APPLIED LACE BORDERS

One of my favourite lace techniques is the applied border. Sometimes a decorative lace border make all the difference (like with my Ronaes shawl), but they are also terrifically fun to knit.

Because you only work a few stitches at a time, an applied lace border makes for a great on-to-go project. Best of all, an applied lace border is elastic which means you won't ever have to worry about a tight cast-off edge.  . 

1. Work to where your pattern tells you to start the applied edge. 

2. Join your lace border yarn (if you are working in a contrast colour — if not, just continue using your work yarn).

I like to secure the contrast yarn with a loose knot, which I will undo later. Some people shout at me for doing so, but I like the instant tension I get with a secured yarn. Your mileage may vary. 

3. Cast on the border stitches - the number of stitches will be specified in your pattern. I like using the cable cast-on which gives a firm, yet elastic edge. 

4. Work in pattern until you have 1 border stitch (the light one!) left.

Now this is where the magic happens. An applied lace border is essentially a fancy & elaborate way of casting off stitches — and that is what we are going to do next. 

5. Work a decrease (as specified by your pattern) using one border stitch and one shawl stitch — here the border stitch is light and the shawl stitch is dark, so you can clearly see what it is going on.

The decrease has different functions: a) it joins the applied edge to the body of your work, and b) it casts off one stitch from the body. 

Magic!

6. Now turn your work without working any additional stitches from the body. Slip your working yarn to the back and slip the first stitch purlwise. 

7. Continue to work back and forth across the border stitches, decreasing one stitch from the main body on every other row. 

8. And if you keep in pattern, it eventually comes out looking really neat.

I do love an applied edge. 

As always, please do get in touch.