Botanical Lace Wrap
Now seems like a pretty good time to focus on a little challenge whose reward is pure beauty.
Like an heirloom piece of lace that you might discover in an old chest in the attic, our Botanical Lace Wrap is mind-bogglingly gorgeous… And it’s even more mind-boggling to think you can actually make it with your own two hands!
We know about this stitch pattern through Barbara Walker and her classic Treasury Of Knitting Patterns. She calls this historic stitch Frost Flowers. She also points out that it’s a lot easier than it looks, just requiring you to keep track of some basic decreases and yarn overs. Testimony to the miracle of knitting!
You’ll need a yarn with enough integrity to honor this extraordinary pattern. We recommend our brand new Sweetgrass Fine. The same organic cotton and superfine alpaca blend as our Sweetgrass but in an exquisite laceweight, the Fine version comes in the same six undyed shades, just how nature grew them.
We love using such an unadulterated fiber with such a complex pattern. The combination feels timeless and place-less, like the Botanical Lace Wrap could have as easily been made on the western frontier as on the shores of the Baltic Sea.
You’ll just need two skeins of Sweetgrass Fine to cast on for your own Botanical Lace Wrap. We’re not saying you’ll whip this one up, but we are guessing that its beauty will bring you joy well worth the effort!
Designed for Purl Soho by Jake Canton.
Materials
- 2 skeins of Purl Soho’s Sweetgrass Fine, 65% organic cotton and 35% superfine alpaca. Each skein is 930 yards; approximately 1,463 yards required. We used the color Pale Sesame.
- US 2 circular or straight needles
Gauge
31 stitches and 42½ rows = 4 inches in stitch pattern
Size
Finished Dimensions: 18 inches wide x 72 inches long
Notes
Stitch Multiple
This stitch pattern works over a multiple of 34 + 2 stitches.
Pattern
Using a basic Long Tail Cast On, cast on 138 stitches.
Set-Up Row (wrong side): K1, purl to last stitch, k1.
Now follow either the Pattern Chart or Written Instructions below…
Pattern Chart
NOTE Begin this chart in the bottom right corner. Right-side rows are odd numbered and read right to left. Wrong-side rows are even numbered and read left to right. Work your way up the chart to the top line.
Want to see it bigger? Click here and view the chart as a PDF!
Written Instructions
Row 1 (right side): K1, *k3, knit 2 together (k2tog), k4, yarn over (yo), p2, [k2, yo, slip slip knit (ssk)] 3 times, p2, yo, k4, ssk, k3, repeat from * to last stitch, k1.
Row 2 (wrong side): K1, *p2, purl 2 together through back loop (p2tog tbl), p4, yo, p1, k2, [p2, yo, purl 2 together (p2tog)] 3 times, k2, p1, yo, p4, p2tog, p2, repeat from * to last stitch, k1.
Row 3: K1, *k1, k2tog, k4, yo, k2, p2, [k2, yo, ssk] 3 times, p2, k2, yo, k4, ssk, k1, repeat from * to last stitch, k1.
Row 4: K1, *p2tog tbl, p4, yo, p3, k2, [p2, yo, p2tog] 3 times, k2, p3, yo, p4, p2tog, repeat from * to last stitch, k1.
Rows 5-12: Repeat Rows 1-4 two more times.
Row 13: K1, *yo, ssk, k2, yo, ssk, p2, yo, k4, ssk, k6, k2tog, k4, yo, p2, k2, yo, ssk, k2, repeat from * to last stitch, k1.
Row 14: K1, *yo, p2tog, p2, yo, p2tog, k2, p1, yo, p4, p2tog, p4, p2tog tbl, p4, yo, p1, k2, p2, yo, p2tog, p2, repeat from * to last stitch, k1.
Row 15: K1, *yo, ssk, k2, yo, ssk, p2, k2, yo, k4, ssk, k2, k2tog, k4, yo, k2, p2, k2, yo, ssk, k2, repeat from * to last stitch, k1.
Row 16: K1, *yo, p2tog, p2, yo, p2tog, k2, p3, yo, p4, p2tog, p2tog tbl, p4, yo, p3, k2, p2, yo, p2tog, p2, repeat from * to last stitch k1.
Rows 17-24: Repeat Rows 13-16 two more times.
Repeat Rows 1-24 until piece measures approximately 72 inches long.
With right side facing you, loosely bind off knitwise.
Weave in the ends and gently wet block.
PRINT
Sweet Grass Fine.
I have (partially) swatched the chart 3 times. Stitch count = fine BUT the texture is so very fine, I wonder, did you really use the ‘fine’ version of the yarn?
I love the image not only for the design but also for the beautiful yarn and have decided to save my SGF for a more whisper light project. What yarn replacement do you recommend for the Botanical Lace Wrap?
Thank you for all of your trouble.
