The Weekly Swatch: Bulb Vine Lace Knit Stitch Pattern

The Bulb Vine Lace Knit Stitch is suitable for a wide variety of yarn weights, creating both an interesting texture and a dainty lace motif at the same time. The motif resembles bulbs on a vine and it looks more complicated than it actually is. 

The stitch is knitted on a multiple of 9 plus two stitches over 16 rows. The stitch count will vary from row to row. Decreases are worked on rows 5 and 13 by knitting 9 stitches together (k9tog and ssk9). 

Bulb Vine Lace Knit Stitch Pattern

The Weekly Swatch: Mini Horseshoe Lace Knit Stitch Pattern

 

Another simple, four-row-repeat knit stitch to add to the collection, the Mini Horseshoes Lace Knit Stitch. 

The stitch requires a multiple of 6 plus 1 stitches and produces of what appear to be columns of tiny horseshoes. It's similar in appearance to the Horseshoe Lace Knit Stitch, but much simpler.  

The Weekly Swatch: Lattice Lace Knit Stitch Pattern

  

Time for a traditional lace knit stitch. 

The Lattice Lace knit stitch requires a multiple of 6 plus 3 stitches and is knitted over 8 rows. All of the wrong side rows are purled throughout. 

Lattice Lace Knit Stitch

The Weekly Swatch: Lace Diamond Knit Stitch Pattern

 

In this swatch, I have prepared a sample of the Lace Diamond Knit Stitch. 

Diamond motifs are ever popular and this is a simple lace version. The stitch utilises the most common in- and decreases, requires a multiple of 10 plus 2 stitches and is knitted over 16 rows. 

All of the wrong side rows are purled. If a double yarn over (yo) is worked on the preceding right side row, the second yarn over is purled through the back loop (ptbl) on the following wrong side row. 

 

The Weekly Swatch: Ostrich Plume Lace Knit Stitch

 

A variation on the classic and ever popular Feather and Fan knit stitch, the Ostrich Plume lace knit stitch is just as eye-catching, but lesser known. 

The pattern for this version of the stitch requires a multiple of sixteen plus one stitches and is worked over thirty-two rows. The lace sequence is worked into the motif over eight rows and in-between it's just relaxing rows of knit and purl.  

 

The Weekly Swatch: (Simple) Shell Lace Knit Stitch

 

Carrying on with shell motifs, here we have the simple Shell Lace Knit Stitch. It's a fun, versatile stitch, that can be memorised easily after a few repeats. 

If you are considering incorporating this stitch motif into a project, please bear in mind that this stitch has a tendency to slant, especially when worked over a larger area. 

For this shell stitch, all wrong side rows are purled throughout and the stitch motif is created with yarn over increases and psso (pass slipped stitch over) decreases on the right side rows. 

The stitch requires a multiple of 7 plus 2 stitches and is knitted over 12 rows. 

The Weekly Swatch: Diagonal Shell Lace Knit Stitch

I'm totally in love with shell stitch motifs at the moment. 

In this post, I have prepared a couple of swatches of the Diagonal Shell Lace Stitch. This stitch looks good in just about any yarn weight. 

It requires a multiple of 6 plus 2 stitches and is knitted over 10 rows. The motif of diagonally slanting shells is created through yarn over increases and k2tog and p2tog decreases on both the wrong and right side rows.

Diagonal Shell Lace Knit Stitch

The Weekly Swatch: Herringbone Eyelet Knit Stitch

 

Time for simple lace knitting. In this week's instalment of the weekly swatch, I have prepared samples of the Herringbone Eyelet Lace Knit Stitch

It's a relaxing lace knit stitch, which is knitted over twelve rows. All right side rows are purled and the lace motif is created over six rows with each lace row being repeated three times on the wrong side rows. 

Herringbone Eyelet Lace Knit Stitch

The Weekly Swatch: Faggot and Chevron Rib Knit Stitch

 

Another simple lace knit stitch motif to add to the collection, the Faggot and Chevron Rib Knit Stitch. The stitch requires a multiple of seven stitches and is knitted over two rows.

Faggot and Chevron Rib Knit Stitch

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.

The Weekly Swatch: Garland Lace Knit Stitch

 

With the Garland Lace Knit Stitch I am returning to simple, traditional lace in this instalment of the weekly swatch. 

The Garland Knit Stitch is a simple beginner lace knit stitch. The motif is created over sixteen rows, requires a multiple of 6 plus 1 stitches and all wrong side rows are purled throughout. 

The Weekly Swatch: Faggot Knit Stitch

 

I have another 'no purl lace' knit stitch to add to the collection in this week's weekly swatch. 

