Double-knitting Lace Homework

This is a homework page for Alasdair Post-Quinn’s workshop Double-knitting Lace. I hope to see you soon at this workshop!

Before starting this workshop, I’d like you to have a little foundational knowledge, as well as a little foundation of double-knitting so we can use our short time together as effectively as possible. If you are still struggling with the basic technique when you arrive in class, you will struggle even more with the further techniques I’ll be teaching.

First, you’ll need to select your colors. Choose two solid-colored plain yarns (one lighter, one darker), in the fingering to sport weight range. The lighter one will be your Color A and the darker will be your Color B. Also select a pair of needles two sizes larger than you'd normally use for your chosen yarn.

Next, I need you to learn my cast-on. A video for this can be found at https://double-knitting.com/caston-video. However, it is most important that you have a workable set of pairs, so if this cast-on is giving you trouble for any reason, you are welcome to use any double-knit cast-on you already know, or any single-layer cast-on with both yarns held together.

Finally, I need you to learn my selvedge. A video for this can be found at https://double-knitting.com/selvedge-video. Don’t worry if your edges aren’t linking perfectly; I’ll demo it in class and you can fine-tune it for the rest of the swatch.

Now, CO 19 pairs in BA color order (with Color B over your finger and Color A over your thumb), not counting the slip knot. Turn and follow the chart below, removing the slip knot after Row 1. Note that there are no linked pairs; this is because the color change in the second pair links the fabric together.

If you feel you need further practice with double-knitting, you may feel free to work some extra rows (repeating Rows 1 and 2). Make sure to end with an even-numbered row.

Leave the work on the needle and bring it to class!

LACE Homework Key
LACE Homework Chart