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.
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| 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.
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| Jera Rune Lace and Cable Choker Knitting Pattern |
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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.
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| 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.
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| 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
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| 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.
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).
