Knitted Lace vs Lace Knitting
Two terms describe two distinct categories of openwork knitting. "Knitted lace" has yarn-overs and decreases on every row; "lace knitting" has them only on right-side rows, with plain purl wrong-side rows. The distinction matters because the two have different difficulty levels and visual effects.
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Lace knitting
YO and decrease on right-side rows; purl all WS rows. Easier to track, less risk of mistakes, slightly more solid in appearance. Standard for beginners and for "lace panels" inserted into otherwise solid garments.
Knitted lace
YO and decrease on both right- and wrong-side rows. More complex (must track decreases on the wrong side too), more open and airy. Standard for traditional Shetland and Estonian shawls.
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Visual difference
Knitted lace appears more open, with eyelets visible from both sides. Lace knitting appears slightly denser, with eyelets visible mainly from the right side.
Difficulty
Lace knitting is significantly easier. Beginners should start with lace knitting (a simple feather-and-fan or old shale) before tackling true knitted lace.
Abbreviation reference
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| yo | yarn over |
| k2tog | knit two together |
| ssk | slip slip knit |
Tips
- Beginners should start with lace knitting (RS-only patterning).
- For maximum openness, choose knitted lace.
- Most modern shawl patterns are lace knitting; most traditional shawls are knitted lace.
In depth
The lace knitting vs knitted lace distinction is one of the foundational concepts in lace knitting terminology. Knowing which type a pattern is helps you anticipate the difficulty level and the resulting visual effect before casting on.