Barbara M. Toner
Hi Barbara,
Thanks for writing in! Yes, we did knit our sample in Sweetgrass Fine! Have you tried blocking your swatch? The stitches should open up and relax after wet blocking to get the airy effect you see in our images. However, if you prefer, you could use just about any lace weight yarn for this wrap! Jade Sapphire 2-Ply Cashmere would be a stunning alternative to create an extra luxurious version.
I hope that helps!
Julianna
Thank you. Your reply helped. I will continue with the Sweet Grass Fine and will keep the 2-ply cashmere in mind – I may have enough of this stashed.
This is a magnificent design. I must knit it. It looks like it could be an heirloom!
Would knitting it in Burnish be suitable? If so, using which size needle? And how many skeins?
Hi Wendy
Thanks for writing in! The Burnish would be beautiful but a touch thicker than the original pattern. You would have to change the gauge of the pattern some, so I would recommend knitting and blocking a gauge swatch in the Frost Flowers pattern using Burnish on a US 4-5 needle. You can then measure your stitches per inch, multiply that number by 18 inches, and round to the nearest multiple of 34 plus 2 stitches to determine how many stitches to cast on. I estimate 3-4 skeins for the wrap. I hope this helps and happy knitting!
Jessica
Do you think this scarf would look good in mineral silk, or is that yarn just too shiny, or not soft enough?
Thx, Thea
Hi Thea,
Great question! We haven’t tried it so I can’t say for sure, but I think Mineral Silk could be an amazing choice for this wrap! In general, lace patterns usually turn out gorgeous in silk, as it blocks out very well and the sheen tends to highlight and emphasize the texture. The extra sparkle in Mineral Silk might detract slightly from the pattern, especially in the darker colors where it contrasts more with the silk fibers, so I would recommend knitting a gauge swatch in pattern to make sure you will be happy with it, but I the pattern should still be quite apparent – and quite stunning!
I hope that helps, and please do let us know how it turns out!
Julianna
Hello! I just wanted to share that after close to 10 attempts at this scarf (trying for several rows and then taking them out), and even attempting a different pattern with the yarn, I was determined to understand the pattern and now I’m about less than 1/4 of the way in and loving it! There was a previous comment about using safety lines, and that has helped me a lot. It’s really a beautiful pattern, and I am so excited to be figuring it out!
Beautiful…..
Hi! I love the pattern in that original color, it is out of stock and will wait till is back in stock. I order the needle.
My question: is the written pattern in PDF so that I may save it in my Knit Companion. Thank you so much for your help. ??
Hi Maria,
I’m glad you are so excited to make the Botanical Lace Wrap! You can easily save the pattern as a pdf by clicking the print link on the pattern page. A window will pop up where you can find the option to save it as a pdf.
I also encourage you, if you haven’t already to sign up for a notification on the Sweet Grass Fine product page and we will send you an email as soon as the Pale Seasame is back online.
I hope this helps!
Happy crafting!
Oscar
This is such a beautiful pattern! Thanks for sharing. Could I use your Baby Yak yarn for this pattern?
Hi Vanessa,
Thank you so much for the kind words! Yes, mYak Baby Yak Lace would be a perfect fit for this wrap! You will need just a hair over four skeins, so you might want to make the wrap a single pattern repeat shorter, or purchase five skeins and leave the last one un-wound. If it turns out you don’t need it, any unused yarn that hasn’t been wound can be returned for store credit!
Happy knitting!
Julianna
Can you suggest another yarn that would work with this pattern? I love the heirloom white and pale sesame but they are both currently out of stock 🙁 I look forward to hearing back from you! Thanks for all you ALL do!!!
Hi Angela,
Thanks for writing in! I’m so glad you’re inspired by our Botanical Lace Wrap! I think it would work up beautifully with our Cattail Silk. It is a 100% silk yarn making it a great substitute for the Sweetgrass. I think you’ll find that the colors Moon White, Porcelain White, and Wood Mouse are similar to Heirloom White and Pale Seasame.
I hope this helps,
Oscar
Hi, Oscar
How many skeins of Cattail would you need for this? Cattail is less yards than Sweetgrass. Would it be fine to just get two skeins of Cattail and end up with a shorter wrap or would you even notice a big difference?
Hi Christina,
Thanks for reaching out! Cattail Silk would be a beautiful option for this warp and since it is a fingering weight compared to a lace weight like Sweetgrass Fine is you can adjust the gauge a little bit and use a slightly larger needle and wont need as much yarn since the gauge will be bigger! So 2 skeins of Cattail Silk should be good!
All the best,
Gianna
I can’t access the comments. Please help me. I like to read the comments because it gives me new ideas.
Hi Sharon,
Thank you so much for getting in touch, and I apologize that our comments aren’t available at the moment! We are experiencing a few technical difficulties with our site right now, but our web team is hard at work to get everything restored as quickly as possible. The comments should be back in the next day or two, but if you have any questions in the meantime, please let us know!
All the best,
Julianna
I am loving every minute I am knitting this beautiful pattern.I have finished about 24″ in teal colour silk. It is my Covid sanity activity because it requires concentration and produces beauty! Thank you for this lovely pattern.
