching beads at the ends of the i-cords)
• 2 beads for securing the ends of the i-cords (optional)
• blocking utensils

 

Knitting Instructions

Cast-On and First I-Cord 

• Cast-on 5 stitches

• Knit an i-cord that measures approximately 20cm. Though I'm sure, most knitters are familiar with the concept of the basic i-cord, here is a very brief recap: After knitting all 5 cast-on stitches, the work is not turned. Instead, the working yarn is returned to the beginning of the row for the next knit row, thus creating a knitted tube. 
• When your i-cord has reached the required length, start with the increases. 

Increases to Body of Choker 

The lace motif of the Cascade Choker will be worked on a background of reverse stockinette stitch. To achieve a smooth transition from the increase section to the lace body of the choker in keeping with the background of reverse stockinette stitch, the increases should be worked in reverse stockinette stitch as well.  

In the instructions below, the ensuing purl rows in the increase section of the choker will be the right side of the work. The knit rows, where the kfb (knit in front and back of stitch) increases are placed, will be the wrong side. It is, of course, entirely possible to knit this section of the choker in stockinette by working the increases on the right side and then moving on to knit the body of the choker in reverse stockinette. 

Increases: 

Row 1 (right side): K1, p3, k1.

Row 2 (wrong side): K1, kfb, k1, kfb, k1. (7 stitches) 

Row 3: K1, p5, k1. 

Row 4: K1, kfb, k3, kfb, k1. (9 stitches) 

Row 5: k1, p7, k1.

Row 6: K1, kfb, k5, kfb, k1. (11 stitches) 

Row 7: k1, p9, k1.

Row 8: K1, kfb, k7, kfb, k1. (13 stitches) 

Row 9: k1, p11, k1.

Row 10: K1, kfb, k9, kfb, k1. (15 stitches) 

Row 11: k1, p13, k1.

Row 12: K1, kfb, k13, kfb, k1. (17 stitches) 

Choker Body (Lace pattern):

Row 1 (right side): K1, p3, *k3, yo, p3, rep from * to last stitch, k1.

Row 2 : K4, *p4, k3, rep from * to last stitch, k1. 

Row 3: K1, P3, *k1, k2tog, yo, k1, p3, rep from * to last stitch, k1.

Row 4: K4, *p2, p2tog, k3, rep from * to last stitch, k1.

Row 5: K1, p3, *k1, yo, k2tog, p3, rep from * last stitch, k1.

Row 6: K4, *p3, k3, rep from * to last stitch, k1.

Repeat Rows 1 to 6 for pattern.

For a choker body measuring app. 27cm, you will work approximately 20 repeats of the lace motif. 

Decreases to I-Cord

After ending the lace sequence on the last row of the lace pattern, the first row of the decrease row is a right side (purl) row. The k2tog (knit 2 together) / ssk (slip slip knit) decreases will be worked on the wrong side rows (knit rows). 

Proceed with the decreases as follows: 

Row 1 (right side): K1, p15, k1. (17 stitches) 

Row 2 (wrong side): K1, k2tog, k11, ssk, k1. (15 stitches) 

Row 3: K1, p13, k1.

Row 4: K1, k2tog, k9, ssk, k1. (13 stitches) 

Row 5: K1, p11, k1.

Row 6: K1, k2tog, k7, ssk, k1. (11 stitches) 

Row 7: K1, p9, k1.

Row 8: K1, k2tog, k5, ssk, k1. (9 stitches) 

Row 9: K1, p7, k1.

Row 10: K1, k2tog, k3, ssk, k1. (7 stitches) 

Row 11: K1, p5, k1.

Row 12: K1, k2tog, k1, ssk, k1. (5 stitches) 

When the final decrease on a wrong side row (knit row) is complete, proceed to knit the second i-cord, as described above; and when the second i-cord has reached the desired length, bind off all stitches, attach beads at the end of the i-cords and block the piece. 

Enjoy.

Should you require pattern support, please feel free to contact me via Ravelry, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, by e-mail or leave a comment below.

If you fancy knitting another choker, please take a look at my other lace choker patterns: 

The pattern for my Nameless Choker is available here. 

Nameless Choker

The pattern for the Brocade Lace Choker is available here. 

Brocade Lace Choker 

The pattern for the Jera Rune Lace Choker is available here. 

Jera Rune Choker

The pattern for the Virga Choker is available here and here (for the beaded version).

Virga Choker

All my patterns are 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.

© 2022 Clarice Asquith. All rights reserved. http://makedoandmendnovice.blogspot.com