Lace Crescent rib: a free lace knitting stitch pattern

Here’s a stitch pattern I’ve been thinking of posting for a while, so much so that I thought I’d already posted it or that it was already in someone else’s stitch dictionary. I spent some time searching my blog and Stitch Maps, and then I started flipping through my books. I finally found the pattern in question, and it wasn’t the same. It is a related stitch, so I can see why I had a strong case of déja vu: Openwork Hourglass, in Barbara Walker’s Treasury of Knitting Patterns. (I had in fact posted about it about a year ago.)

Openwork Hourglass and Lace Crescent Rib both have the same yarnover motif, which is one that turns up in a lot of my stitch patterns. This might make them good choices for coordinating stitches for my work. I have two more posts on the Lace Crescent theme coming up in the next couple of weeks. Enjoy!

This week I’ve included two variations, one working (k1, p1) in the double YOs and one using the pyop/bunny ears method. The right-hand column of the swatch shows version 1; the other two columns are version 2. I like them both in different ways – the curve of the decrease lines is subtly different between the two methods.

Notes:

• These are stitch patterns such as might be found in a stitch dictionary. They are not patterns for finished objects. You will need to add selvedges or some other form of knitted stitches to either side.
• Lace crescent rib is a multiple of 8 stitches and 4 rows. The number of stitches varies by the row in version 2. Adjust the repeat if you like by adding or deleting purl columns.
• I’ve made stitch maps for version 1 and version 2.
• Designers, please feel free to use these stitches in your patterns. I’d like credit but won’t be offended if people don’t give it.
• If you like my posts like this, please consider supporting me on Patreon or donating with my Paypal tip jar in the sidebar. Thanks!

Version 1:

Abbreviations:

• k: knit.
• k2tog: knit 2 stitches together as if they were 1. (Right-leaning decrease)
• p: purl.
• ssk: slip each of the next 2 stitches as if to knit, then knit them together through the back loop. (Left-leaning decrease)
• yo: yarnover.

Row 1 (RS): *p1, k1, k2tog, yo x 2, ssk, k1, p1; work from *.
Row 2 (WS): *k1, p2, k1, p3, k1; work from *.
Row 3: *p1, k2tog, yo, k2, yo, ssk, p1; work from *.
Row 4: *k1, p6, k1; work from *.

Version 2:

Abbreviations:

• bunny ears back: slip 1 stitch as if to knit. Knit the next stitch without removing it from the left needle. Pass the slipped stitch over the new stitch on the right needle. K2tog. (Turns 3 stitches into 2.)
• k: knit.
• k2tog: knit 2 stitches together as if they were 1. (Right-leaning decrease)
• p: purl.
• ssk: slip each of the next 2 stitches as if to knit, then knit them together through the back loop. (Left-leaning decrease)
• yo: yarnover.

Row 1 (RS): *p1, k1, k2tog, yo x 2, ssk, k1, p1; work from *.
Row 2 (WS): *k1, p2, (p1, yo, p1) in double yo, p2, k1; work from *. [multiple of 9 sts]
Row 3: *p1, k2tog, yo, bunny ears back, yo, ssk, p1; work from *. [multiple of 8 sts]
Row 4: *k1, p6, k1; work from *.