K681-Lace Lampshade

K681-Lace Lampshade by Nazanin Fard

Project Overview

The K681-Lace Lampshade is a knitted lace design created by independent designer Nazanin Fard that transforms an ordinary lampshade into an elegant decorative piece. This intermediate-level knitting project uses delicate lace techniques to create an openwork fabric that drapes beautifully over a lampshade base, allowing light to filter through the intricate pattern.

What Is Being Made

This project creates a knitted lace band designed to wrap around and decorate a standard lampshade. The finished lace piece is attached to the lampshade using a glue gun and is accented with floral lacing trim. The designer notes that this pattern can be adapted and scaled up to create larger pieces suitable for bigger lampshades, making it a versatile design for various lampshade sizes.

Knitting Techniques Used

The K681-Lace Lampshade employs several fundamental lace knitting techniques to create its delicate, openwork appearance. The pattern relies heavily on yarn overs to create the characteristic holes and eyelets that define lace knitting. Decreases in the form of knit two together (k2tog) and slip, slip, knit (ssk) are strategically placed throughout the pattern to balance the yarn overs and maintain stitch count. These paired increases and decreases create the flowing, geometric openwork that allows light to pass through the finished piece.

The lace is worked in the round on circular knitting needles, which allows for seamless construction and even stitch distribution around the lampshade circumference. The pattern alternates between lace rounds containing yarn overs and decreases with plain knit rounds, which provides structural stability and prevents the delicate lace from becoming too loose or distorted.

Stitches Used

• Knit (k): The basic stitch used throughout the pattern, particularly in the plain rounds that alternate with lace rounds
• Yarn over (yo): Creates the decorative eyelets and openwork characteristic of lace knitting
• Knit two together (k2tog): A right-leaning decrease used to balance yarn overs
• Slip, slip, knit (ssk): A left-leaning decrease that provides directional variation in the lace pattern

The pattern is based on a multiple of 8 stitches, which means the stitch count must be divisible by 8 to maintain pattern integrity around the circular needle. The lace pattern repeats across all stitches in each round, creating a consistent, symmetrical design around the lampshade.

Materials and Tools

Yarn: The project uses 55 yards (50 meters) of ecru, 100% mercerized crochet cotton size 10. Mercerized cotton is a refined yarn that has been treated to increase luster and strength, making it ideal for delicate lace work. The ecru color provides a neutral, elegant tone suitable for home décor applications. The thread weight is fine, allowing for intricate stitch definition in the lace pattern.

Needles: Three sizes of 16-inch circular knitting needles are required: size 1 (2.25 mm), size 2 (2.75 mm), and size 4 (3.5 mm). The pattern specifies that size 4 needles should be used to achieve the correct gauge of 17 stitches over 4 inches. The different needle sizes may be used for different sections of the pattern or for ribbing, though the primary working needle is size 4.

Additional Supplies: A standard lampshade serves as the base for the finished lace piece. A glue gun is used to secure the knitted lace to the lampshade surface. Floral lacing trim measuring 45 inches (114 cm) long is applied in a coordinating color to accent and finish the edges of the knitted lace. A tapestry needle is included for weaving in yarn ends and any finishing details.

Gauge and Sizing

The stitch gauge for this project is 17 stitches equals 4 inches (10 cm) when worked with size 4 needles. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for proper fit on the lampshade. Knitters should always knit a gauge swatch before beginning the project to ensure their tension matches the pattern specifications. The designer provides guidance that the pattern can be enlarged by using larger needles and heavier yarn to accommodate bigger lampshades.

Difficulty Level