Lace Stitch Cami & Skirt in Caron Simply Soft - Downloadable PDF

Lace Stitch Cami & Skirt in Caron Simply Soft – Knitting Pattern Summary

Designed by Kathy Perry, the Lace Stitch Cami & Skirt is a free, downloadable PDF knitting pattern that produces two coordinating wardrobe pieces: a fitted camisole top and a matching skirt. Both garments are worked in Caron Simply Soft yarn and feature a delicate eyelet lace stitch pattern that gives the set an elegant, lightweight appearance. The pattern is rated beginner difficulty, making it an accessible introduction to lace knitting for those who are comfortable with basic knit and purl stitches and ready to take their first steps into simple lace construction.

The Camisole (Cami)

The camisole is designed to fit bust sizes ranging from XS (32"/81 cm) through XL (48"/122 cm), with finished lengths spanning 19" (48 cm) at XS up to 22" (56 cm) at XL. It is a sleeveless, form-fitting top that showcases the Eyelet Pattern as its primary design feature, creating a graceful, lacy texture across the body of the garment.

Yarn requirements for the camisole in Caron Simply Soft (an aran-weight yarn) are as follows:

• XS and S: 2 skeins of Main Color (MC)
• M and L: 3 skeins of Main Color (MC)
• XL: 4 skeins of Main Color (MC)

The Skirt

The skirt is designed to coordinate seamlessly with the camisole, sharing the same yarn, stitch patterns, and overall aesthetic. It is worked across the same size range — XS through XL — and requires a consistent 3 skeins of Caron Simply Soft Main Color (MC) across all sizes, making yarn estimation straightforward regardless of the size being knitted.

Materials

Both pieces are knitted using Caron Simply Soft, an aran-weight yarn well known for its smooth, soft texture and excellent stitch definition — qualities that make it particularly well suited to lace and eyelet patterns where clarity of the stitch work is important. The pattern specifies needles appropriate to achieve the stated gauge, and a crochet hook is also referenced for finishing details, as the abbreviations include crochet terms such as chain (ch) and single crochet (sc) and slip stitch (sl st), suggesting crochet is used for edging or trim elements.

Gauge

Achieving accurate gauge is important for a well-fitting result. The pattern specifies two gauge measurements:

• Stockinette stitch (St st): 18 stitches and 24 rows = 4"/10 cm
• Eyelet Pattern: 16 stitches and 22 rows = 4"/10 cm

Note that the Eyelet Pattern produces a slightly more open, relaxed fabric than plain Stockinette, which is typical of lace knitting where yarn overs create decorative holes that naturally spread the stitches.

Knitting Stitches and Techniques Used

The pattern draws on a focused set of knitting stitches and techniques, making it manageable for beginners while still introducing the satisfying craft of lace construction:

• Garter Stitch: All stitches knitted on every row, producing a ridged, reversible fabric. Commonly used for borders and edgings.
• Stockinette Stitch (St st): Knit on right side (RS) rows, purl on wrong side (WS) rows. Forms the smooth, classic fabric used in many areas of both garments.
• Eyelet Pattern: A 14-row repeat worked over a multiple of 8 stitches plus 3. This is the signature lace pattern of both garments, creating an open, decorative mesh effect through a structured sequence of yarn overs and decreases. The pattern is also supported by a chart for visual reference.

Stitches and Abbreviations Explained

The pattern