How to Knit Lace with Twisted Stitches

Knitting lace is an intricate art that fascinates many knitters. The beauty and elegance of lace knit stitches shine even in the smallest and simplest of projects. Many knitters, especially those new to knitting, get overwhelmed at the thought of knitting lace projects. But we’re here to tell you that it doesn’t have to be so. In this blog, we’ll discuss the basics of knit lace with twisted stitches. We’ll also cover lace knitting supplies, common mistakes, and how to avoid them.

We also dive into the Mistletoe lace stitch pattern that uses twisted stitches. It really highlights the stitch movement created by the decreased shaping in the lace. This is a free knit lace stitch pattern with a chart!

The Beauty and Complexity of Knitted Lace

Get ready to be captivated by the mesmerizing allure of knitted lace patterns! These delicate designs with intricate details effortlessly blend age-old traditions with modern creativity. But here’s the best part: we’re adding our own unique twist by incorporating twisted stitches. Join us on this fascinating journey as we dive deeper into this knitting marvel, accompanied by an enriching YouTube tutorial. Prepare to be amazed!

The Evolution of Knitted Lace Patterns

From the Celtic coasts to Russian steppes, lace knitting has woven its intricate patterns across cultures and centuries. Twisted knit stitches, adding depth and dimension, are a testament to the ever-evolving creativity in this art. They not only add texture but also bring out a dynamic character in traditional lace motifs.

Over the years, Marly has designed several patterns using simple and more complex lace patterns. Here are just a few to check out! (click the image to go to the pattern)

Lace Knitting Basics – what you need to know

Just grab your needles and yarn because lace knitting is all about technique! We create these intricate patterns using a magical combination of increased and decreased stitches. This results in gorgeous, lacy designs. Don’t worry, you only need to master four basic knitting techniques to knit basic lace successfully.

Let’s start with the essential lace knitting stitches

The knit and purl stitches. These two simple patterns are the foundation of all knitting projects. But when it comes to lace, we introduce the ⭐️ stars of the show ⭐️! Yarn over (yo) and knit two together (k2tog). These techniques are the secret to creating the delicate and airy lace fabric. 🤞🏻Remember, for every decrease stitch, you’ll need to increase to maintain the stitch count.

Yarn Over (yo) is your gateway to new stitches. Just loop the yarn under and over the needle, forming a fabulous new stitch. Keep on going to the next stitch, and let the magic unfold. This looks like a mistake to most beginner knitters. Sometimes, they accidentally create a yo by working a purl stitch with the yarn behind the needles. However, with lace, we purposefully create this extra yarn lying over the top of the needle.

Knit Two Together (k2tog) is a nifty decrease stitch that works like a charm. Insert your needle into the next two stitches and knit them as one. This instantly reduces your stitch count and works harmoniously with the yarn over. This decrease leans to the right, and that is important to remember.

Extra Knitting Stitch Lingo

Oh, and let’s not forget about the extra stitches. Get ready for some knitting lingo like knit three together (k3tog) or purl two together (p2tog). It all depends on the pattern. There are more variations, like ssk or skp. They lean to the left and help you acquire fashion-forward shaping in the stitches.

And here’s a bonus: in our featured lace stitch pattern, prepare for a twist – literally! You’ll find Knit Through the Back Leg or Loop (ktbl) and Purl Through the Back Leg or Loop (ptbl). These both result in knit lace with twisted stitches. We use these to maintain the knit twisted stitch row of stitches on the right side of the fabric. There are also decrease stitches, such as the Twisted Knit Two Together (Tk2tog) and the Twisted Knit-Slip-Pass (Tskp). Having these in the mistletoe lace stitch pattern adds an extra touch of elegance.

✨ To find definitions of abbreviations, how to complete a stitch, or stitch symbols, check out our Knitting Definitions section. It’s a valuable tool.

Essential Supplies for Knitted Lace with a Twist

When knitting lace, you’ll need top-notch tools to make the experience enjoyable.

• Smooth knitting needles with a pointy tip
• Stitch markers
• Yarn
• And a delightful yet straightforward pattern

Armed with the right tools and some dedicated practice, you’ll soon find yourself reveling in the joy of knit lace.

