Make a statement with your knitting skills and create a beautiful, lace-knit cowl that not only looks amazing but is also comfortable to wear in any weather. With a bit of fingering weight yarn and three different yet equally stylish lace knitting stitches, you’ll be ready to show off Tahitian Sunset, a work of fiber art, in no time!
The beauty of combining lace knitting stitches into a cowl lies in the intricate patterns you can quickly create. Not only does this create an eye-catching, unique fashion look, but it also allows the cowl to be more lightweight, making it the perfect accessory for spring and summer.
A cowl is also a great place to try new things! The project is just big enough to get comfortable with the new lace knitting stitches but it’s still a quick project that you can get on and off the needles in a flash.
Note: The yarn for this pattern was provided for me at no charge by the yarn company. Yarn support allows designers, like me, to continue to provide you with gorgeous patterns while we grow!
Understanding the Basics of Lace Knitting Stitches
One thing I love most about lace is that you can create gorgeous, intricate patterns with really simple stitches.
In addition to your super basic knit and purl stitch, the most common stitch you’ll work with is a yarn over (yo). These yarn overs create eyelets or decorative holes in your fabric. The shape and pattern of these eyelets is determined by the decreases.
This pattern makes use of 4 different kinds of decreases to produce 3 different styles of lace knitting stitches. K2tog and ssk are the bread and butter of decreases. But if you haven’t tried a p3tog or CDD (centered double decrease) then you’ll be glad to add these fabulous stitches to your arsenal.
Understanding how each of these lace stitches work together will help you create more (easy) intricate lace patterns when knitting your cowl.
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How Lace Knitting Stitches Effect the Knit Fabric
When a decrease is placed exactly next to a yarn over, an eyelet is created. For example, when you’re instructed to “k2tog, yo, k3, yo, ssk”, you’ve created two mirrored eyelets. In a pattern made with eyelets, the fabric stays flat, with straight lined across your rows and columns.
When yarn overs and decreases are knit in different sections, the fabric begins to change and waves are formed. For example, when you’re instructed to “yo, k2, cdd, k2, yo,” over the same 7 stitches and you do this for multiple right side rows, the fabric will begin to contract where the decreases are made, pulling downward. And the fabric will expand where the yo’s are made, pushing upward.
This is why the 2 types of lace knitting stitches in the body of the cowl remain in straight rows, whereas the lace at the edge of the cowl turns to waves.
Lace is fabulous and adds a ton of elegance and style to any knitting pattern. But lace knitting stitches can take a fair bit of concentration when you’re first working out a new pattern.
This is why I incorporated garter stitch sections into Tahitian Sunset. This simple stitch is worked by knitting every row. There’s nothing more chill than that! Garter stitch adds texture and stability to the knit fabric and a bit of calm to your knitting experience.
Seam Your Cowl for Finishing Touches
This cowl is worked flat so that garter stitch is extra easy to create. So once you’ve created your lacy work of art, it’s time to finish off the cowl by sewing up the edges of the knitting together to create a tube.
The pattern shows you exactly how to line up the edges and then it’s just a few quick stitches to seam it up.
Not fan of seams? No worries! You can use a whipstitch or even crochet the two edges together along the inside; just make sure it matches in tension with the knit produced.
Once all sides are secured, weave in any loose ends left behind from the knitting. Your beautiful and fashionable cowl is now ready to wear!
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Who Made that Fabulous Yarn?!?
I discovered KraeO while walking the marketplace at Vogue Knitting Live. Kristin had beautiful colors that I just kept coming back to again and again.
It was sooooo hard to choose. But I LOVE the combination we came up with!
One thing I love about Kristin and KraeO? It’s home of the Fuzz Family! All of her bases are family members in one big, crazy fiber family. I picked up two skeins of Twisted Sister, but there’s also Big Brother (Aran), Mama Bear (DK), Uncle Mulberry (a silky worsted), and more!
Tell Me More About Tahitian Sunset
Well since you asked!
Discover the art of slow fashion and add an elegant touch to your wardrobe with Tahitian Sunset. this lace cowl knitting pattern is the perfect ‘go-to’ for the knitter who wants to make a statement. The intricate, yet easy lace knitting stitch featured in this pattern is sure to elevate any look.
This beautiful design is made with a fingering weight yarn and features detailed instructions with supportive photos. The pattern is both written and charted, so anyone can enjoy the design. The pattern is both adventurous and straightforward, allowing you to make a stunningly sophisticated cowl with ease.
No matter the occasion, the Tahitian Sunset will turn heads. From casual days to dressy occasions, this timeless pattern will become a favorite accessory that you reach for time and time again. Impress your friends with a unique cowl made from quality materials.
CDD – centered double decrease – slip 2 sts knitwise at the same time (needle goes into the second st first and the two sts are pulled off at the same time. Knit the third st. Pass the first two sts over the third st as if to BO.
CO – cast on
k – knit
k2tog – knit 2 sts together
kfb – a 1-st increase – knit front back
p – purl
p3tog – purl 3 sts together
rep – repeat
RS – right side (the side seen when wearing)
sl – slip stitches purlwise with yarn in back unless otherwise indicated
ssk – slip 2 sts knitwise one at a time, then knit the two stitches together through the back loop
wyif – with yarn in front
WS – wrong side (the side facing the body when wearing)
yo – yarn over
Your free pattern is on its way!
In the meantime, join in the conversation at Nurtured Knitters, our Facebook group! Ask questions, share photos, and join a community made to lift you up!
