How You Can Overcome the Intimidation of Lace Knitting

Does lace knitting make you nervous? Try one of these tutorials and free patterns and clear this knitting obstacle

Why does lace knitting seem so intimidating?

I think one big factor is how much different it looks when compared to garter stitch or stockinette stitch. Those two types of stitches result in a smooth, flat, and most of all solid fabric.

Lace knitting, on the other hand, is airy. It often creates uniquely breathtaking designs that can be almost mind-blowing. Even the simplest lace project can look so ethereal and complex that it appears as though its creator spent hours of tireless focus making it.

I think this is why I, myself, have often been intimidated by lace knitting. I wouldn’t say I’m afraid of lace knitting, but it definitely unnerves me.

My first experience with lace came from a lace shawl pattern that was way too complex for someone who’d never knit a lace shawl before. It was a long time before I was ready to try again!

But I did, and I’ve since made a few shawls. Have I created anything complex? No, definitely not. Even so, I’ve learned to love and enjoy knitting lace.

Maybe you’re like me and have found lace knitting intimidating. And maybe you’re also like me in that you hate feeling like there’s any sort of knitting you “can’t” do.

If so, this post is for you!

Let’s Get into Lace Knitting

I’m a huge fan of Very Pink Knits’ video tutorials, and she has an excellent one on learning to knit lace.

Need help reading a lace chart? You’ll find this excellent video from Craft Daily so helpful.

Would you prefer a written tutorial? If so, check out Yarnspirations’ Beginning to Knit Lace guide. They show you how to knit a couple of simple lace stitch patterns, and they explain how to create and use a “lifeline.” The lifeline keeps you from having to unravel your entire work, should you discover a mistake.

Ready to knit an actual project? Try one (or several) of the patterns below!

Most Basic Beginning Lace Patterns

If you’d rather wade in the shallow end of the pool before diving into the deep end (i.e, knitting shawls), here are some simple lace patterns to try!

1. Lace Bookmark Pattern

• What you’ll need to make it: 21 yards fingering or laceweight yarn; US Size 4 needles

• Why you’ll want to: This is a perfect beginning lace project. It’s tiny and quick!

2. Diagonal Dishcloth

• What you’ll need to make it: About 150 yards worsted weight cotton or linen yarn; US Size 6 needles

• Why you’ll want to: This takes the traditional and beloved Grandmother’s Favorite dishcloth pattern and offers a fun twist with its lacy center. It’s a great way to get the hang of lace and make something pretty and practical.

3. Headbangers

• What you’ll need to make it: About 40 yards worsted weight yarn; US Size 8 needles

• Why you’ll want to: Another practical use for lace–creating this pretty headband! It would make a wonderful gift for nearly anyone with long hair. This comes in a crochet version as well, in case you’d like to gift the pattern to a crocheter (or want to crochet it yourself).

4. Frostlight

• What you’ll need to make it: 420 heavy worsted/aran weight yarn; US Size 8 needles; crochet hook, if you wish to attach fringe

• Why you’ll want to: From a practical standpoint, this pattern is an excellent introduction to reading a lace chart. It’s a very simple chart with clear symbols and explanations. The written instructions can help you get used to a charted pattern as well. The repeating lace stitch pattern is worked over only 4 rows that repeats throughout, which also makes it simple. Finally, the finished product is simply stunning; the rows of eyelets also seem to create a unique sort of cable design. Ultimately, it’s a gorgeous scarf.

5. Sheesha

• What you’ll need to make it: 350 to 400 yards fingering weight yarn; US Size 7 needles

• Why you’ll want to: Again, from a practical standpoint this is a simple pattern. While the pattern repeat is worked over 6 rows, 3 of those 6 are straight knitting–and only 1 of the remaining 3 requires yarnovers and P2tog! From an aesthetic standpoint, the neat rows of eyelets look polished and modern. It’s the perfect lightweight scarf.

You can find a more free knitting patterns for lace shawls in this older Knitting for Charity post. (Most of these are lace shawls, although one is not.)

Beginning Lace Shawl Patterns

If the entire reason you want to knit lace is so you can knit a shawl, these simple patterns will allow you to cut your lace-knitting teeth.

1. Red Heart Lacy Stripes Shawl

• What you’ll need to make it: 850 yards fingering or laceweight yarn; US Size 5 needles

• Why you’ll want to: This incredibly simple pattern consists of just two rows repeated throughout. Couldn’t be easier, but the result is glorious!

2. Reyna

• What you’ll need to make it: 400 yards fingering or laceweight yarn; US Size 4 needles

• Why you’ll want to: This triangular shawl was designed to show off lovely variegated yarn. This is the perfect pattern for a skein of multicolored sock yarn you don’t quite know what to do with but would love to show off.

3. Easy Lace Shawl

• What you’ll need to make it: 900 yards DK-weight yarn; US Size 15 needles

• Why you’ll want to: This rectangular shawl pattern features one of the simplest of all lace stitch patterns, the feather-and-fan stitch, and the results are stunning.

4. Easy Peasy Shawl

• What you’ll need to make it: 400 to 1500 yards of whatever yarn you have on hand (depending on how large you want the shawl); needle size should be several sizes larger than the size called for by your yarn label

• Why you’ll want to: The fun of this particular pattern is that it starts from the center and spirals outward. You’ll basically stop knitting whenever you feel like it is “big enough.” This circular shawl is at the top of my “to knit” list–I love its simplicity and its beauty! It even comes in 4 different variations to play around with.

Lace knitting does not have to be out of your reach. Have fun with it, secure those lifelines, and then see all the joy those eyelets can bring!