If you are a beginner in lace knitting, there are some basic rules that you need to observe to emerge a pro. Lacing is a knitting technique that is characterized by stable holes in the garment. The arrangement of these holes considers aesthetic value. Lace knitting is complicated and requires high precision and concentration, and it is sometimes referred to as the pinnacle of knitting.
For a beginner in lacing, the choice of yarn and needles is very crucial. You should choose large-sized needles and threads if you are fond of knitting tightly as this will allow you to stitch fast. There are different patterns in lace knitting, and it is advisable to pick the easiest first then upgrade as you get used.
How to Hand Knit Lace Patterns
Lace knitting is basically about decreasing a stitch or two followed by an eyelet hole or a yarn-over to replace the lost stitch. You may present purl and knit stitches differently and make fabulous garments with proper guidance.
The following are some essential lacing techniques in making visually pleasing lace patterns:
1. Yarning Over On The Knit Side
To yarn-over (YO) means making an extra stitch and creating a deliberate little hole in your garment. For a yarning over on the knit side, you should lift the thread under the needle then around. Make sure that the yarn is at the back, and it should slope over the right need.
2. Left-Leaning Decrease – Single
To do a single left-leaning decrease, you need to slide the next stitch, knit the next one and then pass the slipped stitch over. You should then slide the next two stitches, singly, and knit-wise, on the right needle. Put in the left needle into the front of the stitches and knit off as a single stitch.
3. Right-Leaning Decrease – Single
The single right-leaning decrease is created by knitting the next two stitches together. To make the style perfect, you should not knit tightly. You should use larger needles that have tapering ends to ensure that stitches do not slip-off.
4. Left-Leaning Decrease – Double
A double-left leaning decrease is the most typical reduction available for hand-knitting. To work it, you should slide stitched and knit the next two stitches together. Pick up the slipped stitch and pass it over the k2tog stitch and off the right needle.
Common Lace Patterns For Beginners
There are various simple lace patterns for a beginner that you can try to give you a better experience. They include:
1. Open Stole
The open stole is a simple but attractive pattern that is worth trying. It is the right style for practicing yarn over and the single left-leaning and right-leaning decrease techniques.
2. Open Diamond
Open diamond is a typical pattern that one can practice using the three techniques, i.e. single left-leaning & right-leaning decrease as well as the double left-leaning decrease.
3. Honeycomb Mesh
Honeycomb mesh is popular for use as a background for reliable stocking or as a shawl center. The pattern is suitable for hairy yarns and offers good practice for double decreases only.
Conclusion
Lace knitting can be fun and enjoyable, but it requires you to be keen, have patience as well as use the right sizes of needles and yarns. There are several styles that you can make to produce fabulous items.