Suggestions for Lace Knitting Supplies

Lace Knitting Essentials

• Yarn: Lace stitches can be made in any weight yarn. Your choice depends on the look and drape of the fabric you desire. Mose delicate lace is made with a lightweight yarn, preferably fingering or lace weight, which will highlight intricate patterns. However, Marly uses a Bulky weight yarn in her video of knit lace with twisted stitches for the Mistletoe Blanket.

✨ Pro tip: When knitting lace, choose solid or tonal color yarns instead of variegated. This ensures that your hard work and the detailed pattern stand out.

• Needles: Lace patterns often require many stitches, which can be quite a challenge. Don’t fret! Embrace the craftiness and switch to circular needles with a smooth join and pointy tip like Chiaogoo RED Lace. They easily accommodate those stitches without squishing. And here’s a little secret… Using circulars, you can effortlessly stretch out your fabric to marvel at the gorgeous masterpiece you’re knitting! How fun and rewarding is that?

Very Useful Extras for Knitting Lace

• Stitch Markers: You know I love a GOOD stitch marker. When knitting lace, use knit stitch markers between lace repeats to help you track where you are in the pattern. 🌟🌟 But, it’s important to choose the right stitch marker for your lace project so it won’t interfere with your stitches. If your yarn is light and delicate, use stitch markers that don’t dangle and are small rings on the needle. If your yarn is heavier and won’t tangle in stitch markers, go with any stitch marker that won’t distort your stitch size. Don’t use a really wide marker, but you can use one that is longer and dangles. Hey! Now’s a great time to make your own knit lace stitch markers. These are invaluable in keeping track of repeats.
• Row Counter: These are VERY helpful and something not many people think of using. A row counter will help keep track as you progress. But you don’t have to use a manual row counter like this one. You could always use a DIY knit row counter stitch marker at the start of your row like this one! These are very helpful for MOST knitting projects and are easy to make.

Blocking Knits

• Blocking Supplies: Remember, blocking is a vital step in lace knitting. It helps open up and define those beautiful patterns. It turns your hard work into a piece of art, and provides a surface to lay out your project.
  • Blocking Mats: These provide a surface to lay out your project.
  • Blocking Combs or Rustproof T-pins: For pinning your lace project in place during blocking.
  • Blocking Wires: These are especially helpful for straight edges or gentle curves.
• Spray Bottle with Water: To wet and set the yarn into the desired shape.
  • NOTE: I prefer to wash my project in a basin with some wool wash, then pin it out.

Common Challenges in Knitted Lace (and How to Overcome Them)

Knitting lace is a delightful adventure, but it’s common for new knitters to make a few stitchy blunders. One of the most frequent mishaps is accidentally adding extra stitches. That sneaky k2tog or k3tog stitch can be a tricky one to skip! On the flip side, missing a YO can leave you with too few stitches.

But fear not! I have a brilliant fix for you: make it a habit to count your stitches at the end of every row!!! Trust me, it’ll save the day! And if you do stumble upon a mistake, just take it easy and tink back one stitch at a time.

Oh, and here’s an amazing tip to keep your lace game strong:

Pop a stitch marker between stitch repeats, and you’ll breeze through the pattern like a pro detective finding clues. Embrace the joy of lace knitting with confidence and excitement!

Mistakes in lace knitting can be a tad bit more noticeable. A missed yarn over or a misinterpreted part of the chart can throw off the entire pattern. But, counting your stitches and using stitch markers will help you identify mistakes quickly.

Lastly, I HIGHLY RECOMMENDED you use lifelines regularly, especially before a complicated row. It’s easy, and it’ll give you peace of mind as you knit long into the night. The video below shows you a little about adding a lifeline to your knit lace project.

Free Knit Lace with Twisted Stitches Stitch Pattern

We’ve delved into the fascinating world of lace knitting. We explored the top-notch tools and learned how to tackle common mistakes like a pro. Now let’s unravel the magic behind the enchanting lace stitch pattern with those delightful twisted decreases. Marly shows us how in the video!

This fantastic knit lace stitch may not be revolutionary. But with a few clever tweaks, it adds wonderful texture to a playful knit chevron/zig-zag pattern.

Below are the simple written instructions for creating a charming swatch that perfectly aligns with the chart. However, if you’re looking to incorporate this stitch pattern into your own project, here’s what you need to know:

• Stitch multiple of 28 sts plus 3,
• Row multiple of 24 + 1 (excluding any rows before or after the lace section). You can easily spot this in the chart marked by the vibrant red square.

