Lace Wrap in Ella Rae Lace Merino DK - ER6-04 - Downloadable PDF

Lace Wrap in Ella Rae Lace Merino DK – Pattern ER6-04

This downloadable PDF knitting pattern from Ella Rae provides complete instructions for a beautifully delicate lace wrap, a versatile accessory that can be worn as a scarf or a full wrap. The finished piece is generously sized at approximately 35 cm (13¾ in) wide and 160 cm (59 in) long, making it an elegant and practical addition to any wardrobe. The design is worked in a classic lace stitch pattern throughout the body, then finished with a separately knitted decorative lace edging applied to all four sides, giving the wrap a refined, heirloom quality.

Yarn and Materials

The pattern is designed specifically for Ella Rae Lace Merino DK yarn, a DK weight yarn sold in 100g hanks. The recommended colourway listed in the pattern is colour number 204, and you will need 3 hanks to complete the project. The merino fibre content of this yarn gives the finished wrap a soft drape and a beautiful stitch definition that is particularly well suited to lace knitting. A single pair of 4.00mm (US size 6) straight needles is all that is required.

Tension and Gauge

Achieving the correct tension is important for this project to ensure the wrap reaches the intended dimensions. The pattern specifies a gauge of 22.5 stitches over 10 cm (approximately 4 inches) of the main lace pattern, worked on 4.00mm needles. Knitters are advised to work a tension swatch before beginning.

Main Body – Punchwork Lace Pattern

The body of the scarf or wrap is cast on with 57 stitches and worked in a four-row repeating Punchwork lace pattern. This is a classic lace construction that creates a light, airy fabric with a rhythmic, geometric appearance. The pattern uses yarn-over increases paired with corresponding decreases to maintain a consistent stitch count while forming the lace holes.

• Row 1 (RS): A right-slanting lace row using yf (yarn forward) and k2tog (knit two together) decreases.
• Row 2: A wrong-side row that incorporates the yarn-over from the previous row as a knit stitch, maintaining the stitch count.
• Row 3 (RS): A left-slanting lace row using k2tog and yf in reverse order, creating a mirrored lace effect.
• Row 4: A wrong-side row that again works the yarn-over from the previous row as a knit stitch.

The body is worked in this four-row repeat until the piece measures approximately 150 cm, then cast off. This alternating directional lace structure is characteristic of traditional Punchwork lace and gives the fabric a subtle chevron or diagonal quality depending on the viewing angle.

Lace Edging – A Separate Knitted Border

One of the most distinctive features of this pattern is its separately knitted lace edging, which is sewn onto all four sides of the completed wrap. This technique, common in heirloom and traditional lace knitting, allows the edging to be worked to the exact length needed and then carefully stitched into place, giving a neat and professional finish.

The edging is cast on with 11 stitches and worked in a six-row repeating lace pattern. It is more intricate than the main body pattern and incorporates several advanced lace techniques:

• Yfrn (yarn forward and around needle): A special increase used to create a yarn-over between a knit stitch and a purl stitch. The yarn is taken fully around the needle and brought back to the front, creating a decorative eyelet.
• KB1 (knit into the back of the next stitch): A twisted knit stitch used to add structure and definition at the edge of the border.
• Sl 1 (slip one stitch) at the beginning of right-side rows to create a neat selvedge edge for easier seaming.