So, for my first true lace piece, I’m going to attempt Branching Out, from Knitty. The pattern is copied below, with all of the abbreviations spelled out, so that I can print this & not have to come back to the computer when I forget what the heck a SSK is supposed to be.
Note, also, that the description of what SSK means was actually taken from Wool Works’ FAQ instead of Knitty’s, because Knitty’s description is pretty darned non-descriptive.
Also interesting to me in this pattern is that “Sl1” is done purlwise when in the “sl-k2tog-p2sso”. Strange to me, and I’m wondering if it’s always that way, or just for this pattern, or what.
Abbreviations:
- k3tog: knit three stitches together
- sl-k2tog-psso: slip one stitch purlwise, knit the next two stitches together, pass the slipped stitch over
- sl2-k1-p2sso: slip two stitches together knitwise (i.e., slip two stitches as if to knit them together), knit the next stitch, pass the two slipped stitches over
- k2tog: knit two together
- SSK: slip one stitch as if you were going to knit it; slip the next stitch the same way; put both stitches back onto the left needle; and knit them together.
Beginning the Pattern:
- Loosely cast on 25 stitches.
- Work 5 rows in garter stitch (knit each row).
- Begin working lace pattern following either chart (and Pattern Notes) or written instructions below.
Do until you’re done in:
Row 1 [RS]: k3, ssk, yo, k5, [yo, k1] 5 times, yo, k5, yo, k2tog, k3 (31 sts) Row 2 [WS]: k3, p25, k3 Row 3 [RS]: k3, ssk, yo, ssk, k1, [k2tog, yo] 2 times, k3, yo, k1, yo, k3, [yo, ssk] 2 times, k1, k2tog, yo, k2tog, k3 (31 sts) Row 4 [WS]: k3, p25, k3 Row 5 [RS]: k3, ssk, yo, k3tog, yo, k2tog, yo, k5, yo, k1, yo, k5, yo, ssk, yo, sl1-k2tog-psso, yo, k2tog, k3 (31 sts) Row 6 [WS]: k3, p25, k3 Row 7 [RS]: k3, k3tog, yo, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, k1, k2tog, yo, sl2-k1-p2sso, yo, ssk, k1, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, yo, sl1-k2tog-psso, k3 (27 sts) Row 8 [WS]: k3, p21, k3 Row 9 [RS]: k4, k2tog, yo, k3, yo, k3tog, yo, sl2-k1-p2sso, yo, sl1-k2tog-psso, yo, k3, yo, ssk, k4 (25 sts) Row 10 [WS]: k3, p19, k3 Wrap up:
- Work 5 rows in garter stitch.
- BO all sts loosely.
For the Graphic People:, check out Knitty’s Chart
This work is licensed under a
Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License.
Ahhh, Branching out. I ripped it back twice before I gave up. It doesn’t fit my definition of “easy lace”. Intermediate lace maybe.
It is very pretty though, so I might have to give it another go.
I’d advise using lifelines – at the end of a pattern repeat use a sewing needle and a smooth thread (eg cotton- different to the yarn you’re knitting with) to thread through all the stitches on the needle – then if you have to rip it back at all you can rip back to that point and pick the stitches up really easily.
Ah, well done on jumping into the lace knitting. Very pretty pattern! And good on Isobel for the great advice for the lifeline. Shared like a true lace knitter!
Looking forward to seeing the progress…
beautiful choice! good luck with it. the lifeline advice is good. look forward to knowing how it goes. have fun.
I will most certainly use lifelines – and thank you so much for telling me about them! I’ve been pretty much knitting in isolation, so I’d never heard of anything of the sort. They’d have helped so much before then, but I’ll certainly be glad for the help with this one.
Now to find the yarn … I’m thinking Lana Grossa. 😉