It's the Faggot Lace Knit Stitch. 

This is an incredibly simple one-row repeat stitch motif, which creates an openwork lace mesh fabric.

More 'no purl' lace knit stitches are available here. 

The Weekly Swatch: Loop Mesh Lace Knit Stitch

This week, I have prepared the Loop Mesh Lace Knit Stitch. Another no purl lace knit stitch to add to the collection.

The stitch motif is created over 3 rows on a multiple of 5 plus 3 stitches and creates an openwork lace mesh without any requirement for purling stitches. 

More no purling lace knit stitches are available here.

Free Lace Choker Knitting Pattern: The Jera Rune Lace and Cable Choker

After an initial test knit and following some minor adjustments to the design, here is, as promised, my new knitting pattern for the Jera Lace and Cable Choker.  

The Jera Choker - A Rune-Inspired Choker Design

As mentioned in a previous post, which is featuring an earlier version of this design, the pattern  for this choker was inspired by the Jera rune, the twelfth rune from the Elder Futhark. 

Jera in its literal translation means ' (good) year' or 'harvest'. 

The Jera rune is a symbol for connection and perpetual movement, representing the seasons and the natural cycle of recurring change at a steady pace and regular intervals. 

With the vernal equinox now behind us, the release of this design celebrates this seasonal flow -  the passing of long, dark nights and short, gloomy days and it welcomes the arrival of spring as we are approaching summer solstice. 

Jera Rune Inspired Lace Choker Knitting Pattern 

Just like my earlier lace choker knitting patterns (the Nameless, the Brocade Choker, the Cascade Choker, and the Virga Choker) the Jera Choker is a quick and beginner-friendly knitting project, incorporating elements of both lace and cable knitting techniques in a quick-to-knit project. The choker can be completed in a day or two, including the time it requires to block the finished piece. It's also ideal for using up tiny amounts of yarn. (For my choker I used approximately 6g to 7g of Scheepjes Maxi Sugar Rush mercerised cotton yarn.)

Jera Rune Inspired Lace Choker Knitting Pattern

The choker's simple elongated cable motif is created over 6 rows, consisting of knit and purl stitches, a variety of standard in-and decreases and by creating elongated stitches, which are subsequently worked as cable stitches. 

The choker is worked on 2mm - 2.5mm double-pointed needles (dpns). I knitted my choker on 2.5mm dpns. It is, of course, absolutely possible to substitute with different yarns, including sock yarn and to adjust the needle size accordingly.

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. 

Jera Rune Lace and Cable Choker Knitting Pattern 

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 piece is secured with the help of two i-cords, which each measure approximately 20cm to 25cm 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.

Jera Rune Lace and Cable Choker Knitting Pattern - I-Cord Detail 

The completed piece should be wet-blocked (to open the lace detail) and left to dry over night. Blocking is absolutely essential for the choker to look its best and I have compiled some hints and tips on special choker blocking techniques. These can be found here. 

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 for using up various types of yarn leftovers.

Jera Rune Lace and Cable Choker Knitting Pattern 

Jera Lace and Cable Choker

Free Knitting Pattern

Materials and Tools

• app. 7g of Scheepjes Maxi Sugar Rush mercerised cotton yarn 
• 2 mm or 2.5 mm double-pointed needles
• cable needle
• 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

Jera Rune Lace and Cable Choker Knitting Pattern 

Knitting Instructions

Cast-On and First I-Cord 

• Cast-on 6 stitches
• Knit an i-cord that measures approximately 25cm. 

Increase to Body of Choker:

Row 1 (wrong side): Sl 1 (knitwise), p4, k1. (6 stitches)

Row 2 (right side): Sl1 (knitwise), kfb, k to last two stitches, kfb, k1.(8 stitches) 

Row 3: Sl1 (knitwise), p to last stitch, k1.

Row 4: Sl1 (knitwise), kfb, k to last two stitches, kfb, k1. (10 stitches) 

Row 5: Sl1 (knitwise), p to last stitch, k1.

Row 6: Sl1 (knitwise), kfb, k to last two stitches, kfb, k1. (12 stitches) 

Row 7: Sl1 (knitwise), p to last stitch, k1.

Row 8: Sl1 (knitwise), kfb, k to last two stitches, kfb, k1. (14 stitches) 

Row 9: Sl1 (knitwise), p to last stitch, k1.

Row 10: Sl1 (knitwise), kfb, k to last two stitches, kfb, k1. (16 stitches) 

Row 11: Sl1 (knitwise), p to last stitch, k1.

