This project is a great introduction to lace knitting. To begin, knit this very simple eight-wedge doily to learn the techniques. Each wedge is one petal of a simple flower. After Row 36, the flower petals taper as increases are worked in a simple fill pattern that expands the doily circumference. Try the delicate beanie next, in which the increases are followed by a twisted-rib pattern that forms a cylinder or tube on the circle to cover the ears. The doily is finished with a basic crochet bind-off; the beanie is finished with an elastic bind-off.
Doily: About 101⁄2" (26.5 cm) in diameter.
Beanie: About 18" (475.5 cm) in circumference; will stretch comfortably to 20" (51 cm).
Doily: Laceweight (#0 Lace).
Shown here: Optima 10 (100% cotton; 306 yd [280 m]/50 g): #OPO29 Periwinkle, 1 ball (this is enough for at least two doilies).
Beanie: Fingering weight (#1 Super Fine).
Shown here: Malabrigo Silky Merino (50% baby merino, 50% silk; 150 yd [137 m]/50 g): #426 Plum Blossom, 1 skein.
Doily: U.S. size 1 (2.25 mm): set of 5 double-pointed (dpn) and 16" (40 cm) circular (cir).
Beanie: U.S. size 3 (3.25 mm): set of 5 double-pointed (dpn) and sizes 3, 2, and 1 (3.25, 2.75, and 2.25 mm): 16" (40 cm) circular (cir) each.
Adjust needle size if necessary to obtain the correct gauge.
Stitch marker (m): size 6 (1.8 mm) steel crochet hook for doily; tapestry needle; 7" (18 cm) bowl and coffee can for blocking beanie.
Doily: 18 sts and 24 rnds = 2" (5 cm) according to Clematis Doily Chart, worked in rnds, after blocking.
Beanie: 16 sts and 20 rnds = 2" (5 cm) on medium-size needles according to Rnds 53–60 of Clematis Beanie Chart, worked in rnds, after blocking.
With dpn, use the long-tail method (see Techniques) to CO 8 sts. Divide sts evenly on 4 dpn so that there are 2 sts on each needle. Place marker and join for working in rnds, being careful not to twist sts. Slip marker every rnd.
Knit 1 rnd.
Work Rnds 1–59 of Clematis Doily Chart, changing to cir needle when there are too many sts to fit comfortably on dpn and ending 1 st before end of last rnd—240 sts.
With RS facing, use the gathered crochet method (see Techniques) to BO as foll: *gather 3, chain 8; rep from *. Secure the final chain st to the first group of gathered sts with a sl st. Cut yarn, leaving a 9" (23 cm) tail. Pull tail through rem loop to secure.
Weave in loose ends but do not trim the tails.
Soak in cool water at least 30 minutes. Roll in a towel to remove extra water. Lay on a flat padded surface and place a pin in each crochet loop, stretching firmly to finished dimensions. Allow to air-dry completely before removing pins.
Trim tails on woven-in ends.
With dpns, use the long-tail method (see Techniques) to CO 8 sts. Divide sts evenly on 4 dpn so that there are 2 sts on each needle. Place marker and join for working in rnds, being careful not to twist sts. Slip marker every rnd.
Knit 1 rnd.
Work Rnds 1–60 of Clematis Beanie Chart, changing to largest cir needle when there are too many sts to fit comfortably on dpns—144 sts.
Change to medium cir needle and work Rnds 53–60 once more.
Change to smallest cir needle and work Rnds 53–60 once more.
Work Rnds 61–66 of chart—128 sts rem.
BO as foll: *k2tog through back loops (tbl), bring yarn to front of work, return 1 st to left needle tip, p2tog, bring yarn to back of work, return 1 st to left needle tip; rep from *, ending k2togtbl, bring yarn to front of work, return 1 st to left needle tip, p2tog.
Cut yarn, leaving a 9" (23 cm) tail. Bring tail through rem st and pull tight to secure.
Weave in loose ends but do not trim tails.
Soak in cool water at least 30 minutes. Roll in a towel to remove extra water. Place over 7" (18 cm) diameter bowl. Place the bowl upside down on a cylinder (a coffee can works well) so that the ribbing hangs freely. Smooth flower design over the top of the bowl with your fingers. Allow to air-dry completely before removing from bowl.
Trim tails on woven-in ends.
