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Free Pattern and Video: Beginner Lace Scarf For Summer – The Palm Springs Feather and Fan Lace Scarf

Blog » Lace » Free Pattern and Video: Beginner Lace Scarf For Summer – The Palm Springs Feather and Fan Lace Scarf

Free Pattern and Video: Beginner Lace Scarf For Summer – The Palm Springs Feather and Fan Lace Scarf

Liat Gat - Founder

June 29, 2013

It's summer, but you still want to knit. Here's a great summer scarf pattern that is good for those new to lace-knitting. Even though it looks complicated, it's not, especially when you follow the tutorial videos included here.

Pink Feather and Fan Summer Lace Scarf

It’s summer, but you still want to knit. Here’s a great summer scarf pattern that is good for beginners. I’m serious! Even though it looks complicated, it’s not. Every knitter should know how to do Feather and Fan Lace.

So that you become a superstar at doing feather-and-fan lace, this is the first of four blog posts on how to do this pattern.

“The Palm Springs” Basic Feather And Fan Lace Scarf

Materials:
Yarn: 400-600 yds (360-550 m) of any sport-weight summer yarn (cotton, linen, or silk, or a blend of any of those). Shown here: 2 skeins of Misti Alpaca Tonos Pima Silk (83% cotton/17% silk) in “Berry Rich – TPS11”
Needles: US size 4-6 (3.5-4 mm) straight needles
Gauge: 20-22 sts/4 in (10 cm) in St st.
Notions: Scissors, tapestry needle

Finished Measurements: 7.5 inches (19 cm) wide x 8.5 feet (2.5 m) long or whatever length you prefer

Pattern Notes:
The basic feather-and-fan lace pattern is a repeat of 18 stitches. This scarf consists of 3 repeats of the feather-and-fan lace pattern plus a 2-stitch garter-stitch border on either side to keep the edges clean.

Pattern Instructions:
CO 58 sts using the Chinese Waitress cast-on or any stretchy cast-on
Set-up rows:
Row 1: K
Row 2: K2, p to last 2 sts, end k2.
Scarf pattern (repeat for rest of scarf):
Row 1 (Lace row): K2, *k2tog 3 times, (yo, k1) 6 times, K2tog 3 times, repeat from * to last 2 sts, end k2.
Row 2: K
Row 3: K
Row 4: K2, p to last 2 sts, end k2.

Repeat rows 1-4 until scarf is desired length (remember that the scarf will stretch at least 20% when you block it).
BO using a traditional bind-off over the k2togs and a stretchy bind-off over the YOs (coming this week – a video on how to do this).

Video: How To Do Basic Feather And Fan Lace


Easy Lace 1 - How to Do Basic Feather and Fan Lace
Easy Lace 1 - How to Do Basic Feather and Fan Lace

Tips on Feather and Fan from the video:
  • Use pointy needles like my favorite Signature Needle Arts stiletto tips
  • Knit 2 knit stitches on either side of the scarf for your garter-stitch border
  • Spread out your stitches so you can count them easier
  • Where the repeats come together you’ll have six K2togs in a row.

Coming up next: Choosing yarn for summer knitting projects

Leave a Comment

Have you tried the feather and fan pattern before? Did you have any questions about it you’d like me to answer? What are you knitting this summer? Leave a comment below and let me know!

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97 thoughts on “Free Pattern and Video: Beginner Lace Scarf For Summer – The Palm Springs Feather and Fan Lace Scarf”

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  1. Antoinette Prince

    I have to say thank you a million times over for your feather and fan tutorial on YouTube. I think I watched every other tutorial, tinked my work at least 100 times (not kidding). Then I came across your tutorial! Awesome success at long last! You are my knitting angel!

  2. Have just finished my first feather and fan scarf . It will be a Christmas present
    in about two weeks .
    Is there any way of making ends close to symmetrical ? One end has a nice curve .
    The other end is straight across. The recipient is not a knitter and will be thrilled that it was knit for her . But when I look at it , I wish it was even a bit symmetrical

  3. DEAR Liat,
    This is my 1st knit project. I watched several CO videos to see what is comfortable to me. Your video & written instructions are easy to follow. I prefer Continental knitting as I am a right handed Crocheter. I subscribed immediately! Thank you for invaluable assistance in my 1st endeavor. Lisa G.

