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Leaf Lace Kerchief

Leaf lace kerchief

This pattern was made as part of the LibriVox project to knit and record from Exercises in Knitting by Cornelia Mee. The stitch pattern used is the “Leaf Pattern” as part of the twelve chair covers in the text. The yarn used in the example kerchief was South West Trading Company’s Pure, 100% Soysilk and was knit on size US 6 circular needles. Meeting an exact gauge is not important for this pattern, as you will be knitting until it is as big as you want.

To Start

For “M1” you can use any increase you like, but the following is recommended for an invisible increase: When you arrive at “M1” do a yarn over at this point, and knit twisted into the yarn over on the following row. All other yarn overs should be knit normally.

pm = place marker
YO = yarn over
SSK = slip slip knit
K2TOG = knit 2 together
S2-K1-PSSO = slip 2 together knitwise, k1, pass the slipped stitches over

CO 3 stitches.

Rows 1-3 = Knit all stitches

Row 4 = K1, (M1, K1) two times

Row 5 = K5

Row 6 = K1, (M1, K1) four times

Row 7 = K5, pm, K4

The Pattern Rows

Row 8 = K3, YO, K to the marker, YO, K1, YO, K to the last 3 sts, YO, K3

Row 9 and all other odd numbered rows = K3, P to the last 3 stitches, K3

Rows 10-15 = Repeat rows 8 and 9.

Row 16 = K3, YO, K1, M1, K to one stitch before the marker, M1, K1, YO, K1, YO, K1, M1, K to the last 4 sts, M1, K1, YO, K3

Row 18 = K3, YO, K1, *YO, K3, K2TOG, K1, SSK, K3, YO, K1* repeat from * to the marker, YO, K1, YO, K1, *YO, K3, K2TOG, K1, SSK, K3, YO, K1* repeat from * to the marker, YO, K3

Row 20 = K3, YO, K3, *YO, K2, K2TOG, K1, SSK, K2, YO, K3* repeat from * to the marker, YO, K1, YO, K3, *YO, K2, K2TOG, K1, SSK, K2, YO, K3* repeat from * to the marker, YO, K3

Row 22 = K3, YO, K5, *YO, K1, K2TOG, K1, SSK, K1, YO, K5* repeat from * to the marker, YO, K1, YO, K5, *YO, K1, K2TOG, K1, SSK, K1, YO, K5* repeat from * to the marker, YO, K3

Row 24 = K3, YO, K7, *YO, K2TOG, K1, SSK, YO, K7* repeat from * to the marker, YO, K1, YO, K7, *YO, K2TOG, K1, SSK, YO, K7* repeat from * to the marker, YO, K3

Row 26 The first time you work row 26 work it as follows: K3, YO, K1, M1, K8, YO, S2-K1-PSSO, YO, K8, M1, K1, (YO, K1) 2 times, M1, K8, YO, S2-K1-PSSO, YO, K8, M1, K1, YO, K3

When repeating rows 18 -26 work row 26 as follows: K3, YO, K1, M1, K8, (YO, S2-K1-PSSO, YO, K9) repeat from * to 12 stitches before the marker, YO, S2-K1-PSSO, YO, K8, M1, K1, (YO, K1) 2 times, M1, K8, (YO, S2-K1-PSSO, YO, K9) repeat from * to 15 stitches from the end, YO, S2-K1-PSSO, YO, K8, M1, K1, YO, K3

Repeat rows 18 to 27 until the kerchief is as large as you want it. Do not bind off.

Adding the Ties

This part of the pattern starts on a right side row, so make sure you have just finished your wrong side row. You’ll notice “wrap and turn” in the pattern, but there will be no need to knit the wraps with the stitches as in short-rows knitting.

Row 1 = K3, M1, K2, wrap and turn.

Row 2 = K6

Repeat rows 1 and 2 until the tie is as long as you want them. You will have a long edge on your needles as you are increasing stitches every other row. Begin to bind off your stitches all the way to the last 6 stitches. There should be 6 stitches remaining on your needles to knit the second tie.

Row 1 = K2 (there should now be 3 stitches on your working needle), M1, K3

Row 2 = K5, wrap and turn

Repeat rows 1 and 2 until the tie is as long as the first. End with row 1, and bind off the last of your stitches.

Weave in your ends, making sure to weave in a bit at the spot where both bind-off edges meet to tighten the gap.

Block if desired, and tie around your head!