What You Need to Work Along with the Video

To create the stunning Mistletoe knit lace swatch, grab some worsted weight yarn, size 9 (5.5mm) needles, and a few stitch markers. That’s all you need to dive into the joy of working with these delightful stitches.

In the video, Marly used the Bernat Fabwoolous yarn. Available at Yarnspirations.

Now, let’s delve into the written instructions and join Marly in the video to craft your very own fabulous swatch.

Written Instructions for the Mistletoe Swatch: Knit Lace with Twisted Stitches

Mistletoe Knit Lace and Twisted Stitches – Swatch

Cast On 41 stitches. Recommend the Long-Tail Cast on.
← Row 1 [RS]: K41
→ Row 2 [WS]: K41
← Row 3 [RS]: K41
→ Row 4 [WS]: K41
← Row 5 [RS]: K41
→ Row 6 [WS]: K41
← Row 7 [RS]: K41
→ Row 8 [WS]: K5, P9, (P tbl), P, K, P, (P tbl), P3, (P tbl), P, K, P, (P tbl), P9, K5
← Row 9 [RS]: K8, P5, (Tk2tog), K, P, K, (K tbl), Yo, K3, Yo, (K tbl), K, P, K, Tskp, P5, K8
→ Row 10 [WS]: K5, P3, K5, (P tbl), P, K, P, (P tbl), P5, (P tbl), P, K, P, (P tbl), K5, P3, K5
← Row 11 [RS]: K8, P4, (Tk2tog), K, P, K, (K tbl), Yo, K5, Yo, (K tbl), K, P, K, Tskp, P4, K8
→ Row 12 [WS]: K5, P3, K4, (P tbl), P, K, P, (P tbl), P7, (P tbl), P, K, P, (P tbl), K4, P3, K5
← Row 13 [RS]: K8, P3, (Tk2tog), K, P, K, (K tbl), Yo, K7, Yo, (K tbl), K, P, K, Tskp, P3, K8
→ Row 14 [WS]: K5, P3, K3, (P tbl), P, K, P, (P tbl), P9, (P tbl), P, K, P, (P tbl), K3, P3, K5
← Row 15 [RS]: K8, P2, (Tk2tog), K, P, K, (K tbl), Yo, K9, Yo, (K tbl), K, P, K, Tskp, P2, K8
→ Row 16 [WS]: K5, P3, K2, (P tbl), P, K, P, (P tbl), P11, (P tbl), P, K, P, (P tbl), K2, P3, K5
← Row 17 [RS]: K8, P, (Tk2tog), K, P, K, (K tbl), Yo, K11, Yo, (K tbl), K, P, K, Tskp, P, K8
→ Row 18 [WS]: K5, P3, K, (P tbl), P, K, P, (P tbl), P13, (P tbl), P, K, P, (P tbl), K, P3, K5
← Row 19 [RS]: K8, (Tk2tog), K, P, K, (K tbl), Yo, K13, Yo, (K tbl), K, P, K, Tskp, K8
→ Row 20 [WS]: K5, P3, (P tbl), P, K, P, (P tbl), P15, (P tbl), P, K, P, (P tbl), P3, K5
← Row 21 [RS]: K8, Yo, (K tbl), K, P, K, Tskp, P5, K3, P5, (Tk2tog), K, P, K, (K tbl), Yo, K8
→ Row 22 [WS]: K5, P4, (P tbl), P, K, P, (P tbl), K5, P3, K5, (P tbl), P, K, P, (P tbl), P4, K5
← Row 23 [RS]: K9, Yo, (K tbl), K, P, K, Tskp, P4, K3, P4, (Tk2tog), K, P, K, (K tbl), Yo, K9
→ Row 24 [WS]: K5, P5, (P tbl), P, K, P, (P tbl), K4, P3, K4, (P tbl), P, K, P, (P tbl), P5, K5
← Row 25 [RS]: K10, Yo, (K tbl), K, P, K, Tskp, P3, K3, P3, (Tk2tog), K, P, K, (K tbl), Yo, K10
→ Row 26 [WS]: K5, P6, (P tbl), P, K, P, (P tbl), K3, P3, K3, (P tbl), P, K, P, (P tbl), P6, K5
← Row 27 [RS]: K11, Yo, (K tbl), K, P, K, Tskp, P2, K3, P2, (Tk2tog), K, P, K, (K tbl), Yo, K11
→ Row 28 [WS]: K5, P7, (P tbl), P, K, P, (P tbl), K2, P3, K2, (P tbl), P, K, P, (P tbl), P7, K5
← Row 29 [RS]: K12, Yo, (K tbl), K, P, K, Tskp, P, K3, P, (Tk2tog), K, P, K, (K tbl), Yo, K12
→ Row 30 [WS]: K5, P8, (P tbl), P, K, P, (P tbl), K, P3, K, (P tbl), P, K, P, (P tbl), P8, K5
← Row 31 [RS]: K13, Yo, (K tbl), K, P, K, Tskp, K3, (Tk2tog), K, P, K, (K tbl), Yo, K13
→ Row 32 [WS]: K5, P9, (P tbl), P, K, P, (P tbl), P3, (P tbl), P, K, P, (P tbl), P9, K5
✨This is where you would go back to row 9 if you wanted to repeat the row, otherwise continue as written. If you do continue to repeat the stitch pattern, do so until the piece is the length desired ending on a row 32, then continue with rows 33-39.

