Knitting Lace Curtains

It looks intimidating, but knitting lace curtains isn't as difficult as it may appear. All you need to know to knit lace curtains are the two basic knitting stitches (knit and purl), and how to yarn over to make holes for a lacy look. Although you don't want to see those dreaded holes (as a result of a dropped stitch) in regular knitting, you'll purposely want to make those holes in lace knitting.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 2-ply (lightweight) knitting yarn Straight knitting needles (Check yarn label for size.) Tape measure Calculator Sewing thread and needle

1. Practice yarning over (yo) before beginning a pattern, as it's best to have at least some experience doing this stitch, as well as other basic knitting skills like increasing and decreasing knit and purl stitches.

2. Measure your window for width and length. Next, calculate how much extra knitting fabric you'll need to give both panels fullness (gathering). One and a half (1.5) fullness is a reasonable allowance. For example, if your window is 36-inches wide, multiply 36 by 1.5 for a total of 54 inches. Because you're making two identical pairs, divide by two for the width of each lace curtain, giving you 27 inches for each knitted lace panel. As for length, do you want full length or café curtains? Allow for an additional two inches for top and bottom. You'll need to run a curtain rod through the top and take a hem.

3. For a simple design knit one (K1), then yarn over (yo). Next, knit two together (k2tog), repeating to the end of the first row and ending with knit one (k1). Purl the next row, and all even rows thereafter. Repeat this pattern for the desired length. When you yarn over and then knit two together, you balance out the stitches, making it even.

4. Knit either widthwise or lengthwise. Probably, working widthwise is easier for many knitters because there are fewer stitches to work in a row, even though the length is longer

5. Fold the top of knitting about two inches and whip stitch with sewing thread on the wrong side, leaving openings at both ends for a curtain rod. Fold the bottom two inches of the fabric and whip stitch on the wrong side to hem.

6. Find a pattern for laced knitting. For your first project, choose one that's simple and then graduate to more challenging designs.

Tips & Warnings

• Once you've mastered simple lace knitting designs, experiment with more advanced patterns that include diamond eyelets, snowflakes, ribbon eyelet, and grand eyelet designs. Cotton thread can be substituted for lightweight sporting yarn, giving a lighter feel and appearance. Knitting with larger sized needles allows more sunlight to shine through curtain panels. What's more, working loosely with larger needles also helps for a lacier and airier look.

Resources

• Eyelet Patterns
• You Tube - Yarn Over (yo)