  4. HI Im looking forward to trying this , Im a newbie to anything but garter… I always use circular needles as I have athritis in my fingers. Is it ok to use circulars in this pattern? It’s just that you specifically state to use straight needles. Im sure there’s a good reason. Thanks if you get the time to reply :)

    1. Hi Shadow! I see no one has responded to you so I will! Yes, you can use circular needles for this, you do the same things you would using straight needles. The only difference is that instead of having the scarf bunching up on one needle, it will be hanging on the cable between the two needles. Much easier to work with I think! I use circular needles for everything!

      A tip for you on this scarf…use stitch markers and lifelines. And count. A lot!!! I’m using stitch markers between each pattern repeat and I try to remember to count my stitches after each repeat…if you have too many or too few stitches it’s easier to fix it right away than to do it ten rows later! The stitch markers help you keep your place, especially at the beginning. After you get the pattern established and can read your stitches you can stop using the markers if you want to. The lifeline is a must when doing lacy patterns as far as I’m concerned. I’ve had to start this scarf over more than a few times because I’ve missed stitches somehow, at least with a lifeline I didn’t have to start over from the cast-on, just rip back to the lifeline where I know the pattern and stitch count is correct. I was putting in a new lifeline after four or five repeats of the pattern rows. I’ve put this scarf in hibernation for a while because I was making so many mistakes…not because it was hard but because I had the pattern memorized and was on auto pilot and not paying close enough attention to what I was doing!!

      1. Hi Peggy,

        It was so sweet of you to answer Shadow’s question. Thank you…. you rock!

        Hugs
        Happy Knitting
        Candy (KnitFreedom Customer Happiness Guru)

  5. Hi and thank you so much for your informative videos! :)
    My question is… If I am making a feather and fan scarf using two to three different colors, which row of the pattern do you think would be the best to make color changes?
    Any thoughts/suggestions are very much appreciated!

    1. Hi Ann,

      I love love love this pattern. I am so glad to hear that you are going to try it. Please send pictures when you are done. I would change colors on rows 1 or 3 – these are the RS rows :)

      Candy (Knit Freedom Customer Happiness Guru)

  6. In 1974 I was sixteen and pregnant with my son. I went to a teenage mother school where a little old lady took the time to volunteer to teach us how to knit. This is the exact pattern she taught us to make a baby blanket. I don’t know what became of the blanket, but I was so happy to come across this pattern. I also learned how to do a Chinese waitress car on, which is so beautiful. I’m now knitting my granddaughter this scarf. Thank you so much for posting this pattern

  7. Please help! I am making a baby blanket. Cast on is 154. Using a garter border for 5 stitches at each end. So 144 worked stitches in multiples of 18. My problem is I end up with three less stitches after the lace row. I have redone it 6 times and it keeps happening. It seems to have something to do with the first series only works a total of 12 stitches instead of 18? My brain can not figure this out. :(

  8. Besseling Jean

    If I want to make this into a shawl how wide and long should I make it will it make a nice shawl

  9. Hello Liat, loving your website and tips. If I use 4.5 mm needles with 100 percent Pima Cotton, would that make the scarf too wide? Would I be better to take out one of the pattern repeats? That is, just cast on 40 stitches? I remember your comment way up about the wider scarf being more modern looking. Just wondering what you think since I’m using larger size needles.
    Thanks, Holly

  10. Mary Jo Hudson

    Where can I access the ‘trouble shooting’ on the fan and feather. I can only find the first video, which is easy to understand but I’m doing something wrong and need to know what!

    1. Hi Mary Jo! Sorry for the delay in getting back to you.

      I never published those other videos on KnitFreedom… I got too busy I guess. They’re on Vimeo, and I’ll link to them here for you:

      Feather and Fan: Keeping Track of Your Rows
      Feather and Fan: Keeping Track of Your Stitches
      Feather and Fan: Troubleshooting and Binding Off

      Also, there’s been an update since I made the videos. I now recommend the Frilled Standard Bind-Off as the best bind-off for lace.

