29. Smyrna Lace

"Smyrna Lace" is a classic: diamonds framed by two rows of eyelets. One stitch is added every other row in the first half of the pattern, and then the added stitches are worked off in the same way in the second half, forming a gently scalloped lower edge. Unlike most of the patterns we have seen, only one stitch is worked into each double yarn over on the subsequent row.

You can download the full-size chart, verbal instructions and notes here.

Glancing at the chart one might expect all-pattern knitted lace (aka knitted lace) as discussed in the 12. Tunician Lace post, because both right-side and wrong-side rows employ yarn overs to form the design. However, Smyrna Lace falls into the alternating-pattern knitted lace category (aka lace knitting). A closer examination of the chart reveals that the eyelets above the diamond motifs are worked on wrong-side rows and the eyelets below the diamonds are worked on the right side. In the first half of a given row the yarn overs (lower eyelets or upper eyelets) of the previous row are knitted across plain, and in the second half of the row new yarn overs create the other part of the pattern. Thus instead of separate pattern rows and plain-knit rows, each row serves both functions.

Despite having been knit with the same yarn and needles as all the other samples, this one strikes me as looser, stretchier, perhaps due to the double yarn overs being worked as single stitches.

Next Week: Knife Pleated Edging

28. Lemon Seed Lace

"Lemon Seed Lace" features diamonds flanked by faggoting and ladder eyelets in the upper half and the eponymous motifs lined up diagonally along the lower scalloped edge. The stitch count jumps from 23 to 28 in the first row. Two of the added stitches are worked off halfway through the pattern, before the other three are bound off in the final row of the 12-row repeat.

You can download the full-size chart, verbal instructions and notes here.

Next Week: Smyrna Lace

27. Rose Leaf Lace

Pairs of leaves running horizontally, faggoting, large eyelets, cascading eyelets and a gently scalloped lower edge combine to make "Rose Leaf Lace" one of the most complex compositions in the sample book. This is relatively large edging, with a stitch count of 34 to 39 and measuring 3¾" wide after blocking when knit in fingering weight yarn on 2.25mm needles.

You can download the full-size chart, verbal instructions and notes here.

Rose Leaf Lace would work well with any of the twin leaf patterns such as Barbara Walker's Double Rose Leaf insertion.

Next time: Lemon Seed Lace

26. Narrow Edge

"Narrow Edge" is a fraternal twin of 17. Lace Edging, the only significant difference in appearance being the substitution of ladder eyelets along the upper edge in place of the earlier pattern's herringbone faggoting. The stitch count rises from seven to nine before the extra stitches are bound off in the final row of the 6-row repeat. Although the sample's width is on the low side of average, I wouldn't put it in the same class as the other designs of the same name we have seen previously (3. Narrow Edging and 15. Narrow Edging). Those samples measured 7/8" knit in fingering weight cotton on 2.25mm needles, while this one is 1¼" wide.

You can download the full-size chart, verbal instructions and notes here.

Next week: Rose Leaf Lace

25. Lace Pattern

"Lace Pattern" is a relative of 13. Shell Pattern, in that the solid areas are gathered at the lower left by slipping multiple stitches over one. However, here the bind off does not result in a cupped effect. This may be due to the double yarn overs, giving the slipped stitches room to spread out. The first two rows of the chart are preparatory and are not worked on subsequent repeats of the pattern.

You can download the full-size chart, verbal instructions and notes here.

While knitting the sample, I was appalled by the unsightly bumps created along both the upper and lower edges by beginning every row with p2tog. So I knit another, adding an additional edge stitch on each side and using the selvedge technique from 19. Knitted Lace (Wide).

Aaah. Much better.

Next time: Narrow Edge