Cat Eye Lace Wrap
Intricate lacework definitely engages your brain, but sometimes it’s a nice diversion to create lace without the mental gymnastics. Our Cat Eye Lace Wrap is just such an exercise!
Just four simple rows create this pattern, known as the cat’s eye stitch. It does evoke wide-eyed wonder and cat-like grace!
We knit up our wrap in beautiful Cattail Silk (more cats!), our lightweight silk with a raw, natural finish. And news flash… We just added 10 gorgeous new colors to our palette, including this rich and saturated Cerulean Velvet. What a blue!
You’ll just need two skeins of your favorite color… Plus a feline friend in your lap while you cast on for your Cat Eye Lace Wrap in Cattail Silk!
Yarn lovers, if you adore the yarn used in this project, you’ll love exploring all of our other yarn collections! Discover over 45 thoughtfully designed yarns in nearly every natural fiber and in every spectacular color you can imagine. Only available here at Purl Soho’s online yarn store, where every skein is created with care and your creativity in mind!
Designed by Purl Soho designer, Jake Canton. Click here to see even more of Jake’s designs!
Share your progress + connect with the community by tagging your pics with #PurlSoho, #PurlSohoBusyHands, #PurlSohoCatEyeLaceWrap, and #PurlSohoCattailSilk. We can’t wait to see what you make!
Materials
- 2 skeins of Purl Soho’s Cattail Silk, 100% silk yarn. Each skein of this fingering weight yarn is 618 yards; approximately 857 yards required. We used the color Cerulean Velvet.
- US 4 (3.5 mm) circular or straight needles
Gauge
18 stitches and 38 rows = 4 inches in stitch pattern
Size
Finished Dimensions: 17¾ inches wide x 68 inches long
Notes
Stitch Multiple
This pattern works over a multiple of 4 stitches.
Slip Stitches
Slip all slipped stitches purlwise with yarn in front.
Pattern
Cast on 80 stitches. We used a basic Long Tail Cast On.
Set-Up Row (wrong side): Slip 1 (see Notes), purl to last stitch, k1.
Row 1 (right side): Slip 1, k3, *yarn over (yo) twice, k4, repeat from * to end of row. [118 stitches]
Row 2 (wrong side): Slip 1, p1, *purl 2 together (p2tog), p1 into first yo, k1 into second yo, p2tog, repeat from * to last 2 stitches, p1, k1. [80 stitches]
Row 3: Slip 1, k1, yo, *k4, yo twice, repeat from * to last 6 stitches, k4, yo, k2. [118 stitches]
Row 4: Slip 1, p2, *p2tog twice, p1 into first yo, k1 into second yo, repeat from * to last 7 stitches, p2tog twice, p2, k1. [80 stitches]
Repeat Rows 1-4 until piece measures 70 inches from cast-on edge, ending with Row 2.
With right side facing you, bind off knitwise.
Weave in the ends and wet block.
LEARN ABOUT CATTAIL SILK + ALL OUR BEAUTIFUL YARNS
We used Cattail Silk for this pattern because its earthy, natural beauty brings a light drape and offhanded elegance to your knitting. A 100% mulberry silk yarn, Cattail Silk has a rustic spin with bitty nubs and very subtle variations in texture. Choose from a lovely bouquet of colors, and cast on with this fingering-weight yarn for a truly compelling knit!
More Free Knitting Patterns
- Be sure to explore our vast collection of (mostly free!) Cattail Silk knitting patterns and cast on!
More Fingering-Weight Yarns
- Shop our entire collection of fingering-weight yarn
- If you want to use a different yarn, be sure to take the time to get the correct gauge. Need help? Check our All About Gauge Tutorial!
More Yarns With Similar Fibers
- Shop silk yarn
Looking for more inspiration? Explore all of our free knitting patterns and knitting tutorials, buy one of our many knitting kits and yarn bundles, and shop for beautiful yarn. We have over 35 gorgeous natural fiber yarns in 100’s of magnificent colors, designed to bring integrity, beauty, and joy to your next knitting project and only available at Purl Soho!
How does one do two YO in a row?
Hi Pat,
Great question! To work two yarn overs in a row, you will simply bring your yarn forward between the needles as you normally would for the first yarn over, then wrap your yarn over the top of the right hand needle and bring it back forward between the needles again to form the second yarn over. In essence, you will be wrapping the yarn twice around the right hand needle.
