Beginner's Lace Starts with Basic Knitting Stitches
The Feather and Fan is the best way to learn to knit lace since it's pretty basic as far as knitting stitches go!
When's the last time you learned new knitting stitches? If you're a beginner like me, every stitch you try is a new knitting stitch. And sometimes you accidentally create new mistake stitches of your own. I can't wait until the day that I find new stitches challenging and exhilarating... instead of daunting and scary. The Feather and Fan stitch is one that I'm itching to try my hand at.
Patterns in the increase and decrease
I love lace. To some, it's too old-fashioned in appearance. But I'm just fascinated by the loveliness and daintiness of something that's actually quite strong. Plus, the patterns remind me of snowflakes--each one unique. The Feather and Fan stitch (also known as Old Shale) produces the effect of lace with what's really one of the more basic knitting stitches. Or it's really rather, two basic knitting stitches: the increase and the decrease.
In the Feather and Fan stitch, the increase is a basic, open Yarn Over (YO) and the decrease is simply knitting two stitches together (k2tog). The patterns in lace are created by the location of the decrease in relation to the increase, as well as the type of decrease used. For now, I'm sticking with the basic YO and the similarly basic k2tog so I don't get too confused.
Here are instructions for a basic Feather and Fan stitch. Note that most experts recommend a knitting stitch pattern divisible by 18.
Determine the size you want by your stitch gauge. Follow the needle recommendations on the yarn packaging. Cast on any amount (divisible by 18) plus any amount for border. Keep these border stitches in Knit Only (both sides). Work 8 rows of knit only at the beginning and ending of your piece.
Row 1: Knit to end of row
Row 2: Purl to end of row
Row 3: K2tog 3 times, (YO, K1) 6 times, K2tog 3 times, repeat across the row
Row 4: Knit to end of row
Repeat these 4 rows for pattern. Work until desired length. End by working 8 rows Knit
Variations of the Feather and Fan work with multiples of 18 plus 1 and multiples of 18 plus 2, adding the stitches at the beginning and end of Row 3.
This pretty lace-like baby blanket is a wonderful display of of the Feather and Fan stitch. And we can add it to our growing array of free knitting patterns. The knitter adds a garter stitch border five stitches wide, and casts on 208 stitches (including the border) with a size 6 needle. The resulting blanket is roughly 40 inches x 40 inches--a beautiful baby gift.
If you haven't done so already, join me in learning the Feather and Fan-- beginning and basic knitting stitches for lace.