← Row 33 [RS]: K41
→ Row 34 [WS]: K41
← Row 35 [RS]: K41
→ Row 36 [WS]: K41
← Row 37 [RS]: K41
→ Row 38 [WS]: K41
← Row 39 [RS]: K41

Bind off.

Mistletoe Knit Lace with Twisted Stitches – Reading Knit Lace Charts

When it comes to lace knitting, unlocking the secrets of charts is just as important as the stitches themselves. These diagrams vividly showcase the path your work should take, guaranteeing success at every step. And for those who may need a little guidance, fear not! Our delightful accompanying video will teach you how to read the knit lace chart. Let’s make sure no stitch (or yarn over!) gets left behind.

For the Mistletoe knit lace stitch pattern Marly used in the video, these are the important takeaways:

• The chart represents the RIGHT SIDE (RS) view of the fabric
• Each square represents one stitch
• Each symbol has a right side (RS) instruction and a wrong side (WS) instruction, KNOW WHICH SIDE YOU’RE ON!
• Read the right side rows from RIGHT ⇦ LEFT
• Read the wrong side rows from LEFT ⇨ RIGHT
• The row numbers are a clue as to which side of the chart you read from for that row
• The first and last 5 stitches of this chart are kept in garter stitch throughout. Use a stitch marker to identify these stitches easily (as shown in the video)
• For every increase (yo) there will be a matching decrease (Tk2tog or Tskp) on the same row. For this pattern, increases and decreases are only on right side rows.
• Twisted stitches are worked through the back leg or loop
  • if on right side it is a twisted knit stitch
  • if on wrong side it is a twisted purl stitch
• The row repeat for this pattern is 9-32

Knit Lace with Twisted Stitches Video Tutorial

While written patterns and charts are insightful, there’s an unmatched clarity in visual learning. Our tutorial goes beyond the basics. See practical demonstrations and tips to ensure your lace project is nothing short of perfect. Catch the full tutorial [here] to witness the magic unfold.

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If you like this stitch pattern, you will enjoy this free knit blanket pattern in multiple sizes!

Immerse yourself in the enchanting allure of the Mistletoe Knit Lace Blanket, exclusively designed by Marly Bird. Crafted with a playful lace pattern, it boasts twisted stitches that pop against the backdrop of bulky weight yarn. This gives a distinct, bold texture. This isn’t just a blanket; it’s an invitation to snuggle!

Whether you’re draping it over a stroller or enhancing a king-sized bed, there’s a size to meet every need. Choose from Stroller/Baby, Crib/Toddler, Throw/Afghan, Twin, Full/Double, Queen, or King. Every dimension ensures that warmth and style are always within reach.

Perfect for a range of skill levels, this pattern strikes a balance. It’s straightforward enough to engage advanced beginners but offers a delightful challenge for the seasoned knitter. As the fabric seamlessly flows off your needles, you’ll find the rhythm of knitting both addictive and immensely rewarding.

The Mistletoe Knit Lace Blanket is generously available for free on the Marly Bird website. But if you prefer a clutter-free knitting experience, an ad-free PDF version is available for purchase. Dive into the luxurious blend of design and texture, and wrap yourself in the embrace of Marly Bird’s knitting magic.