I hope that clears things up!
Julianna
Could I use another one of your yarns? I don´t like the texture of the suggested yarn, but like the project.
Thank you
Hi Laura,
Great question! Yes, you could use any fingering weight yarn for this wrap! I think it would be just as beautiful in Burnish, Linen Quill, or Sweetgrass!
Best,
Julianna
Thank you!
Laura
Hi Julianna, I was wondering if there is a way you can knit this in the round
Hi Grace,
Thanks for reaching out! I believe there is a way to knit this in the round, but it will take some significant modification. I’m afraid that we don’t have the time and resources to rewrite the pattern, but if you try it out yourself, please let us know how it goes!
All the best,
Lili
This is gorgeous and lovely yarn too—I have been looking for an excuse to order Cattail Silk!
I wonder if the overall look is as much like rows of double crochet in person as it appears on the model?
Hi Jan,
Thanks so much for the kind words and for reaching out! I can certainly see the similarities to double crochets from certain angles! However, this stitch has a definite wrong and right side, unlike an open crocheted lace. If you scroll through our pictures, there are several close-ups of the wrap that should give you a better idea of the stitch texture!
Happy knitting!
Julianna
Thanks!
I am knitting this woth worsted weight yarn, and it’s amazing! Loving the pattern so far. It can get very confusing and infuriating if you mess up even one stitch though. On row 3 in the last repeat I forgot to yarn over twice and after an hour figured out I needed to back it up and start from that last repeat into the last 6 stitches. As long as you pay attention and don’t pull that YO off your needle before you can knit into it, you’ll be golden!
Im very happy
With publications
would it be possible to create this pattern (Cat Eye Lace Wrap) in Burnish ? Would I need to adjust the pattern at all to create the same length and look of your photos? Would I still only need two skeins? Thank you.
lisa
Hi Lisa,
Thank you for reaching out! Burnish would make a lovely substitution for this pattern. You’ll need three skeins of Burnish to make this wrap. Because Burnish is a slightly heavier yarn, we recommend working a gauge swatch first to make sure you’re able to get 18 stitches and 38 rows per 4 inches in the stitch pattern or modify your needle size as needed.
I hope this was helpful!
Gaby
I am a relatively new knitter and want to try this. What length of US 4 circular needles do I need? I am going to use the Linen Quill yarn as suggested above. Is this the best yarn for a beginner?
Hi Ruth,
Thanks for writing in! You could use either a 24″ or 32″ circular needle, whichever you prefer or have on hand! Linen Quill does have a pleasing texture and grip, so I think you will really enjoy it!
Happy knitting!
Julianna
Can you recommend a similar crochet pattern? I love this yarn!
Hi Susan,
Thanks for writing in! Unfortunately we don’t have a similar crochet pattern, but I will certainly pass your request along to the design team!
Best,
Julianna
yes I would like to know crochet too
bonjour. La traduction française à propos de 2fils(yo) est incompréhensible. Quelqu’un pourrait-il m’indiquer un autre nom de ce point (pour avoir une chance de trouver une demo en video sur le Net…) yo, c’est bien yarn over?
Hi Auxine,
Thanks for reaching out! I think our Yarn Over (YO) video might be helpful!
Best,
Julianna
Pour repondre a votre question:
YO twice = Jeté double
Bon tricot!
I love the look of this pattern, but am a little frightened of it!
If I happen to drop a stitch, do you have any helpful hints as to how to rectify this? Many thanks for another beautiful free pattern.
Hi Ros,
Thanks for writing in! Unfortunately, we don’t have a tutorial for picking up stitches in lace, and it can indeed be difficult to do so. I would recommend placing a lifeline every few pattern repeats so you always have a safe place to go back to! To do so, you will simply thread a piece of thin yarn or heavy thread (unwaxed dental floss is a great option if you have it!) through all the stitches on the needle after either Row 2 or Row 4, when you are confident that everything you have knitted so far is correct. If you make a mistake after that, you can simply take out your needle and unravel your work back to the lifeline, which will hold that row of stitches in place so you can put them back on your needle.
I hope that helps, and happy knitting!
Julianna
When using a good circular needle, ie KnitPro, there’s an option to use a safety line
How do you think this would work in Cattail Silk color Flower Field Charcoal? Do you think the flecks of color would detract from the pattern?
Thank you.