      I hope this helps!

  11. Hi
    I joined your mailing list this week and have always been intimidated by lace….

    BUT I am about 10 inches into my feather and fan scarf!!
    Making it in Mini Mochi, and also putting stitch markers between 18 stitch pattern – sooooo simple, might attempt a more complicated lace project now

    Loving your website
    Thanks
    Maria

  12. I have been following you since I bought “Knitting Superstar”. I’m slow because I taught myself to knit. I’m also 89 years old, so I won’t be doing these p
    rojects fast.
    I think you are the best teacher on the internet. I have invited my niece over to learn to knit socks with me. Thank you so much for all your instructions.

  13. I’m fascinated with the magic scarf. But the videos I’ve seen there’s no talking, only music playing. When do you repeat the rows and how many total rows to knit. I know it depends on what you want to do with the scarf (make a dress or a scarf). But just the basics for a scarf or hooded cowl. I love what you do, the tone of your voice, your sense of humor and especially your fingers. They are so cute. Thank you

  14. silly question, apologizing in advance video says cast on 40 pattern says 58 …my question is what is the correct amount to cast on to follow written pattern…realize the lace pattern is 18 sts but am not knit pattern smart enough to know who amount the pattern and cast on amount will be used
    sorry to bother with silly question just ripped it out 4 times not sure how much more the yarn or myself can take lol

    1. Follow the written pattern! I’d also recommend putting in a life line every few repeats of the pattern. I’ve messed up, and with the yarn overs and k2tog it is very frustrating to rip out part of what has been knit. I have Knits Pick interchangeable needles, so adding a life line is easy for me. Otherwise search the internet, there are videos and blogs that will help. It helps if you count your stitches every time you finish row one of the pattern as well. Good luck!

  15. An asterisk makes all the difference! No other Old Shale pattern I read tonight had one so no matter what combination I tried, the fans would not line up. Thank you for that little star.

  16. Thanks for the pattern.Palm Springs Basic feather and Fan Lace Scarf. Just what I was looking for to make for. A few Christmas gifts. Barbara

  17. Hi! Thanks for this pattern…I am new to knitting and love this! I’m having trouble figuring out how to finish this scarf… Even with your wonderful video. Can you please tell me which row to knit last before binding off?? Do you not ens with the “start” rows ou begin with?

  18. I’m really struggling with this pattern, why do I have extra stitches when I finish the first row of the k2tog/x3Knit 1Yo/x6
    I have been working on this for hours tonight.
    thanks

    1. Hi Sue, I was having the same problem when I first started this pattern! I found that I would occasionally do a YO when I wasn’t supposed to, or knit one stitch when it was supposed to be k2tog. So I started going back and reading my stitches after each group (e.g. (YO, k1) 6 times). If I did goof up, it’s easier to undo a small group of stitches than it is a whole row! I also try to remember to count my stitches right after I finish row 1 of the scarf pattern. It has helped lower my frustration level!! The extra stitches will get fewer as you work the pattern and get used to it. I love this pattern, it really is easy. And fun to do!!

    1. When you click “Print” you should get a dialog from your web browser which allows you to specify various options such as which printer to send it to, how many copies, etc. One of the options should be to specify a range of pages to be printed. The default is to print all of the pages but you can change that to be pages 1 thru 3 or 1 thru 4 or even 5 thru 8. I suspect 1-3 or 1-4 would give you the entire pattern and, at worst, a few of the earliest comments.

    2. Jean, I just did a “copy and paste” into a Microsoft Word document and printed it out that way. I also included the picture and made it much smaller and pasted the instructions below it and it fit on one page after I made the top and bottom margins a little smaller. I also included the web address so I will know where to find it online if I need to review the video or share it with someone! I’m learning continental knitting from “Become a Knitting Superstar” and I’m going to use this pattern to practice! It is so pretty!

  19. I read on knitting paradise about your knit like a superstar class and bought it. The person who recommended it said she learned more from that than she had in mny classes.