Row 12: Sl1 (knitwise), kfb, k to last two stitches, kfb, k1. (18 stitches) 

Row 13: Sl1 (knitwise), p to last stitch, k1.

Body of Choker - Lace Pattern 

Row 1 (right side): Sl1 (knitwise), k2tog, yo, k to last 3 stitches, yo, ssk, k1.

Row 2 : Sl1 (knitwise), p to last stitch, k1.   

Row 3: Sl1 (knitwise), k2tog, yo, k 1, *wrap yarn round the needle twice, k1, rep. from * to last 3 stitches, yo, ssk, k1.

Row 4: Sl1 (knitwise), p2, *slide next 6 stitches from left-hand needle to right-hand needle, dropping the extra loops created on previous row, return 3 stitches to left-hand needle, place the 3 remaining elongated stitches on the right-hand needle from the right hand needle onto a cable needle and hold at back of work, p3 elongated stitches from left-hand needle, p3 elongated stitches from cable needle, repeat from * to last three stitches, p2, k1.   

Row 5: Sl1 (knitwise), k2tog, yo, k to last 3 stitches, yo, ssk, k1.

Row 6: Sl1 (knitwise), p to last stitch, k1.

Row 7: Sl1 (knitwise), k2tog, yo, k to last 3 stitches, yo, ssk, k1.

Row 8: Sl1 (knitwise), p to last stitch, k1.

Repeat Rows 3 to 8 for pattern.

For a choker body measuring 27cm repeat the above lace sequence x 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 and after completion of the final lace cable pattern repeat, work 2 more rows in above pattern: 

Row 1 (right side): Sl1 (knitwise), k2tog, yo, k to last 3 stitches, yo, ssk, k1.

Row 2 : Sl1 (knitwise), p to last stitch, k1.  

Next, proceed to decrease the total stitch count before working the second i-cord.

Decrease to Second I-Cord

Row 1 : Sl1 (knitwise), k2tog, k to last 3 sts, ssk, k1. (16 stitches) 

Row 2: Sl1 (knitwise), p to last stitch, k1.   

Row 3 : Sl1 (knitwise), k2tog, k to last 3 sts, ssk, k1. (14 stitches) 

Row 4:  Sl1 (knitwise), p to last stitch, k1.   

Row 5:  Sl1 (knitwise), k2tog, k to last 3 sts, ssk, k1. (12 stitches) 

Row 6: Sl1 (knitwise), p to last stitch, k1.  

Row 7:  Sl1 (knitwise), k2tog, k to last 3 sts, ssk, k1. (10 stitches) 

Row 8: Sl1 (knitwise), p to last stitch, k1.  

Row 9:  Sl1 (knitwise), k2tog, k to last 3 sts, ssk, k1. (8 stitches) 

Row 10: Sl1 (knitwise), p to last stitch, k1.  

Row 11:  Sl1 (knitwise), k2tog, k to last 3 sts, ssk, k1. (6 stitches) 

Row 12: Sl1 (knitwise), p to last stitch, k1.  

When the total stitch count has reached 6 stitches, knit the 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.  

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

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, the pattern for the Cascade Lace Choker is available here and the pattern for the Virga Choker is available here and here (for the beaded version).

Nameless Choker:

Brocade Choker

Virga Coker and Virga Beaded Choker

Cascade Choker

© 2021 Clarice Asquith. All rights reserved. http://makedoandmendnovice.blogspot.com

Introducing the Jera Choker: A Rune - Inspired Free Lace Choker Knitting Pattern

It's been a productive weekend in crafting terms. The first test knit of my new choker knitting pattern is finished, blocked and I have finally decided on a name for this design. Looking at the lace pattern motif, which is achieved by a series of elongated cable knit stitches, I was somehow reminded of the Jera rune, the twelfth rune from the Elder Futhark, which in its literal translation means ' (good) year' or 'harvest'. 

Made up of two separate charachters, which appear to spin around one another from the centre, this rune symbolises connection and perpetual movement, representing the recurring seasons and the natural cycle of  perpetual change at a steady pace and regular intervals. 

How to block a knitted I-Cord or ...a new way to block an I-Cord

I am currently working on a new choker pattern, which will be up on the blog very soon. The new choker design (no name yet, and I am having a hard time finding one...) is a quick and simple lace project, which incorporates a cable stitch motif with some simple lace.

The Weekly Swatch: Garter Lace Diamonds

Sticking to the diamond motif from last week's swatch, for this week I have prepared another knit stitch featuring diamonds, the Garter Lace Diamond Knit Stitch, a lace knit stitch which requires absolutely no purling. :-)