The feather and fan is a classic lace stitch pattern used in many knitted creations and especially popular in baby garments and layettes. But don’t let that keep you from using it to knit something for yourself! Plenty of adult sweater and scarf patterns utilize this basic lace motif.
Like all lace knitting, the pattern and texture are created with a series of increases and decreases. In this case, yarn overs and k2tog, perhaps the two most basic and most common ways to increase and decrease your stitches. Newbies to lace knitting will be thrilled by the undulating pattern created with just four stitches.
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Watch the feather and fan lace knitting stitch tutorial:
The feather and fan lace stitch pattern is an 18 stitch repeat knit over 4 rows. The actual lace knitting is completed in just one row, so this makes for a nice, easy-to-knit and easy-to-memorize pattern.
Abbreviations
CO - Cast on
k - Knit
p - Purl
K2tog - Knit two stitches together
yo - yarn over
CO - Cast on
k - Knit
p - Purl
K2tog - Knit two stitches together
yo - yarn over
Feather and fan lace written pattern
CO 36 stitches (or any multiple of 18)
Row 1: Knit
Row 2: Purl
Row 3: * (K2tog) 3 times, (yo, k1) 6 times, (K2tog) 3 times; repeat from * to end.
Row 4: Purl
CO 36 stitches (or any multiple of 18)
Row 1: Knit
Row 2: Purl
Row 3: * (K2tog) 3 times, (yo, k1) 6 times, (K2tog) 3 times; repeat from * to end.
Row 4: Purl
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And remember, if you are knitting it for a baby, do yourself (or the receiving parent) a favor and make your project out of an easy-care yarn that can be tossed in the washing machine and maybe even the dryer. The last thing any new parent needs is extra laundry!