    I reall like it because I can get answers to so many questions with the videos.

    Thanks. Jean

  20. I have worsted weight cotton…would that work on my size 8’s? I hope it will because I have a cone of it that I’m dying to use.

  21. Hi Liat: I have a friend who cannot read patterns but has made dozens of feather and fan baby blankets over the years! I was so jealous because I thought the pattern was too difficult. I started a scarf today and kept going wrong on the lace row until I realized I was doing YO, K2tog instead of YO, K1!!!! Old habits die hard!

    Thanks for all your marvellous videos which usually make my life easier!!!!

    Mary

  22. What is the number of stitches per pattern so I can make less wide or wider?
    Thanks
    Love pattern

  23. Oh no!
    I want to make this but I have just started my first pair of socks ever!
    I will need to finish that first but it will take me such a long time because it is very thin sock yarn and 2mm needles + something completely new to focus on…

    If I new I could finish it in a couple of days I would make one for my wedding next Friday… but I am too slow a knitter to get that done.

    Never mind, I will make it later for some other nice occasion.

    Thanks for you all your information!

  24. Wow, it seems that I’m at the end of a long line of Commenters! I just wanted to say how much I enjoyed this video (I’m a new knitter and new subscriber), and am looking forward VERY much to the next ones on this pattern! Thank you so much!

  25. C.J. Papoutsis

    I’m dying to try the feather and fan pattern. Can you make it into a wrap or shawl?This video keeps cutting out on both of my computers. Am I doing something wrong?

    Thanks. I love your newsletter. This is the first video that doesn’t play. Perhaps send it again?

    C. Papoutsis

  26. Thank you for sharing! It’s the first thing I learned to knit with my Grandmother when I was ten. It brings back wonderful memories!

  27. How fun! I am looking forward to this! Thanks, Liat. We can ALWAYS count on you for great stuff! Happy summer & touring!

  28. Liat: I love your videos and instructions. Although I am near 80 and have been knitting since I was 7 I still learn so much from you. Feather and fan pattern also makes a beautiful shawl in knitting worsted. Your instructions are so clear they make most patterns easy to learn. Now if I could only learn how to do continental knitting.

    1. I can recommend KNITFreedom’s “Learn to Knit Continental” course. I learned to knit American (English) style but used the course to learn continental knitting. I love it now. It’s so much less tiring since there isn’t as much hand movement (and it’s quicker too!).

  29. Have you ever tried this pattern with lace weight or would that be too flimsy? I love a nice drape in a shawl or scarf and find that lace weight always works nicely. What do you think?

  30. I consider myself a beginner knitter and I love this pattern. The video was great as well. Even though its summer, it’s my next knitting project. Thank you Liat!

  31. Liat, I’m so glad you shared the feather and fan pattern. I have wanted to knit something with it for a very long time. I really enjoy your knitting videos. You make things very easy to understand and truly enjoyable!!!! Thank you!!!!!

  32. It is so amazing, I just started receiving your email. I am a beginner at hand knitting
    and have been making some dish cloths. I have been trying to find the pattern for
    the feather and fan stitch as I think it is so beautiful in a baby blanket or afghan and
    here you have the video. Thank you so much. I will be trying it soon and will look
    forward to the continuing videos. Thank you, thank you. Lee

  33. Thank you so much for the video, i thought it was going to be very difficult and you made it look easier for me to do. Thank you.

    1. C.J. Papoutsis

      Liat: Now that I’ve got my computer problems worked out (turn off the HD button on the video) I tried the feather and fan pattern. I absolutely love it! Your videos are so clear and easy to understand. I love doing the Chinese Waitress Cast-on too:-)

      Question: Can I make the pattern wider by adding more multiples of 18, perhaps use a circular needle and make a shawl? Is there anything I have to do differently to work the pattern on a circular needle?

      I look forward to your newsletters and refer to my Knit Like A Superstar eBook often. You’re a great teacher! Thanks.

