Ring of Lace Wrap

HeartStrings knitting pattern #H45

Ring of Lace is an airy, lightweight circle of color that can be worn in a variety of ways. This design is an example of how a project in hand-dyed yarn can be planned according to the length of color repeat to create 'faux ikat' effects.

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	This lacy ring of light and color transforms into many wearing possibilities. Pictured model was knitted in Schaefer Yarns Andrea 100% Silk, color Elena Piscopia.
Crossed vest style	Double Looped	Draped

Allow 450 yards of hand-dyed laceweight yarn with a 54" color repeat for blocked measurements of 63" circumference x 10" length, or desired length with yardage adjustment. 19 stitches/4 inches over blocked lace pattern, size US 2½ / 3 mm needles suggested.

Pattern has 4 pages. 6 photos. Written stitch instructions.
Stitch skills needed: knit, knit 2 stitches together through back loops, yarn over.

Tutorials and skill-building technique write-ups included in pattern: faux ikat knitting tutorial, crochet cast on (2 methods), no-knit bind off (2 methods)

Alice J writes:

... I just have to congratulate you on such a nice design, but after 60 years of knitting, ... no matter what I do, the ring gets a twist in it! So many stitches on a fine needle - it's tough! ... Really interested to know how you ever did that???

Optional related tutorials available separately:

• Join Without Twisting: a foolproof method ($)
• The Lifeline: Knitter's Insurance (free, donation appreciated)

Faux Ikat

True Ikat is a style of weaving that uses custom-dyed warp or weft threads that are resist-dyed (e.g. tie-dye). When the threads are woven, they will create an intricately designed fabric that appears to have been printed.

I use faux ikat to achieve ikat-type effects in knitted fabric using variegated yarn that has been hand-dyed. The result retains the bold areas of color that we are often attracted to originally in the unwound skein, rather than resulting in the colors becoming broken visual mixed (and often muted) when knitted randomly. The Ring of Lace pattern includes a bonus mini-tutorial on knitted faux ikat.

Sample cover page of the Ring of Lace Wrap knitting pattern. Click picture to open document in another window. Requires Adobe Reader v7.0 or higher to view.

See more patterns in the Knitted Shawls Collection.