With hundreds of lace stitch patterns to try, the question is: where to start? While eyelets or mesh are great, easy lace stitch patterns to begin with, why not kick it up a notch and try fishtail lace? It’s an easy 6-row repeating pattern that can be added to just about any project. I love using this one on shawls and slouchy hats. Once you’ve worked a few repeats, you can have this one memorized, making it a great choice for an easy potato-chip-style scarf. You won’t want to put it down!
FISHTAIL LACE PATTERN
Cast on a multiple of 8 plus 5 stitches and work the pattern below. For my swatch, I cast on 21 stitches (8 x 2 = 16; 16 + 5 = 21 stitches). The chart includes two edge stitches, worked in garter stitch, so that the fabric won’t curl.
If you want to make this into a scarf, using worsted weight yarn and the appropriate needles, cast on 37 or 45 stitches. How many stitches you need to cast on will depend on your yarn and your gauge—any multiple of 8 plus 5 stitches will work! Knit a couple rows of garter stitch (knit on both RS and WS), then start the Fishtail Lace pattern, repeating Rows 1 through 6 until you are happy with the length of your scarf. Repeat the same amount of garter stitch rows at the end and bind off. An easy and fun scarf!
Row 1 (RS): K3, *yo, k2, sk2p, k2, yo, k1; rep from * to last 2 sts, k2.
Row 2 (WS): K2, purl to the last 2 sts, k2.
Row 3: K3, *k1, yo, k1, sk2p, k1, yo, k2; rep from * to last 2 sts, k2.
Row 4: K2, purl to the last 2 sts, k2.
Row 5: K3, *k2, yo, sk2p, yo, k3; rep from * to last 2 sts, k2.
Row 6: K2, purl to the last 2 sts, k2.
Rep Rows 1–6 for pattern.
ABBREVIATIONS
- k: knit
- p: purl
- rep: repeat
- RS: Right Side
- sk2p: slip one stitch purlwise, knit two stitches together, pass the slipped stitch over
- st(s): stitch(es)
- WS: Wrong Side
- yo: yarn over
Size needles and what kind of yarn…looks awesome!!
what size needle did you use for sample and what weight yarn thanks
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Thanks!
This is gorgeous and looks simple enough.,..will give it a try?
Love this patter !
love it would love to try new patterns.
I have a lacy shawl that’s been waiting for a decorative border to finish (bottom edge), so this just might work. It would be nice to finally get it completed, as I started it when Jen came out to New Mexico to teach our local Knit Guild some of her techniques. If required, I will work in the knitted edges to get the count right (I need to check, but I think it may already be an 8-count pattern). Thank you, Jen!
I need to have sk2p explained to me better. I’m just beginning to knit again after .any years.
Hello Sharon,
Thank you for contacting us.
To work the sk2p you will slip 1 stitch, knit two stitches together, then pass the slipped stitch over. It takes 3 stitches and decreases them to a single stitch. We have a video on how to work the sk2p here: https://www.theknittingcircle.com/video/working-double-decreases-with-knit-stitches-018298/
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Sincerely,
Sarah
The Knitting Circle Video Membership
Each time I work a,row (fish
Tail lace) I find I don’t have the same amount of stitches. What happens, how to I make up Dr or taking stitches away using sk2p! Also thanks for the help.
Hi Sharon. The sk2p takes 3 stitches and turns it into a single stitch – so it takes away 2 stitches. However, each sk2p has two yarn overs paired with it, so the stitch count should remain the same. If you need a refresher on the sk2p stitch, we have a video for that here: https://www.theknittingcircle.com/video/working-double-decreases-with-knit-stitches-018298/.
We also have a video about knitting fishtail lace here: https://www.theknittingcircle.com/video/fishtail-lace-pattern-018711/
Jen
The Knitting Circle
Do I knit the yo in the next row or let it open wide?? I can’t get the video but I’m left handed so it wouldn’t be helping.
Hello Sharon,
Thank you for contacting us.
You purl into the yo just like you would purl into any other stitch. This will keep the yarn over open to make a hole. We do have a couple of videos that might helpful:
https://www.theknittingcircle.com/video/how-to-work-yarn-over-yo-018312/
https://www.theknittingcircle.com/class/left-handed-knitting/
If you have any other questions, please chat, email, or call Customer Service.
Sincerely,
Sarah
The Knitting Circle Video Membership
Why are your printed instructions of the pattern different from the video pattern instructions?
Beautiful pattern. I am an experienced knitter & have knit a shawl in a pattern similar to this. once you get going the pattern is very easy.
Beautiful
Could these articles be made in a printable format and can they be saved. If so, how do I save it for future reference?
All you have to do is print the page if you’d like to view it offline.
I recently got fingering weight cashmere from mongolia and would love to use this pattern, but don’t know what size knitting needles to use. What would you suggest?
Hello Amanda,
It would really depend on how large you want the stitches. Bigger the needles the bigger the pattern and stitch and smaller the needle the smaller it will be.
Can this pattern be worked in a round?
Hello Cymantha,
Great question! The ‘Ask an Expert’ section is currently for members of our online community. By becoming a member, you will have access to our expert’s knowledge. With your membership you will also receive discounts on products and hours of Premium video content.
If you are interested in becoming a member, please click on the special offer below:
https://go.knittingcircle.com/a24582
Thanks!
Use the chart, within the red box, and see what happens.
love it
This sound like a great pattern once I get the hang of it.
Looking forward to learning more of these stitches
Beautiful! I can’t wait to try it!