Hi Debbie,
Great question! I think this wrap would look fabulous in Flower Field Charcoal! The colorful flecks are quite small and subtle, and this stitch is very open and well defined, so they won’t detract from it at all!
Best,
Julianna
I just made a sample scarf to practice the pattern while I wait for the cattail silk to arrive, using some old cashmere wool I had. It’s 20 stitches wide and 24″ long and a perfect fit for a childhood doll I have. But the sides have curled so it looks like a tube. I’d like it to be flat like your pictures. Will wet block accomplish that? How does one “wet block” the finished scarf? I’ve worked with silk before and when I washed it, it lost all shape. I’d like to avoid that happening again.
Hi Margaret,
I like to see how my finished yarn will behave by blocking my swatches whenever possible. There are different kinds of silk yarns, for sure, and Cattail Silk holds its shape very well in pattern, at least partly because it’s not a slippery silk. We have a tutorial for hand washing/wet blocking that you can find here: Hand Wash
I hope this helps – please let us know if you have any other questions!
Best,
Cassandra
I would like to decrease the width of the scarf. To do this do I decrease in multiples of 4? For example, if i cast on 68 stitches, will the patter still work?
Thanks
Hi Cheryl!
Thanks for writing – you are correct! Any number of stitches that’s a multiple of 4 will work for the Cat Eye Lace pattern!
Happy Knitting!
Cassandra
I always get confused when I’m knitting and purling into yarn overs. In row two of pattern repeat should I knit/Purl into the front/back of the yarn overs? Or does it matter as long as I’m consistent? Thanks!
Hi Anne,
Great question! You should be able to knit and purl normally into the double yarn over and not into the back of either loop. This will make sure that the opening created by the double yarn over stays nice and wide open! To do so, when you come to it, it should look like the top of the yarn over is wrapped twice around the left hand needle. You will knit normally into the first wrap and slide it off the needle, and then bring your yarn to the front and purl into the second loop of the yarn over.
I hope that clears things up!
Julianna
So that means that the double yarn over becomes 1 stitch?
I’m just having the hardest time with stitches per row. I’ve restarted from the beginning 3 times and by row 3 I have an extra stitch each time. Time to put this away for today!
Except the pattern reads to purl into the first yo then knit into the second yo. You explain to knit then purl. I don’t know if this makes a difference.
I’m just having the hardest time with stitches per row. I’ve restarted from the beginning 3 times and by row 3 I have an extra stitch each time. Time to put this away for toda!
Hi Anne,
The double yarn over should become two stitches, one stitch for each wrap of the yarn over. If you are counting your stitches to make sure everything is working out correctly, you should count each wrap of the double yarn over as an individual stitch.
Best,
Julianna
I am also struggling with row 2. The pattern says ‘p1 into 1st yo, and k1 into 2nd yo’. Is that correct? It seems that it should be ‘k1 into 1st yo and p1 into 2nd yo’. Please help!
Hi Stephanie,
Thank you for reaching out! The ‘p1 into 1st yo, k1 into 2nd yo’ is technically correct. You should be able to purl normally into the 1st yarn-over and knit into the 2nd yo. When you go to knit the 2nd yo you will essentially be inserting the needle into the lace “hole” you are creating in the fabric, if that makes sense!
If you find it easier to knit the 1st yo and purl the 2nd, feel free to do so – your eyelets might be a little less neat but it shouldn’t affect the fabric in a substantial way. I also recommend practicing these stitches on a gauge swatch – it might help to give yourself time to get accustomed to knitting the double yo’s before diving into the full project!
I hope this helps, and happy knitting!
Gaby
I too keep ending up with an extra stitch! There seems to be an issue with how to execute the pattern..I love the pattern and it would be great for someone at Purl soho to take a closer look at the instructions. Please
Hi Pam,
Thanks for writing in! I just knit up two repeats of the pattern to test it, and Row 2 should turn out correctly! It’s hard to say what might be going wrong without seeing your work, but since you are only off by one stitch, I suspect something is going wrong in Row 1, probably with the very first stitch. When you slip the first stitch purlwise with the yarn in front, you need to move the yarn to the back of the work by passing it between the needles, just as you would when switching from a purl to a knit, so that the yarn is in the back of the work to knit the next stitch. If you leave the yarn in front when knitting the second stitch, it will wrap over the top of the right-hand needle, creating an extra stitch. If you aren’t already, I would definitely recommend counting your stitches after Row 1 to make sure you are starting Row 2 with the correct number of stitches!
