Knit Hilton Lace Edging for Pillowcases
by Nancie M. Wiseman
Here is a simple pattern from Lace from the Attic: A Victorian Notebook of Knitted Lace Patterns (Loveland, Colorado: Interweave Press, 1998) for an edging to attach to pillowcases. These are knit with size 2 (2.75 mm) needles instead of the size 00000 needles knitters probably would have used on edgings in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. I sewed this edging to the pillowcases’ hemline because I thought the green looked so pretty showing through the lace, but it may also be attached to the edges.
Materials
• Coats Opera, 100% cotton crochet thread, size 10, 251 yards (230 meters)/50 gram ball, 1 ball of #502 Cream
• Needles, set of size 2 (2.75 mm) double-pointed or size need to obtain gauge
• Sewing thread, to match crochet thread
• Needle, sewing
•Pillowcases, 1 pair
Materials are available at yarn and needlework stores or from mail-order or online resources.
Finished Size: (blocked): One pattern rep (16 rows) measures about 2 3/4 inches (7 cm) across at widest point and 1 1/3 inches (3 cm) high
Gauge (blocked): 14 1/2 sts and 24 rows = 2 inches (5.1 cm) in lace pattern; exact gauge is not critical for this project
Abbreviations
BO—bind off
CO—cast on
k—knit
k2tog—knit 2 stitches together
k3tog—knit 3 stitches together
rep—repeat
st(s)—stitch(es)
yo—yarn over
Instructions
CO 17 sts.
Set-up Row: K.
Row 1: K2, yo, k2tog, k4, yo, k3tog, (k1, yo) 2 times, k2tog, yo, k2—18 sts.
Row 2 and all even numbered rows: YO, k2tog, k to end.
Row 3: K7, yo, k3tog, k1, yo, k3, yo, k2tog, yo, k2—19 sts.
Row 5: K2, yo, k2tog, k2, yo, k3tog, k1, yo, k5, yo, k2tog, yo, k2—20 sts.
Row 7: K5, yo, k3tog, k1, yo, k7, yo, k2tog, yo, k2—21 sts.
Row 9: K2, yo, k2tog, k8, yo, k3tog, k1, (yo, k2tog) 2 times, k1—20 sts.
Row 11: K11, yo, k3tog, k1, (yo, k2tog) 2 times, k1—19 sts.
Row 13: K2, yo, k2tog, k6, yo, k3tog, k1, (yo, k2tog) 2 times, k1—18 sts.
Row 15: K9, yo, k3tog, k1, (yo, k2tog) 2 times, k1—17 sts.
Rep Rows 1–16 until the edging, slightly stretched, fits pillowcase edge. BO in k after Row 16.
Block gently by spray starching and lightly pressing with a steam iron making sure all of the points are sharp. Seam the two ends of the edging together on the wrong side. Pin the border to the edge or the hemline of the pillowcase stretching slightly; whipstitch the border to the edge or the hemline with the sewing thread.
Repeat for the other pillowcase.
About the Author and Designer
Nancie M. Wiseman teaches, designs, and writes about knitting and crochet. Her latest book is Crochet with Wire (Loveland, Colorado: Interweave Press, 2005), and her Wisewater Productions has produced seven best-selling videos on knitting. She lives in Coupeville, Washington. Visit her website www.nancieknits.com.