Lace Knitting Pattern for Beginners (Chunky Scarf)
May contain affiliate links (what's this?)This scarf lace knitting pattern is a great introduction to lace knitting.
In this tutorial, you’ll learn basic lace stitches like the yarn over (YO), which gives lace its open airiness, and two decreases (the K2tog and SSK), which slant to the left and right respectively.
You’ll also learn how to block your scarf (a must for all lace patterns) and how to neatly attach a fringe.
Knit in super bulky weight yarn, this lace scarf comes together in no time, making it a perfect weekend knit.
For a detailed walkthrough of the this lace knitting pattern, watch the tutorial video below.
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Materials & Notes
Yarn Used: 6 balls of Lana Grossa Ragazza Lei (100% merino wool; 44 yds/50g) in color Hellblau/Grau (84)
Other Similar Yarns:
300 grams of super bulky yarn can be used instead of the Lana Grossa yarn. Some favourites include:
-
- Malabrigo Rasta (super soft one-ply handy-dyed yarn; a cult favourite)
- MillaMia Naturally Soft Super Chunky (solid-coloured 2-ply merino yarn)
- Lion Brand Hometown USA (solid-coloured acrylic yarn)
Recommended Needles: 1 set of 12mm/US 17 straight knitting needles (similar bamboo pair)
Gauge: 14 stitches/16 rows = 4″/10cm in Stockinette Stitch with 12mm needles
Finished Measurements: length is 70″
Notions:
- scissors (Amazon)
- measuring tape
- sewing pins (Amazon)
- towel (for blocking)
Lace Scarf Pattern Video Tutorial
For a step-by-step walkthrough of this lace scarf pattern, watch the video tutorial below. It goes through the entire pattern from beginning to end, including how to block the scarf and attach a fringe.
Instructions
CO 19 sts with 12mm needles
Row 1 (WS): Sl1 purlwise, purl all sts to end of row
Row 2 (RS): Sl1 knitwise, *YO, SSK, K1, K2tog, YO, K1; repeat from * to end of row
Row 3: Sl1 purlwise, purl all sts to end of row
Row 4: Sl1 knitwise, K1, *YO, Sl2 knitwise, K1, P2SSO, YO, K3; repeat from * to last 2 sts, K2
Repeat Rows 1-4 until scarf measures 17” or desired length
Block or steam block scarf so that lacy holes are prominent
Fringe: Cut 3 strands of yarn that measure 10” in length. Fold this fringe bundle in half and attach to end of scarf. Make 5 more fringe bundles and attach lengthwise to end of scarf. A total of 6 fringe bundles will be attached to one scarf end. Repeat on the other end of the scarf.
Abbreviations:
CO: cast on
K: knit
K2tog: knit two stitches together
P2SSO: pass 2 slipped stitches over next stitch
RS: right side of knitting
Sl1 knitwise: slip 1 stitch as if to knit
Sl1 purlwise: slip 1 stitch as if to purl
SSK: slip 1 stitch, slip 1 stitch, knit 2 slipped stitches together
St(s): stitch(es)
WS: wrong side of knitting
YO: yarn over
* * : repeat instructions between asterisks the number of times indicated
Support Sheep & Stitch!
While the pattern instructions and video tutorial are free and available above, for the price of a fancy coffee, you can support Sheep & Stitch by purchasing a PDF file of this pattern. This PDF file is beautifully laid out and ready to be printed out by you!
To purchase this pattern, click the button above or visit the pattern shop. Upon purchase, the pattern PDF file will be delivered to you by email. Thank you for your support!
Hi, I am a beginner Indy dyer and spinner (not so beginner) that just loves your videos and patterns. I would like permission to use the links on your website to send my customers to when they purchase my yarns.
I look forward to your reply asap.
Many thanks,
Debs Latham
Felt Like It and Knit Wit Yarns
debsjane57@gmail.com
I live in Western Australia
Hi Deborah, feel free to link to this website!
Can we use any yarn for this Scarf?
Hey, Davina – Love your tutorials! I was wondering if more than one color could be used in this pattern – if so, where would you suggest making the switch? Thanks!
Step
Hi! I would introduce a new color at the beginning of any row. You can pick up the new color and begin knitting the next row with it. Then, weave in the ends of the old and new yarns with a tapestry needle.
Hi Davina,
I started this pattern the other day, and through the first seven rows, everything is fine, but after that every time I repeat the fourth row, I lose a stitch and I can’t figure out why.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Megan
Hey, happened to me as well, usually when i made the third row of purl. The second row, if it twisted a bit on the needle, not always obvious where to stitch, what is one and what is two place of stitch. I always counting stitches when i make the purl row. The other possibility, you’re missing one yarn over…thats the second most common mistake what i use to make…
Is this a 6+1 repeat pattern? I want to make it narrower for a child scarf.
