Free Lace Knitting Patterns – Easy Scarf Pattern + Links
I have to admit the only lace knitting pattern I’ve done is a very simple one but I’ve made several beautiful scarves from it, and each one looks different. I’ll include this lace pattern, plus links to other lacy knitting patterns in my post.
This simple lace pattern can be varied according to the yarn and knitting needle size used and the width of the cast on. The purple lace scarf at the right was made of Sensations boucle and I made this pattern in three different colors at Christmas. For this one I used size 15 knitting needles and cast on 32 stitches.
Recently I bought some beautiful Kudo yarn by Plymouth Yarn Company that I thought would make a terrific lightweight spring scarf. It’s made of 55% cotton, 40% rayon and 5% silk. I used size 10 knitting needles for this lace pattern and cast on 38.
Here is the lace knitting pattern I use:
Cast on an even number of stitches to make the scarf or shawl as wide as you like.
Knit 3 rows
Row 4 *K2, yo, k2tog* Repeat this combination until last 2 stitches, then K2
Row 5 Knit across.
Alternate rows 4 and 5 until the scarf is as long as you want it to be, then Knit 3 more rows and bind off.
I realize that many lace knitting patterns are a lot more complicated than mine and I’ve found some links to beautiful patterns that you can download for free.
Knitting Pattern Central – offers dozens of lace scarf patterns.
Knitting Daily offers seven free lace knitting patterns for providing your email address. I sent for mine and the photos look beautiful.
Knitter’s Review offers an easy lace knitting pattern. Might even be simple enough for me to try! Also provides some basic instruction on yarn overs, knit2 together and others necessary for lace knitting.
The Yarn Harlot’s Snowdrop shawl Stephanie Pearl-McPhee’s Yarn Harlot blog is always worth checking out, as are her terrific books about knitting.
Numei three lace knitting patterns that are very pretty and free!
Ravelry.com – Dozens of lace knitting patterns. Some are free, some aren’t. Registration is required but if you aren’t a member of Ravelry, you should sign up for free and
check out the forums and patterns. On Ravelry, I’m NTxKnitter. Here’s a link to my projects page there.
V-Lace Knitting Pattern at Splindling.com. Instructions on how to use it to make a lacy headband too.
Lion Brand Knitted Lace Patterns – Shawls, baby blankets, gloves, scarves and more. Forty-six lace patterns in all.
These links to free patterns were the ones I liked the best. Lace knitting can be complicated but it’s always beautiful and worth the effort.
If you don’t mind paying a few dollars for a pattern, go to Etsy.com and search “lace knitting patterns.” There are some very beautiful patterns there, original designs by the artists with stores on the website.
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This post has 23 comments
February 18th, 2011
on the lace scarf do you keep repeating k 2, or just keep repeating the yo, k 2 tog, at end knit 2 because there were no ( ) thank you
February 18th, 2011
The pattern across should work out so that you knit 2 at the beginning and end of each yarn over row. The knit 2 at the beginning and end of the row will help create an edging.
Hope that helps.
February 18th, 2011
So looking at the pattern again….you dont repeat the knit 2…just repeat yo , k 2 together…..you dont have a * near the yo, k 2 together…..then only k 2 at the end….thanks again….it looks like you would be repeating the knit 2 all through the line….thank
February 18th, 2011
Thanks Kit. I amended the pattern to reflect more closely what I meant. Sometimes I don’t realize mistakes or things that aren’t clear until someone else tries the pattern and can’t figure it out based on what I wrote. I appreciate your taking the time to write and let me know!
March 13th, 2011
So I understand this pattern, you would K2 then *YO, K2tog*, continue this pattern to last two stitches and then K2. Right?
March 14th, 2011
Hi Patti, Thanks for your question. Yes, you are exactly right!
Joan
February 22nd, 2011
thank you for the reply and i would like to know if lace scarves need to be blocked…itlooks fine as it is…..thanks so much
March 21st, 2011
What is YO? How do you do it? I’m a beginner!
Thanks.
March 22nd, 2011
Thanks for your question Marilyn. YO is a yarn over. Here is a good video on youtube to explain it.
Yarn Over video
March 26th, 2012
I can’t get the video on yarn over….do you do it from the front or the back? It makes a big difference.
March 26th, 2012
Thanks for your question, Joan. You wind the yarn around your needle from front to back.
April 3rd, 2011
I’m looking for a lacy triange shawl pattern for warmer weather and a heavier pattern for cool weather. So far all I’ve found are the conventional rectangle style. Does anyone know where I can find these?
April 3rd, 2011
This sounds like a great idea for an article, Maggie. Look for some pattern resources this coming week.
thanks so much for taking the time to comment.
December 23rd, 2011
Hi Joan
I love these lacy patterns but have a serious issue which keeps me from making them. I can’t figure out what to do if I have to tear back a row or two. Do you know where I might find clear instructions (like a video) that explains how to tear out YO’s and pick up on the next row? I’d really appreciate the help!
December 24th, 2011
Thanks for your question, Barb. When I have to tear out, I go back to a row that is a simple row of knitted stitches, not the yarn over rows. If you are afraid your stitches will fall out, you can add them to the second needle as you take out each one so you don’t drop any. If you do drop one, pick it up with a crochet hook. Instructions for picking up a drop stitch are on YouTube and other places. Hope that helps.
Joan
February 5th, 2012
In re needle size. Are you using american or english needles as the size varies between the two.
February 5th, 2012
Hi Susan,
Thanks for the question. I use American sizes.
Joan
March 15th, 2012
Is there another site where I can copy this pattern without having to make 14 page copies?
Thanks
March 16th, 2012
Hi Paula,
You can do a cut and paste of the pattern or a “print page” option on your printer.
April 17th, 2012
Thank you so much for this pattern, as a beginner this is just what I have been looking for. Just as pretty as a much more complicated lacy scarf that took me forever. I think I have found my Christmas gift pattern.
April 18th, 2012
Thanks for your comment, Paula! I can’t tell you how many scarves I’ve made from this pattern. Wide ones, skinny ones, all sorts of yarns. All my 4 daughters have one, which I did a couple Christmas’s ago. You get a different look with each color and type of yarn.
April 28th, 2012
Thank you for the EASY pattern. I had been looking for something easy that is pretty and lacy. My 8 yr. old granddaughter is interested in learning to knit also.
Thanks, Carol
April 28th, 2012
Thanks for your nicecomment, Carol. I have a granddaughter who wants to learn to knit too. It’s so much fun to spend time with the grandkids doing something special. You can teach your grandaughter something she can do all of her life-thinking of you each time she knits something.