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Lace knitting looks really intricate but the stitches involved are actually quite simple to work.
It’s the level of concentration required that makes it tricky, but a lifeline can act as a safety string
for any potential errors. Make sure your eyelets look their best by blocking your finished project.THESE TWO TECHNIQUES WILL IMPROVE YOUR KNITTING!
Top Tips for LaceUse markers to keep your place
on Siân Brown’s lacy poncho.
Find the pattern on page 16LK^
saysBLOCKING
JULIE FERGUSON’S DELICATE LACE SHAWL ON
PAGE 30 SHOULD BE SPRAY BLOCKED TO HELP
THE STITCH PATTERN LOOK ITS BEST!As you work, you will ind that your knitted lace
looks quite scrunched up, and you need to pull it
out to get the correct efect. Blocking will ensure
your work stays lat and your stitch pattern looks
even. The irst thing to do is dampen your fabric.
For delicate projects, like lace, just spritz your
project with water, rather than soaking it.Another gentle method is steaming. Using an
iron, hover above your project and gently apply
steam until the knitting relaxes. For really
delicate projects, protect the knitting with
a damp tea towel.While still damp, pin your work out to the correct
measurements or until your stitch pattern looks
nice and even. Foam mats are an ideal choice
for a base but corrugated cardboard works too.
If blocking a cardigan, make sure you pin the
two front pieces to exactly the same size.
Similarly the front and backs of a garment
should be the same length too. Don't worry if
your work dries out a little bit when you're trying
to pin it, just spray it with water to keep the
stitches relaxed. Now leave to dry naturally.
For larger garments this could take up to a
couple of days but it's worth it!STITCH MARKERS
Ring stitch markers can be placed on
your needle and are useful to show
sections of the pattern on your row. It
often helps to place a marker before
and after every pattern repeat to help
you keep your place and show where
the motifs lie. Slip these markers on
every row.LIFELINE
Lace is notoriously diicult to unpick so
try using a lifeline. After you've completed
one full pattern repeat, insert a length of
thin contrasting thread or yarn through
the stitches on the needle, making sure
enough hangs out at each end. Do not
thread this through any markers.
If you make a mistake during the next
repeat, instead of taking the work back
stitch-by-stitch, you can simply remove
your needle and unravel your work. The
lifeline will keep your stitches from
unravelling too far, so you won't have to
undo more than is necessary. Once
unravelled, transfer your stitches back to
your needle, ensuring they are not
twisted, then have another go at the next
pattern section. At the end of a correct
repeat section, move the lifeline or
simply insert a new one.