Lace Stitch

Feather and Fan Stitch

Intermediate Lace
Feather and Fan Stitch finished swatch

Used For

  • Baby blankets
  • Shawls
  • Scarves
  • Wave-patterned edgings

A wave-like lace pattern of fanned increases and decreases, classic in shawls and baby blankets.

Instructions

  1. Cast on a multiple of 18 stitches.
  2. Row 1 (WS): Purl all stitches.
  3. Row 2: Knit all stitches.
  4. Row 3: *Knit 2 together 3 times, then (yarn over, knit 1) 6 times, then knit 2 together 3 times; repeat from * to the end.
  5. Row 4: Knit all stitches.
  6. Repeat Rows 1-4 for the desired length.

Tips & Notes

  • The 3 decreases pull each repeat in sharply while the 6 yarn overs fan back out, which is what creates the wavy "shell" edge along one side.
  • This pattern, also called Old Shale, is one of the most forgiving lace patterns to memorize, since only one row in four has any shaping.
  • Blocking is essential here — the scalloped wave edge barely shows until the piece is stretched and pinned.

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