5 Essential Tips for Lace Knitting
Does the idea of lace knitting scare you? I get it, I’ve been there! My first lace project left me feeling under-prepared, but now lace is one of my favorite things to knit. Follow these five essential tips to ensure your first lace knitting project is a success!
5 Essential Tips for Lace Knitting
1/ Block Your Swatch
Creating a swatch is crucial, especially for lace knitting. The combination of yarnovers and decreases causes the stitch pattern to "bloom" after wet blocking. Wet blocking involves soaking your knit piece, then laying it flat to dry using pins or blocking wires to enhance the stitch pattern and reach the desired measurements. This process allows lace stitches to bloom and softens the yarnovers and decreases. Bonus tip: use blocking wires to create crisp edges, making seaming easier.
2/ Understand Pattern Repeats
Knitting stitch patterns are broken into repeatable sections called multiples. At the start of any stitch pattern, you'll see a guide for how many stitches to cast on. For example:
Multiple of 7 + 2
Mult of 7 + 2 + 4 (where the +4 is additional selvage stitches along each side of the pattern)
Ensure your gauge swatch includes more than one repeat of the lace pattern, ideally where your gauge swatch can measure at least 6” by 6”.
This helps you measure accurately, learn to "read your knitting," and see if your yarn and needle combination suit the lace pattern.
3/ Use Selvage Stitches
Add 4 selvage stitches to your lace pattern's required stitches. For example, "Multiple of 7 + 2 + 4" becomes "Multiple of 7 + 6." These extra 4 stitches create a stockinette stitch and garter stitch at each edge. Stockinette stitch is used for seaming, and garter stitch is used for blocking wires, which glide easily through garter stitch bumps.
4/ Measure, Measure, Measure!
Measuring your swatch accurately is crucial. A few stitches off per inch can result in a big fit issue over a large sweater. Wet block your swatch, let it dry completely, then measure the middle 4” of your 6” swatch for the most accurate result. Ensure the swatch is fully dry before measuring to avoid gauge discrepancies.
5/ Use the Same Tools
Knit your swatch the same way you'll knit the final piece, whether flat in rows or in the round on circular needles. Different needle types can produce different gauges, so consistency is key.
By following these tips, you'll be well-prepared for your first lace knitting project and create beautiful, confident pieces every time.
Some beginner-friendly lace knitting projects:
Design Information
Jordan is a simple triangle shawl worked from one corner to the other and features a main body of stockinette stitch. A border of lace eyelets is worked alongside each edge to add some interest and intrigue to the shawl. The bottom edge is further accented by the knit-on lace edging worked after the main body has been completed.
The edging instructions are easy to memorize and will become rhythmic after a few repeats. Knit in light-as-air Cattail Silk, Jordan is a shawl to please all summer long and a great transitional piece in those early fall days.
Knit in a lively pink, Jordan is a standout accessory. The Purl Soho website offers several colors.
Please share your progress on Instagram by tagging me @kirstenjoel_designs and using the hashtag #jordanshawl. I love to see all of your works in progress and finished projects!
Design Information
The Semilla Cardigan is a bottom-up, seamed v-neck cardigan featuring an all-over seed stitch and eyelet lace pattern. It includes classic 1x1 ribbing at the hems and button band, and a modern, updated cropped length. The back and front pieces are worked flat and seamed. Armhole shaping maintains a consistent drop shoulder seam location across all sizes. The drop shoulders are shaped with a sloped bind-off, and instructions are provided for optional cup shaping using short rows. The v-neck is designed to be flattering and slightly flirty without being too revealing.
Once the body pieces are completed and seamed, stitches are picked up around the armhole and worked from the bicep to the cuff in the round with a few short rows to create a gentle cap for an optimal fit and easy movement in the underarm.
Stitches are picked up around the neckline to work one of two button band options: horizontal or vertical, both in a 1x1 ribbed stitch. The Fronts are slightly wider than the Back when the button band is added to help prevent any gaping issues at the chest.
The pink sample features a vertical button band and is knit with Purl Soho Good Wool, a 100% Andean highland wool known for its toastiness, classic appearance, soft texture, gentle bloom, and beautiful heathered colors.
Wear this on-trend, yet secretly classic cardigan with chic trousers for an office party, or wear it as a cozy layer at home with shearling slippers and comfy joggers. However you wear it, the Semilla Cardigan will be a delightful addition to your everyday handmade wardrobe.
Please share your progress on Instagram by tagging me @kirstenjoel_designs and using the hashtags #semillacardigankjd. I love to see all of your works in progress and finished projects!
Design Information
Sweetgrass is a shallow triangle shawl knit mostly in Stockinette stitch with a simple eyelet border and knitted-on lace edging. The stitch pattern of the lace edging is easy to remember, and instructions are provided in both charted and written formats. Sweetgrass is a great pattern for any shawl knitter, from the beginner to the adventurous.
The yardage requirements make this a great one-skein project. With the right yarn choice, this shawl can take you from summer into fall, and it will pair well with most outfits.
Please share your progress on Instagram by tagging me @kirstenjoel_designs and using the hashtag #sweetgrassshawl. I love to see all of your works in progress and finished objects!
Design Information
The Sister Peplum draws inspiration from the supportive bonds of sisterhood and community, evoking the quiet resilience of women who navigate the demands of life, family, and society with grace. Each eyelet accent underscores the softness within, serving as a tangible reminder to pause, take a breath, and gradually return your body and mind to a state of calm amid the ebb and flow of daily tides.
Sister is a top-down, double v-neck tank featuring delicate eyelet accents at the neckline, armhole, waist, and hem. It's worked flat, back and forth in rows, from the shoulder cast-on to the armhole shaping, where stitches are joined for working in the round. Stitches are decreased for flattering shaping from the upper chest to the waist, and then increased from the waist to the high hip to create the peplum silhouette. Once the body is completed and blocked, stitches are picked up around the neckline and armholes to work the eyelet trim. With its delicate lace accents and comfortable fit, Sister will be a thoughtful addition to your everyday handmade wardrobe.
Measuring for a comfortable, modern fit across 12 sizes, it's designed for sport-weight yarn like Cascade Ultra Pima Fine, knit on US 3-5 needles for a smooth gauge that's quick to knit in 1-2 hour sessions.
Cascade Yarns Ultra Pima Fine is a 100% Pima cotton sport-weight yarn (136 yards/50g) that's special for its silky smoothness, excellent stitch definition, and breathable lightness—creating a fabric that's soft against the skin with a subtle sheen and durability that withstands washing without losing shape.
For the Sister Peplum, Ultra Pima Fine works exceptionally well: its fine gauge enhances the eyelet accents' delicacy and peplum's flare, providing a refined, non-itchy drape that's perfect for warm-weather wear, while blooming beautifully after blocking to create an elevated, everyday tank.
Please share your progress on Instagram by tagging me @kirstenjoel_designs and using the hashtag #sisterpeplum. I love to see all of your works in progress and finished projects!
