Lace knitting can be daunting to knitters who have never tried it…written instructions, charts, yarn-overs, decreases – not to mention keeping track of where you are and blocking it when you’re finished. With a little help, these techniques are simple to learn, and the reward of a finished lace scarf is totally worth it.
In this tutorial, we use this simple lace pattern to cover the skills you need to move on to more complicated lace. You’ll learn how to read both charts and written instructions, how to run lifelines in your work, how to avoid mistakes and keep track of where you are, blocking, and using blocking wires.
This pattern includes links to five instructional videos to guide you through the new techniques you’ll learn.
Size: 9” wide x 5’ long (or desired length)
Needles: Size 7 US, circulars or straights
Yarn: 100 grams sock weight yarn, approx. 462 yards (I used Knit Picks Stroll sock yarn)
Additional Materials: row counter, tapestry needle
Gauge: 6 stitches per inch in stockinette stitch
This pattern is available in three different formats, each includes links to 5-part video tutorial:
1. PDF Pattern, traditional and printable. $8.00 via PayPal
2. Amazon Kindle digital download (suitable for Kindle devices and devices that use the Kindle app): $6.00 US 
3. eReader (For non-Kindle eReaders, like Sony eReader and Barnes & Noble Nook, or any device using the Google Play Books app) $6.72 US
This tutorial would have been really helpful to me 2 months ago when I tried to knit a lace scarf. I made some mistakes and had to rip out about 3 weeks work. I also failed to use enough pins and my scarf has yukky scalloped edges too. It was also a mistake to try and use grey 2ply yarn with silver needles!
Do you always read charts from the bottom up? I always assumed top-down, left to right and hence have been unable to follow them.
Thanks so much for the lace tutorial. I’ve been wanting to take a break from sock knitting and this came at just the right time.
what a great job you have done to explain lace knitting. I love how you have added the words. I have a friend that is learning to knit and english isn’t her first language, so it will be a big help to her?
i love how u covered lace knitting in that video and i was knitting a lace scarf but i started to notice that the cast on row ended up looking like a biiiig scalop shape will that be ok after blocking ?
thx for the video its reallly good one 🙂
Thank you for the excellent tutorial. I feel like I learned alot and am looking forward to starting my first lace scarf.
Thank you so much for this tutorial.
Now I can lace knit more securely. You are my star.
Did you use the Stroll Tonal sock yarn for this?
Hi Donna – yes, that’s the yarn I used!
S t a c i
weird
I know the basics of knitting but not much more. I’ve learned more from you than any knitting instructions could ever tell me, even as far as how to hold the yarn in your right hand as you knit. You are an incredible teacher! I can’t wait to practice and eventually learn socks. Thank you for all you do!
I follow your instructions about for the zig zag scurf put the pattern is no coming out zig zag is coming out a straght line. What do I do wrong?
Do you have a lace shawl pattern? in a triangle? or can this pattern be enlarged to wear as a shawl/cape? Interested in learning a knit lace technique but don’t want a scarf. Thanks Staci, Elsa
i think it is a really nice clip and my mum thinks it makes me more creative.i was wondering how you could do so many knitting.your just amazing.your even better than my knitting teacher.
Hi staci! I was wondering… what is the pattern for the scarf the mannequin is wearing?
Thanks a lot for your instructions, there are so easy in yhe way that you explain, and I learn a lot.
Susana from Bogota, Colombia South America
Staci, It always helps me get inspired to try something new when I see your
videos. I always check my emails to see if you have sent a new one.
I would like to know if you would consider doing a tutorial video for the
clapotis that is on Ralvery by Kate Gilbert?
I watched the videos and can knit this scarf easily but I was wondering about other lace patterns that have more than one chart and seem very complicated, as in shwals. Do you have instructional videos on the more complicated charts and construction?
Marie – this tutorial on lace knitting gives you the basics for other lace charts you’ll encounter. No matter how complicated they look, the technique is the same. Just more and different stitches to learn, but the same process. Good luck!
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A great tutorial and a pretty pattern. It was my first attempt at lace, it was a gift (gulp), but it worked. My friend can’t take wool, so I used bamboo–a little unforgiving to work, with but the scarf has a nice soft drape. My friend loves it and gets compliments. Thanks Staci. You are an awesome teacher.
HI the tutorial is really helpful…have tried the pattern ..one thing i want to ask that the pointells are going in one direction to wards right side . But in ur tutorial the pattern is zigzag. pls advice
Rita – are you working from the written pattern? If so, have you completed several pattern repeats? The pattern naturally makes a zigzag…I’m not sure what help I can be without seeing your work.
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Hi!it’s a very pretty pattern but I have the same problem with Rita. The pointells are going in one direction, not in zigzag. please, can you help us? what is wrong? I did the same as you. please. What could it be?
Hmm…the only thing I can think of that would keep the zigzag from appearing properly (assuming you’re working the entire pattern repeat) is your gauge. Is your gauge looser than 6 stitches per inch? You may need to drop a needle size or two for the pattern to come out clearly.
Are you working from the written pattern, or just the videos?
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Your lace knitting video was very helpful, thank you! Can you please tell us what size needle you used and what type of yarn you used for the swatch? Thanks much.
Hi Jeanne – are you asking what yarn and needles I used for demonstration in the video? That is worsted weight yarn (also known as 10 ply or Aran) with 10.5 US (6.5mm) size needles.
Hope that helps!
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Staci, yes, I was asking about the demonstration video which is very good because you gave clear instructions. Thank you for getting back to me with the information. I’ll pick up the recommended needle size and yarn this week.
I am learning lace knitting and have become frustrated using fingering and a small-sized needle and wanted to use larger needles and different yarn to practice and make a swatch, then go back to the fingering. I love the pattern you demonstrated and will order it after I finish the piece I started.
Are you using metal needles? I found the metal ones I’m using hurt my hands and the stitches slip easily off. I’ll see if I can find the size needles you recommended in either wood or plastic.
I should also add I haven’t knitted in about 20 years, so trying lace knitting has been a (happy) challenge.
Best,
Jeanne
Chapel Hill NC
I love you’re videos but the one thing I can’t get is the pattern because I’m on a low income I would love to get the knitted lace scarf pattern you did can you help me out thank you
Is it OK if I save this video to watch offline? Promise not to use it other than for myself at home (Scotland). I have limited broadband allowance each month and would like to keep re-watching until I have learned this. Thanks.