Feather and Fan Stitch for Beginners
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The Feather and Fan stitch is a well-known Shetland pattern. It’s sometimes called “Old Shell” or “Old Shale” because the stitch resembles the ocean waves rolling onto sand shales.
With its four-row repeat, Feather and Fan is a great introduction to lace knitting. For such a gorgeous pattern, it’s deceptively easy to knit up.
The stitch pattern lays flat and has a scalloped edge that extends from the cast on edge to the cast off edge. It looks pretty on the reverse side as well.
This swatch is knit using Paintbox Yarns Cotton DK in the color 455 Peach Orange. This is an affordable cotton yarn that’s great for washcloths, rugs, coasters, sun hats and more. This yarn also comes in tons of colors!
Feather and Fan Knitting Video
To explore more stitches for beginners, check out the 10 Best Beginner Stitches series.
Feather and Fan Stitch:
Cast on a multiple of 18 sts
Row 1 (RS): knit all sts
Row 2: purl all sts
Row 3: *(K2tog) 3 times, (YO, K1) 6 times, (K2tog) 3 times; repeat from * to end of row
Row 4: knit all sts
Repeat Rows 1-4 for Feather and Fan knit flat
Feather and Fan Stitch in the Round:
Cast on a multiple of 18 sts
Round 1-2: knit all sts
Round 3: *(K2tog) 3 times, (YO, K1) 6 times, (K2tog) 3 times; repeat from * to end of row
Round 4: purl all sts
Repeat Rounds 1-4 for Feather and Fan in the Round
Abbreviations:
* *: Repeat instructions between the asterisks the number of time indicated
K: knit
K2tog: Knit two stitches together
RS: Right side
St(s): Stitches
YO: yarn over
Feather and Fan Knitting Chart
What Can You Knit with Feather and Fan?
Feather and Fan is a great stitch for blankets, shawls, scarves and decorative edges. Here are a few of my favourite patterns that use Feather and Fan:
This beautiful hat by Kali Berg uses Feather and Fan instead of traditional ribbing. It’s so unique and pretty! (Free pattern)
This gorgeous shawl alternates panels of Feather and Fan with stockinette stitch, making it a great beginner shawl pattern. (Free pattern)
Knitting a blanket or afghan with Feather and Fan is an excellent idea! This simple blanket pattern uses leftover yarn to showcase the pretty waves of Feather and Fan. (Free pattern)
This cosy hap blanket uses Feather and Fan edging. It has an old world feel that makes you feel like you’re in the Highlands. (Premium pattern)
If you were wanting to make a shawl, whether triangle or rectangle, how many cast one stitches would you start with?
Hi…what length needles did you use in the Feather and Fan tutorial? Do I need really long needles for this? Thanks
that will depend on,the gauge of the type of yarn and size of needles you use. i usually messer with my arms wide, how many inch’s between the tips of my fingers or that of the person i am making it for. just match the inches with the gauge
It’s called old shale because that’s what it is. Feather and fan is quite a different pattern
In the pattern we see SSK on one edge and K2TOG at the other end, but in the writing you say K2TOG on both ends… which one is correct?
Hi, I absolutely love this pattern. Could this be used for a toddler cardigan?
what row do you cast off on and what kind of cast off for feather and fan. I am make a table runner.
Thanks,
Stacy
Hi, cast off after working row 3. So Row 4 can be the cast off row.
what row do you bind off for feather and fan table runner?
Hi! I would bind off on Row 4, the knit row.
How many stitches do I cast on for a Feather and Fan baby blanket
Hi, this will depend on the yarn you’re using and the size you want the blanket to be. I would knit a gauge swatch with the yarn you have and then estimate the number of stitches you need for a baby blanket, which is normally around 36×36″
I read somewhere that feather and fan require a multiple of 14 stitches and old shale 18 stitches. Both often get confused but are not the same pattern although they look similar.