Lace ZigZag

This simple lace zigzag is the perfect introduction to lace and to lace charts.

Watching this video, you’ll understand how repeating portions of charts work and how to fix basic mistakes on lace. I also teach you how to put in a lifeline and recover your knitting with or without a lifeline.

In this video we talk about the concept of repeats, the sections shown outlined in red above. In this chart the repeat is six stitches wide.

To make this lace zigzag wider, you would add any multiple of six stitches to your swatch or project and add in another of the red sections for each additional group of six stitches that you include.

To make the pattern come out right, you need to add an additional nine stitches to your multiple of six. The nine stitches are the border stitches: four on the right and five on the left.

To calculate how many stitches you’d need to cast on for a flat zigzag lace project, you would take any multiple of six and then add nine at the end. 15, 21, 27, or 69, for example, would all work.

Lace Zig-Zag

Written Instructions:

CO 15 sts or a multiple of 6 + 9.
Rows 1, 3, and 5 (RS): K1, (k2tog, k2, YO, k2) to last 2 sts, k2.

Row 2 and all even-numbered rows: K1, p to last st, k1.

Rows 7, 9, and 11: K4, (YO, k2, k2tog, k2) to last 4 sts, YO, k2, k2tog.

Repeat rows 1-12 until swatch is desired length.

Lace Diamond

This quick lace diamond will get you ready to knit almost any lace pattern. So simple, yet so full of the abbreviations and ways of thinking you’ll need to master in order to advance.

Lace Diamond

Written Instructions:

CO 15 sts.
Row 1 (RS): K.
Row 2 and all even (WS) rows: K2, p to last 2 sts, k2.
Row 3: K6, k2tog, yo, k to end.
Row 5: K5, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, k to end.
Row 7: K4, k2tog, yo, k3, yo, ssk, k to end.
Row 9: K3, k2tog, yo, k5, yo, ssk, k to end.
Row 11: K5, yo, ssk, k1, k2tog, yo, k to end.
Row 13: K6, yo, s2kp, yo, k to end.
Row 15: K7, yo, k2tog, k to end.
Rows 17 and 19: K.
BO on WS.

Foliage Toddler Hat

To get you comfortable knitting charts in the round, I’ve created this quick toddler hat as an adaptation of a famous Knitty pattern, Foliage.

Worked from the bottom up, this toddler hat is faster and easier (for beginners), than the original.

Adapted Foliage Hat (Toddler Size)

Finished Measurements: 15 inches around unstretched x 6 inches deep. Stretches to fit a head 20 inches around.
Materials: Chunky yarn and a 40-47-inch US size 9 – 10½ circular needle

Instructions:
CO 48 sts. Optional challenge: use the Italian Cast-On.
Join for working in the round.
Work in 1×1 rib for 5 rounds.
Work rounds 1-12 of Leaf Lace chart twice, inserting markers between repeats if desired.
Work rounds 1-9 of Crown chart.
Break yarn, leaving a 12” in. tail. Weave through rem sts and pull tight.
Weave in ends. Block if desired, especially if you want the hat to get a little bigger.

Starlight Lace

This advanced lace pattern, knit in the round, is quick to knit and teaches you all the remaining techniques you’ll need to conquer any lace chart.

For example, you’ll learn how and why to move the beginning of the round when your chart tells you to do so.

To knit the sweater inspired by this lace pattern, see Free Pattern: Winter Waterfall Lace Sweater.

Patterns for Practice

Here are four lovely lace patterns to challenge your lace-knitting chart skills. We highly recommend them.