I hope that helps!
Julianna
I have started this scarf 10 times, and each time when I get to row 4, the pattern doesn’t work. I thought it was me and ripped out each time. Now I’m wondering if there isn’t a mistake in the pattern.
Hi Jo-Anne,
Thank you for reaching out! Can you describe the problem that you’re having when you get to Row 4?
Best,
Cassandra
I am having the same problem as Kay. At row 4 I slip one P2(but 2P of the P2 is aYO from previous row, then I P2tog and my next stitch on needle is a purled stitch not the YO I should purl. This is driving me crazy and I have started this pattern over 5 times!
Hi Jo-Anne,
After knitting up to the spot where you’re having trouble and looking over your comment, it sounds like you’re doing everything right up to your p2tog’s. You want to make sure you are p2tog two times; each p2tog will be decreasing 2 of the k4 from the previous row. I’ve written the instructions for this row out a little differently below so it may be easier to read.
Row 4 (ws): Slip 1, p2, *p2tog, p2tog, p1 into first yo, k1 into second yo, repeat from * to last 7 stitches, p2tog, p2tog, p2, k1.
I hope that helps!
Gaby
I don’t mean to be a pest, but it is still not working for me. I love Purl Soho and love the yarn and the pattern. But if I can’t make it work, I’d like to get another pattern that I could use the same yarn with.
Sorry this one didn’t work out.
Hi Jo-Anne,
Thanks for writing in, and I’m sorry to hear this pattern isn’t working out! Thank you for writing in! Luckily I have a few other project recommendations for your Cattail Silk! The Little Ladders Scarf and Terrace Wrap are wonderful patterns designed for this particular yarn. Also, our recent Ocean Currents Wrap would be lovely worked in just the Cattail Silk. I hope one of these catches your eye!
Best,
Gaby
Thanks so much. I will give one of these beautiful scarves a try.
I am having a same problem as Joann. At row 4 I skip one P2(but 2P of the P2 is aYO from previous row, then I P2tog and my next stitch on needle is a purled stitch not the YO I should purl. This is driving me crazy and I have started this pattern over 5 times!
Sorry I meant slip one not skip one
Hi Kay,
I’ve been swatching this pattern myself, trying to see where the problem might be. There is no mistake in the pattern, but … is it possible that on Row 3 you’re finished with a double yarnover instead of a single yarnover? I’ve been doing my swatch with just 20 stitches, to get a feel for the lace pattern without starting with a big cast-on. Let me know if this helps!
Best,
Cassandra
Hi,
I’m having the same problem! Trying to do a gauge swatch, started several times, casting on a multiple of 4 (first with 20 st then 24) but I still don’t get to the YOs in time to purl into the first and knit into the second! Getting so frustrated!
Love Purl Soho!
Please advise,
d
Hi D,
Thank you for reaching out! It’s hard to say exactly what is happening without seeing your knitting, but I’ll do my best to help! It is great that you are working on a gauge swatch first, as it will be the best way to figure out this stitch pattern! One thing to note is that at the end of Row 2 you should have the same amount of stitches as you cast on your swatch with, whether that is 20 stitches or 24- knowing this will help you narrow down the problem. If you find that you have less stitches, then the trouble may be working the double yo. If you have more, then you may be creating extra yo’s. One place this could happen is at the beginning of Row 1 after slipping your first stitch purlwise wyif- if the working yarn isn’t moved to the back before knitting the next stitch it can create a yo. I hope this makes sense and is helpful!
Best,
Gaby
Thank you, Gaby. I appreciate your help.
d
With so many comments regarding having to start over there must be something amiss. Frankly I’m over this pattern. Can you recommend another to use for this yarn?
Hi Mary Kay,
Thanks for reaching out, and I’m so sorry that you are struggling with this pattern! We have test knitted this wrap and I just double checked row 2 to make sure it is correct, but it is so hard to diagnose knitting problems without seeing your work, and I completely understand if you are ready to move on and try something else! We have several wraps that are written for two skeins of Cattail Silk, so you might want to try our Rose Stitch Wrap, Little Ladders Scarf, or Terrace Wrap. Depending on what size you would be knitting, you might even be able to make a top or sweater with just two skeins! Our Circular Yoke Summer Shirt, Lightweight Raglan Pullover, and Lovely Lightweight Tee all call for Cattail Silk, and some or many of the sizes only require two skeins.
