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

24. Untitled Edging

Here's another pattern without a name. The garter stitch edging combines fagotting along the top with large eyelets arranged within the saw-tooth lower edge. The stitch count increases with every eyelet row, from 11 to 19, and the added stitches are bound off in the last row of the 12-row repeat.

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

The right side and wrong side of this pattern are indistinguishable from one another, making it suitable for a wide variety of purposes.

Next time: Lace Pattern

23. Untitled Edging

This is one of a few patterns which our Victorian knitter copied down without a heading. A nearly identical trim can be found in Classic Knitted Cotton Edgings by Furze Hewitt and Billie Daley. Unfortunately, the book's patterns are identified only by number, not by name (the similar design is #78), so the mystery remains. There can be no doubt, however, that whatever its original name, the word "leaf" must have figured prominently.

The pattern features triangles of large eyelets alternating with solid squares set on their points, each with a puffed leaf against a garter stitch ground. The design is topped off with a row of fagotting set apart from the rest of the arrangement by a narrow band of reverse stockingnet. While not reaching the epic dimensions of 19. Knitted Lace (Wide), this pattern falls outside the average in size, blocking at 4¼" wide when knit in fingering weight cotton on 2.25mm needles. In the first half of the pattern the stitch count steadily rises from 27 to 48. Some of the added stitches are worked off in the process of tapering the leaf motif, and the remainder are bound off in the last row of the 28-row repeat.

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

I find the use of p2tog in place of a left-leaning decrease (SSK, s1-k1-psso, etc.) when tapering the leaf a curious choice. It creates a series of bumps along the right side of the leaf. And the k3tog at the top of the leaf produces a tip that is less defined than would be had with a balanced double decrease (sl2-k1-p2sso). It seems as if the designer knew only one way to decrease-- knit or purl two or more stitches together-- or she considered other decreases unnecessary. Whatever the case, if used for a project, this pattern would definitely benefit from those substitutions in shaping the leaf.

Next week: Untitled Edging No. 2

22. Palm Leaf Insertion

"Palm Leaf Insertion" has faggoting on each side and single large eyelets alternating with diagonal lines of eyelets running down the middle. The effect is suggestive of a tipped diamond with a center hole. The panel is 13 stitches wide and has a 14-row repeat.

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

This is another pattern sent into the newspaper by a reader. In this case the contributor designed it to correspond to a previously published edging:

"Etta" kindly sends these directions for making a handsome insertion matching the Palm Leaf Lace on Page 37 in Knitting Extra No. 62.

Next time: Untitled Edging

21. Oak Leaf

"Oak Leaf" has a row of ladder eyelets along the upper edge and pairs of eyelets cascading down into the curved saw-tooth lower edge. The garter stitch edging begins with 10 stitches cast on, increases by 2 stitches every right side row, and the added stitches are bound off in the final row of the 12-row repeat.

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

Addendum to 8. Wristlets: A reader has suggested wearing the wristlets with the scalloped edge at the hand, where it would catch the eye. I have added a new photograph to the post to illustrate this excellent idea. (Thanks, Jane!)

Next time: Palm Leaf Insertion