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Tortoise Insertion

Large diamond lace insertion knit from a Victorian era knitting pattern
The sample shows three vertical repeats of the pattern. It was knit with size 10 perle cotton on 2.25mm needles and measures 12 cm/4¾” wide.

Pattern

In Words

Cast on 31 sts and knit 1 row

Row 1 (RS): p4, k9, ssk, yo, k1, yo, k2tog, k9, p4

Row 2 and all wrong side rows: purl

Row 3: p4, k8, ssk, yo, k3, yo, k2tog, k8, p4

Row 5: p4, k7, ssk, yo, k5, yo, k2tog, k7, p4

Row 7: p4, k6, (ssk, yo, k1) twice, yo, k2tog, k1, yo, k2tog, k6, p4

Row 9: p4, k5, ssk, yo, k1, ssk, yo, k3, yo, k2tog, k1, yo, k2tog, k5, p4

Row 11: p4, k4, ssk, yo, k1, ssk, yo, k5, yo, k2tog, k1, yo, k2tog, k4, p4

Row 13: p4, k3, (ssk, yo, k1) three times, (yo, k2tog, k1) twice, yo, k2tog, k3, p4

Row 15: p4, k2, (ssk, yo, k1) twice, ssk, yo, k3, (yo, k2tog, k1) twice, yo, k2tog, k2, p4

Row 17: p4, (k1, ssk, yo) three times, k5, (yo, k2tog, k1) three times, p4

Row 19: p4, (ssk, yo, k1) twice, ssk, yo, k7, (yo, k2tog, k1) twice, yo, k2tog, p4

Row 21: p4, k2, (yo, k2tog, k1) twice, yo, k2tog, k3, ssk, (yo, k1, ssk) twice, yo, k2, p4

Row 23: p4, k3, (yo, k2tog, k1) three times, ssk, (yo, k1, ssk) twice, yo, k3, p4

Row 25: p4, k4, (yo, k2tog, k1) twice, yo, k3tog, (yo, k1, ssk) twice, yo, k4, p4

Row 27: p4, k5, yo, k2tog, k1, yo, k2tog, k3, ssk, yo, k1, ssk, yo, k5, p4

Row 29: p4, k6, (yo, k2tog, k1) twice, ssk, yo, k1, ssk, yo, k6, p4

Row 31: p4, k7, yo, k2tog, k1, yo, k3tog, yo, k1, ssk, yo, k7, p4

Row 33: p4, k8, yo, k2tog, k3, ssk, yo, k8, p4

Row 35: p4, k9, yo, k2tog, k1, ssk, yo, k9, p4

Row 37: p4, k10, yo, k3tog, yo, k10, p4

These 38 rows form the pattern. Repeat for desired length.

Chart

Click here if you would prefer a stitch map

Cast on 31 sts and knit 1 row

Chart for knitting tortoise insertion

Legend for chart for knitting tortoise insertion

These 38 rows form the pattern. Repeat for desired length.


The original publication of this pattern is in the public domain. However, this modernised version, all charts and photographs are copyright Sarah Bradberry, August 10th 2014. All rights reserved.