I hope one of these alternatives appeals to you!
Best,
Julianna
Super frustrating!
I was looking forward to making this for my daughter-in-law but have found after multiple attempts and countless hours this pattern is far too frustrating . I’m uncertain as to exactly what the issue is and by no means am I a beginner but I’ve ended up with an extra stitch at times, apparently dropped a stitch and couldn’t thread it back. So disappointed. Moving on to another patten using the cattail silk.
Hi Eileen,
Thanks for writing in, and I’m so sorry that this pattern gave you so much trouble! You may want to consider either our Rose Stitch Wrap or Little Ladders Scarf. Both patterns are written for two skeins of Cattail Silk and should be much more relaxing to knit!
Best,
Julianna
Follow up ~ I was determined to complete this and after so many frustrating attempts I finally did. It was a matter of taking my time with the yarn overs! It is far more beautiful than I thought it would be and I’m certain my daughter in law will love it.
Hi Eileen,
We love that kind of follow up! Thank you so much for sharing your success with us. We’re sorry it wasn’t all smooth sailing, but we hope your daughter-in-law’s reaction to such a thoughtful gift will make it all worth while!
Best,
Whitney
Could I use a UK 4 mm needle instead? Thanks so much
Hi Louisa,
Thanks for writing in! I would recommend knitting a gauge swatch in pattern using your desired needle size to see if you will be happy with it! This is a larger needle size than we used, so you may find that your lace ends up a little too loose, but if you are a tight knitter or if your yarn is a little heavier than ours, it could also turn out just right. Knitting a swatch is the best way to find out!
I hope that helps, and happy knitting!
Julianna
Thanks Julianna!!! I should have thought of doing a swatch!!! Dow!
You can tell I’m a beginner, to nervous to start! Only joking I’ve watched all the tutorials and tomorrow is my knitting evening!!! Thanks so much find your website amazing and your tutorials just the best! Customer care fabulous!! Thaaaaanks
Louisa
09/19/2020 – Posted a comment earlier today and it was wrong. After FOUR trips to the frog pond, I think row 4 should be Slip 1, purl THREE (had earlier said P3), then the rest of the row line up and the beginning of the row matches the end of the row.
Hi Mary Ellen,
Thank you for reaching out! Row 4 should be Slip 1, purl 2, *purl 2 tog twice, purl 1 into first yarn over, k1 into second yarn over, repeat from * to last 7 stitches, purl 2 tog twice, p2, k1.
I hope this helps, happy knitting!
Gianna
I think know what is causing so many people to have a tough time with the beginning of row 4. It’s easy in row 3 to think that the repeat ends with the K4 and not the double YO. So if you are thinking in those terms, you would end up with 8 knit stitches before the last single YO anf K2.
I think that was leading to people having more knit stitches than they should at the beginning of row 4, because that’s what happened to me. 🙂
Hi Will,
Thanks for writing in and sharing your thoughts! I will certainly pass this along to the rest of the team and I am sure other knitters will find this informations useful!
Warmly,
Gianna
I want to make this in the Cerulean Velvet color shown, but when I select Cerulean Velvet to purchase it, it looks much more denim colored than cerulean – which is typically more aqua, as shown in the pattern. Is this because it’s a different dye lot, or is the Cattail Silk yarn image off?
Hi Carla,
Thanks for reaching out and for bringing this to our attention! Cerulean Velvet in person looks like it does in the pattern photos! The photos on the product page do not accurately represent the true color (it is a beautiful vibrant aqua, not dark denim!) I am so sorry for any confusion this has caused and we are working to edit the product photos to accurately represent the true colors of this beautiful yarn.
I hope this helps and please let me know if you have any more questions!
Gianna
Can you describe purling and knitting into the yo’s. Mine seems very loose and uneven. Any video on that available?
Hi Laura,
Thanks for reaching out. To knit or purl into a yarn over, you would just knit or purl it the same as any other stitch! We have a video in our Yarn Over tutorial that briefly shows how to do this (although it doesn’t really show the resulting fabric, so I don’t know how helpful it’ll actually be for you).
One thing you could do if your stitches feel too loose is knit or purl the yarn overs through the back loop. This will twist the stitches, but that automatically makes them tighter! Also, feel free to send us photos of your work at [email protected], so that we can give more detailed advice.
All the best,
Lili