      1. Knitting on circular needles would certainly work and wouldn’t require any changes in the pattern. Think of how it would work if you tied a string between the caps of 2 straight needles. You would still work all of your stitches from the left needle onto the right needle then, at the end of the row, turn and go back the other way. The connection between the needles doesn’t matter. It’s just a place to store excess stitches when you’ve got too many for the straight needle.

  34. catherine thomas

    Thank you so much for showing us how to do the feather and fan stitch . I have a photograph of me at nine months wearing a cute little dress knit with this pattern , and have always wanted to make one for my granddaughters. Now I know how .

  35. I was wondering if Cascades Sierra which is 80% pima cotton & 20% merino wool be a good choice of yarn to make this scarf out of? I have been wanting to try feather & fan for a while and this is a great video to get me going. Thanks!
    Kara

  36. I’m hooked! Er, rather, needled? Teehee. Watching your video has my fingers itching to try feather and fan but I want to work it up in the same yarn you are using. Soooo, I placed my order and am looking forward to getting my hands on that sumptuous colored yarn! I may have to work up a sample with what I have just to get warmed up! Thanks!

  37. Julia Dawn Mason

    I learned this stitch patter a long time ago when I was in high school. I didn’t know about stitch markers to keep the stitch count correct. But I casted on for a garment and made sure to count the stitches to see if I had 18 stitches between each scallop. It turned out so nice and every one wanted to know where I bought it at. You should have seen their faces when I told them it was hand knitted by me.

  38. Thank you Liat for such a lovely clear video at just the right speed and with brilliant accompanying commentary.

  39. This looks amazing! I’m going throughmy stash now to see if I have yarn that will do this pattern justice! Thanks Liat!

  40. I’ve always loved the look of the feather fan pattern. I’ve had an idea for making a baby blanket using this pattern so thought I would make a scarf first to wrap my brain around the design. Kind of like muscle memory. I’ve made 2 scarves and working on my third in the last two weeks. Everyone that has seen them fall in love with them. They think it is a difficult design and won’t believe me when I tell them how easy it is. lol

    1. Wow, that’s so cool that you are on a feather-and-fan streak! I couldn’t have said it better myself about how deceptively easy it is, especially once you get into a groove. :)

  41. I love this pattern. I was told this was the Old Shale pattern and Fan and Feather was a little different. I still love it and have knit a scarf and doll blanket in this pattern. I plan to know again. I’d like to do a prayer shawl but not sure how many patterns. I’ll have to do my math.
    Thanks for the instructions.

  42. Thanks Liat! This is just the pattern to get me started on lace. I have always been too intimidated to attempt lace patterns but this one looks like it is doable…especially with all your videos and tips! Summer knitting here I come…I have just spun a beautiful llama sport weight so think I will try it with that or do you think it won’t have enough drape? Should I ply it with something like bamboo or silk?
    Bonnie

    1. Hi Bonnie, you’re welcome! This is a very good pattern to get started. Just follow along with my video and the other three videos that I will be publishing and you’ll be fine. You can also always post in the comments if you get stuck.

      As far as what yarn to use, I’ll be going over that in my next blog post, but I think llama will be too warm. Cotton, bamboo, and linen would be my first choices, followed by any of them blended with silk.

      Llama does have a lovely drape, but the fuzziness just makes it too warm.

  43. Hi Liat – I agree with Michelle you definitely ROCK! One thing -I can’t seem to get the Chinese Waitress cast on video to work. The window keeps closing :( has anyone else reported having trouble? I am looking forward to trying this pattern!
    Thanks so much!

  44. Love feather and fan, use it for gifts to knit for friends always. Does embroidery floss come with the drop cloth samplers? Great colorings, and would like to gett back to embroidery. Thank for great suggestions. happy knitting!!!

  45. Kathleen Eckhart

    Hi Liat,

    Another example of how you do the clearest, most visible knitting videos around! I know feather-and-fan but was always hazy about how to handle the repetitions along the row. Because of the six k2tog’s in a row, I always felt I had to have a “separation stitch” between each repeat. (If there is a way I can complicate things in knitting or in life for that matter, believe me I will find it.). Your demonstration made it clear, simple, logical and left no room for worrisome complications. Thank you so much for helping to make my knitting anxiety-free!