Yes, it is a 6+1 repeat.
Really beautiful pattern and your tutorial is so easy to follow. Would you recommend this pattern for a small lap blanket/throw?
Hi Davina,
Beginner here. Is it possible to do the same pattern with smaller needles and going down in yarn weight? Can’t seem to find 12mm needles where I am. Largest I can get is 10mm. Could I just go down in yarn weight to still ensure the holes of the lace pattern are visible? How would you recommend adjusting the yarn I choose? Thanks!
Hi Mi! You can use 10mm. I would suggest blocking the scarf a bit more aggressively to get the same finished measurements. Lace is very flexible because of the airy YOs, so there’s a lot of wiggle room. Hope that helps!
Hey Davina,
I’m sort of an intermediate knitter know (eh maybe not). I really like this pattern and I was wondering if I could use this pattern to make a blanket? I’m trying to make it for a friend, and they want a light, lacy, and airy blanket for decoration. The problem is: I only have Lana Grossa yarn, and I can’t find a pattern for a chunky lacy blanket. Would I have to tweak the pattern at all? I figured that I’d just cast on the amount of stitches needed for the size blanket I’m making and follow the pattern. Also, I’m using size 15 (US) needles.
Thanks so much for the clarification, and I sincerely love all of your content and patterns!!
-Nazah
What needle size would you use for bulky (#5) yarn, if i wanted to use some superwash merino bulky that I already have? Would this work with your pattern?
Hi, Davina. Thank you for such a beautiful scarf pattern! That said, I was wondering what the multiples of this pattern is since a friend would like this scarf skinnier, like a CO of 11 or something?
Thank you, again!
Hi, again, Davina. I realized when reading the pattern that it was probabl a multiple of 6 +1, so I cast on 13 and so far so good!! 😀
Hi Davina: I am floored with the clarity of your tutorial. You are a great tutor! You can make a beginner feel comfortable with the details. Same type of question: I have a straight needle size US No. 9 and a US No. 15 pair for a super bulky alpaca-acrylic combo yarn. Please advise if either can be used. If not, a No.12 can be arranged. Thanks again!
Is the 4th row of pattern correct?
thank you.
Hi, Davina! I absolutely adore your patterns and tutorials! I’ve never tried lace before and thought this would be the perfect pattern. However, I keep losing 2 stitches somewhere. Any ideas where I’m going wrong? Thanks!
Hi,
There is a strange thing going on. As it progresses, the stitches are increasing past the 19 stitches. It is getting wider and wider. What am I doing wrong?
Thanks
Hi Devina I love ur tutorials and I almost made everything but in my place, big needles r not available so can u recommend me a smaller needle size like 5 or 6 mm needles with numbers of studies plz?
I would really be happy if u reply me
Davina, I am a beginner knitter and am so happy to have found your website. Your positive can do attitude and videos are very motivational. I have made three scarves now including the in the round cowl and really want to make this but have started over 9 times now. I keep dropping stitches. I think I have it then I count at the end of each row and boom a mistake. The two flat scarves were easy to back up but this pattern is more complex and I’m removing all the stitches back to the very beginning. I would be done by now. Any suggestions? At first I thought I was missing the yarn overs. It would be good if I could figure out where my errors are and correct them from that point so I would not have to start from scratch. Thank you!
Hi!
I am a beginner knitter and I was wondering if I could I could use weight 3 yarn for this pattern? If not, do you have a pattern for weight 3 yarn that only uses 70 grams of yarn that I could gift to a lady?
Hi! I loved this pattern! The only problem is that when I blocked it with water, it didn’t work? It’s still all round. I’m wondering if it’s the yarn? Do you have any tips? Thanks!
Hey! I’ve had issues with my blocking! It doesn’t work. I tried blocking it but it did absolutely nothing… I think it might be my yarn? Do you have any suggestions/other ways to flatten my scarf? Thanks.
Hi Davina,
I’m only a beginner-intermediate knitter (thanks to learning from your amazing tutorials!) and I was wondering if you had any other yarn suggestions for this project?
From what I have learnt from wool, the yarn in this pattern might pill badly because it barely has any twist and is not tight, even though it’s a 14ply. I really want to make this pattern but was wondering if you have any suggestions for wool that won’t pill as much? Thankyou again so much for amazing tutorials!