Hello Purl Soho!
I have just finished my Botanical Lace scarf as a trial working on Field Linen, and I am satisfied and ready for the next scarf on Sweetgrass Fine color Walnut Shell. One question though: the start of the scarf shows a nice “wave” border, while the end does not finish with the same look, and appears “straight”. Any suggestion? Maybe I should knit in 2 parts and join in the middle?
Many thanks, you are my continuous source of inspiration.
Daniela from Italy
Hi Daniela,
Thanks for reaching out! I am so happy to hear that you are loving our yarn and patterns! The boarder forms due to the nature of the lace pattern, and when you block the wrap you can go in and form the boarder to be more wavy and consistent on both ends of the wrap!
I hope this helps, happy knitting!
All the best,
Gianna
Is the Sweetgrass Fine in Beech Bark EVER going to be back in stock???? I love it & am waiting patiently, well, not so patiently now,lol!!!
Thanks for any news!
Hi Deborah,
Thanks for writing in! We will certainly be getting more Sweetgrass Fine back in stock, unfortunately due to the current circumstances we are all experiencing, we are expecting delays in restocking some of our yarns. While we do not have a firm ETA I would expect it to be available towards the end of December. You can sign up to be notified when we get it back in stock and to do so, go to the product page, select the color that you are interested in and enter your email address. When that yarn and color arrives, we will email you right away!
All the best,
Gianna
Does anyone have any suggestions for placing beads? I suppose they could easily be added to every other row in those columns where the dots are shown on the repeats, but I wonder if someone sees a more interesting way to go. Thanks!
Hi Liz,
Thanks for reaching out! I haven’t heard of anyone placing beads on this wrap before, but I think placing them every other row in the columns would look very nice!
Please let us know how this turns out!
All the best,
Gianna
Just bought the bundle and printed pattern I notice in the Pattern Chart notes it says “odd number rows read right to left ,even numbered rows read right to left. Should the even numbered rows be read left to right as this is how the numbers are on the chart?
Hi Margaret,
Thanks for reaching out! As we have written in the notes under the PATTERN CHART section, for this chart the right-side rows are odd numbered and read right to left and the wrong-side rows are even numbered and read left to right, and the chart is written to reflect that!
I hope. this clarifies things, happy knitting!
Gianna
I may be seeing things but the written pattern does not seem to match the chart. Look at line 2, for example. This is wrong side. Chart reads k1, p2, p2tog. Written instructions read k1, p2, p2tog back loop. Which is correct? These discrepancies are making it difficult for me to start this project. I am practicing the pattern but I get a different look from the chart and from the written. Do these stitches lean in the same direction or opposite? Should the chart legend be changed to read:
/= k2 tog (RS), p2tog thru back loop (WS)
\= ssk, p2tog
Please advise. I may just be confused.
Hi Samantha,
Thanks for reaching out! Even though the pattern has different written instructions than what appears in the chart they will result in the same finished pattern! And the key is correct as is, it should be /= Knit 2 together on the right side, purl 2 together on the wrong side and \= slip slip knit on the right side purl 2 together through the back loop on the wrong side. Keep in mind that right-side rows are odd numbered and read right to left. Wrong-side rows are even numbered and read left to right.
I hope this clears things up!
Warmly,
Gianna
I plan to make this wrap for my daughter for her wedding. I’m looking for the lightest ivory, but not white. My two options now are Cattail silk Moonwhite and Sweetgrass Heirloom White. My preference is fingering weight. Are these two colors a very light ivory? Always hard to tell online. And can’t wait to visit NYC again and your store!
Hi Marie,
Thanks for reaching out! What a lovely gift for your daughter’s wedding!
Both the Cattail Silk and the Sweetgrass would work wonderfully for the Botanical Lace Wrap, but if you prefer the fingering weight then I would go with the Cattail Silk. Of the two white colors in Cattail Silk, the Moon White is a brighter, slightly warmer tone and the Porcelain White is more muted and make me think of antique lace. I wouldn’t describe either as being a stark white, they both edge towards a cream or ivory, but the Moon White is definitely the brighter shade of the two.
I hope this helps you with your decision, and please let me know if I can help you with anything else!
Take care and Happy Knitting!
Kelsey
I am so frustrated with this kit. I have the Sweetgrass and I frankly hate it because it continues to split as I work with it. I do not like the way the pattern is developing as I knit it either: it just looks messy and thin. I have knit lace before and have never encountered problems like these. I suspect a more robust yarn (that doesn’t unravel and split) would be a big improvement. And frankly this pattern needs a nicer border. Blocking may help eventually but I just think it will add to the generally messy and unattractive look of the knitted scarf.
Hi Catherine,
Thanks for reaching out! I am sorry to hear that you are disappointed with how your wrap is turning out! I haven’t heard of others having problems with the yarn or pattern so please feel free to send us a photo to our email customerservice@purlsoho.com
Sweetgrass blocks beautifully so I would definitely suggest blocking the finished wrap to get the best look!
Warmly,
Gianna