Important Notes
Stitch Counts
In Row 23 & 24, each [yo, k1] pairing is counted as a single stitch because the double stitch will be decreased back to a single stitch on Row 25.
Tip: Keeping the I-Cord Loose
The I-cord edge can get tight if I’m not careful, so on the RS instead of just slipping the stitch, I work a slip 1 yarn over (wrapping the yarn over over the top of a stitch) and then on the WS I drop the yarn over. This gives me a repeatable bit of ease that helps keep my I-cord nice and stretchy!
Carrying Yarn
To have fewer ends to weave in, you can carry your MC up the edge along the 6 rows of CC in the increase section. For a clean edge, “catch” the yarn between the first and second stitches. To “catch” the yarn, lay the MC over the top of the CC yarn—between the working yarn and the knitting. This traps the yarn in place but is not visible on the RS.
How to Join
Tahitian Sunset is worked flat from small end to large. After blocking, you’ll sew end A to end a. (The cowl pictured is Lakes of Titan, another free lace cowl pattern on this website!)
Lakes of Titan: The Free Knitting Pattern
Cowl Increase
Using MC, CO 34 sts. Turn and knit across.
Row 1 (RS): K1, kfb, k to last 3 sts, k1, sl1 wyif, k1 – 35 sts.
Row 2 (WS): Sl1 wyif, k1, sl1 wyif, k to end.
Rows 3-22: Rep Rows 1 & 2 – 45 sts.
Attach CC.
Row 23: K1, kfb, * yo, k1, rep from * to last 3 sts, k1, sl1 wyif, k1 – 46 sts.
Row 24: Sl1 wyif, k1, sl1 wyif, k to end.
Row 25: K3, yo, * k2tog, rep from * to last 3 sts, k1, sl1 wyif, k1 – 47 sts.
Row 26: Sl1 wyif, k1, sl1 wyif, * yo, k2tog, rep from * to last 4 sts, k4.
Row 27: K3, yo, k1, * yo, k2tog, rep from * to last 3 sts, k1, sl1 wyif, k1 – 48 sts.
Row 28: Sl1 wyif, k1, sl1 wyif, * yo, k2tog, rep from * to last 3 sts, k3.
Cut CC.
Rep Rows 1-28 an additional 4 (5, 6) times – 104 (118, 132) sts.
Row 1: K3, * yo, k5, cdd, k5, yo, k1, rep from * to last 3 sts, k1, sl1 wyif, k1.
Row 2: Sl1 wyif, k1, sl1 wyif, * p4, k7, p3, rep from * to last 3 sts, k3.
Row 3: K3, * k1, yo, k2, p2, p3tog, p2, k2, yo, k2, rep from * to last 3 sts, k1, sl1 wyif, k1.
Row 4: Sl1 wyif, k1, sl1 wyif, * p5, k5, p4, rep from * to last 3 sts, k3.
Row 5: K3, * k2, yo, k2, p1, p3tog, p1, k2, yo, k3, rep from * to last 3 sts, k1, sl1 wyif, k1.
Row 6: Sl1 wyif, k1, sl1 wyif, * p6, k3, p5, rep from * to last 3 sts, k3.
Row 7: K3, * k3, yo, k2, p3tog, k2, yo, k4, rep from * to last 3 sts, k1, sl1 wyif, k1.
Row 8: Sl1 wyif, k1, sl1 wyif, * p7, k1, p6, rep from * to last 3 sts, k3.
Row 9: K3, * yo, ssk, k2, yo, k1, cdd, k1, yo, k2, k2tog, yo, p1, rep from * to last 3 sts, k1, sl1 wyif, k1.
Row 10: Sl1 wyif, k1, sl1 wyif, * k1, p11, k2, rep from * to last 3 sts, k3.
Row 11: K3, * p1, yo, ssk, k2, yo, cdd, yo, k2, k2tog, yo, p2, rep from * to last 3 sts, k1, sl1 wyif, k1.
Row 12: Sl1 wyif, k1, sl1 wyif, * k2, p9, k3, rep from * to last 3 sts, k3.
Cut CC & attach MC.
Wind Down Section 3 – Garter Wave
Rows 1 & 3: K to last 3 sts, k1, sl1 wyif, k1.
Rows 2, 4 & 6: Sl1 wyif, k1, sl1 wyif, k to end.
Row 5: K3, *kfb, kfb, ssk, ssk, k1, ssk, ssk, kfb, kfb, k1, rep from * to last 3 sts, k1, sl1 wyif, k1.
Rows 7-11: Rep Rows 3-6, then rep Row 1 one additional time.
Bind Off
BO all sts using the i-cord BO detailed below or using preferred BO.
i-Cord BO
Set up: CO 2 sts using the knitted CO or e-loop CO and return the 2 sts to the lefthand needle.
Repeat: K2, k2tog. Return the 3 sts to the lefthand needle.
Work the Repeat to the end, then knit the 3 stitches together (k3tog).
Your free pattern is on its way!
In the meantime, join in the conversation at Nurtured Knitters, our Facebook group! Ask questions, share photos, and join a community made to lift you up!
Finishing
Wet block and pin to measurements, taking care to pin the wave in place and open eyelets.
When completely dry, join the CO edge to the straight edge beginning at the last CC lace section before the Wind Down and ending at the i-cord BO— see photo on page 3 to sew A to a — using a whip stitch or seam.
Grab the PDF of Lace Knitting Stitches Pattern!
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Tahitian Sunset will make a beautiful addition to your wardrobe. Reimagining your style has never been easier—or more fashionable than with these gorgeous lace knitting stitches!
Get the pattern today and start creating a classic piece that will last a lifetime.
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