    P.S. My one feather-and-fan project seemed to take forever, although I notice you seem to be just zipping along. Is that just me or is that the nature of this stitch pattern? Thanks!

    1. Kathleen, you are so sweet!

      I should have written about my first experience with feather and fan – it was so frustrating I actually swore off the pattern forever! The stitches are so easy and yet it kept getting messed up. I hated that it was so hard to remember what row to do.

      I think I’ll mention this on the next blog post where I talk about troubleshooting and tips for this pattern, because you’re right – unless you have a system to make it go fast, this scarf does seem to take forever. So it’s definitely not just you.

      I hope my upcoming videos help your project go faster. I learned that this is actually a fun and fast pattern, IF you have a good system. :)

  46. You ROCK! Liat! I’m forever grateful to Eve and EBT for telling me about you since she knew I love to knit!!!! Thanks for the awesome pattern!

    1. Michelle, Eve told you about me? That makes me SOOO happy! Will you tell her I’m still (kinda) doing EBT? I’m in Laurel’s group.

      Have a great time knitting and please do continue to comment and keep in touch :)

  47. I am busy knitting some sockes . this summer. also I am a beginner. don’t know much of how to read a pattern. but I will try to knit scarf anyway . thank for the pattern. I love the look of it. love celia.

    1. Hi Celia,

      One of the most important things about breaking out of beginner knitting is learning how to read a pattern. I teach how to do this in a great class called Beginner Superstar that I think you would enjoy. It has lots of quick projects.

      You can definitely do this pattern as long as you follow the video. There are 3 more videos coming up that will show you common mistakes and help keep you on track.

    1. Lol! You’re so welcome! If you have linen I would highly recommend it. It will be a little rough to work with while you knit (sort of like eating pasta that is a little underdone), but after you wash it in the washing machine, the scarf will get very soft. The more you wash linen, the softer it gets!

  48. I’ve always wanted to knit a feather and fan shawl! Thanks Liat for showing us how easy it is! I really appreciate your attitude about mistakes and adventures. Thanks thanks thanks.

    1. You’re so welcome, Cindy! I had a hard time with feather and fan when I first learned it, and I couldn’t figure out why. So I was determined to make it easy for everyone. I’m so glad you’re excited about trying it out!

    1. You’re welcome, Darlene! Keep an eye on your email, because over this coming week I’ll be publishing tips on how to get really good at this pattern.

    1. That’s true… that’s what I tried long ago the first time I tried a scarf like this. But I found it was too cumbersome and slow. Instead, this time I discovered a way to quickly count the stitches and know which row you are on all the time (those videos are coming in the next few days) so that you don’t have to use stitch markers and the knitting goes much faster.

      1. Where can I find these videos to help with feather and fan pattern? Keeping track of which row I’m on, trouble shooting, binding off….?

    1. Hi Anna, good question! I went in and added the bind-off information. I also have a video filmed for the bind-off section that I will be posting soon.

      Repeat rows 1-4 until scarf is desired length (remember that the scarf will stretch at least 20% when you block it).
      BO using a traditional bind-off over the k2togs and a stretchy bind-off over the YOs (coming this week – a video on how to do this).

  49. This is great, thanks!

    One thing, the pattern as written has “K2tog 2 times” after the 6 yo k1. Shouldn’t that be “K2tog 3 times”? That’s how you do it in the video.

    Thanks for all you do for us!

  50. Love the pattern!
    How come when you knit something like this it doesn’t look like an ol’ lady scarf? But when others do, it does?

    Trouble is.. Palm Springs today is around 117.. I don’t think a scarf will work today!! LOL…

    But definitely gonna make one!!!

    1. Nina, you are so funny! But this is a really good question.

      It doesn’t look like an old lady scarf because

      1) It’s knitted in a gorgeous, high-quality yarn. Silk in particular takes dye very well and renders a rich, multi-layered color that looks very sophisticated.

      2) It’s really long and wide. That makes it more modern looking.

      3) You wear it with something sophisticated, not something frumpy :)

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