If you’re new to knitting lace, these twelve easy lace scarf knitting patterns are a good introduction. With these patterns you’ll practice the skills that you need for lace knitting – yarn overs, decreases, reading charts and written pattern instructions. If you want to be successful at knitting lace projects, they are skills you’ll certainly need.
Here are the twelve easy lace knitting patterns we’ll look at in this article:
- One Row Lace Scarf
- Gallatin Scarf
- Gothic Lace Cowl
- Strangling Vine Lace Scarf
- Saroyan
- Wisp
- Branching Out Scarf
- Madison Bias Scarf
- Lace Ribbon Scarf
- Easy Lace Scarf
- Checkerboard Lace Scarf
- Kernel Scarf
All of the lace scarf knitting patterns here aren’t just simple rectangles knit from one short end to the other (well, most of them are!). There are some crescent shaped scarf (shawlette) patterns that I’ve included because they are great to practice adding some shaping to your knitting as well – and they make great scarves.
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One Row Lace Scarf
The One Row Lace Scarf is as easy as it gets! Like the title suggests, it’s a one row lace repeat that uses a simple decrease (knit two together) along with yarn overs to create the simple design. It’s easy to adjust the width and the length – and a perfect way to learn some basic lace knitting.
Get the pattern: One Row Lace Scarf
Recommended yarn: Knit Picks Cloud Fingering
The Gallatin Scarf
The Gallatin Scarf by Kris Basta is another easy knit. Instead of a rectangular scarf, this one is a crescent shape that’s worked from the bottom up. It uses a simple lace repeat like the One Row Lace Scarf along with sections of Stockinette and reverse Stockinette to create the crescent shape.
Get the pattern: Gallatin Scarf
Recommended yarn: Berroco Vintage
The Gothic Lace Cowl
The Gothic Lace Cowl, while it isn’t a scarf, it includes instructions for knitting a scarf version. It’s such a great pattern for new lace knitters I just had to include it. And Tin Can Knits has a great tutorial that walks you through everything you need to know (with written and charted lace knitting instructions). It really is a great option for those who want to start knitting lace designs.
Get the pattern: Gothic Lace Cowl
Recommended yarn: Malabrigo Worsted
Strangling Vine Lace Scarf
The Strangling Vine Lace Scarf uses a pretty lace pattern and Garter stitch edge from one short end to the other. It includes charted and written instructions and would certainly be easy to adapt the length and width by working extra multiples of the pattern.
Get the pattern: Strangling Vine Lace Scarf
Recommended yarn: Knit Picks Gloss Fingering
Saroyan
The Saroyan pattern is a pretty, tapered scarf that creates a crescent shape. It begins at one tip with increases to work to the full depth and then decreases to work the other half. It has a simple Garter edge, Stockinette body, and leaf lace pattern along the edge. The pattern includes chart and written instructions.
Get the pattern: Saroyan
Recommended yarn: Dream in Color Classy with Cashmere
Wisp
Wisp is a pretty, versatile pattern that’s simple to work. Just alternate sections of Garter stitch with sections of a simple Fishnet lace, working from one short end to the other. The eyelets that are worked throughout make perfect buttonholes which make this simple scarf so versatile. Add some buttons and you can wear this in so many different ways.
Get the pattern: Wisp
Recommended yarn: Rowan Kidsilk Haze
Branching Out
Branching Out is a classic lace pattern (with charted and written instructions) for a narrow lace scarf worked from one short end to the other short end. You’ll practice yarn overs as well as single and double decreases so it’s a great way to practice some of those techniques that appear in many lace knitting patterns.
Get the pattern: Branching Out
Recommended yarn: Knit Picks Gloss DK
Madison Bias Scarf
The Madison Scarf pattern is a rectangle worked on the bias to add a little bit of interest to your lace scarf knitting. It’s a simple eyelet pattern worked on a Stockinette background. Worked in a light silk yarn blend, it’s a wonderful, lightweight scarf perfect for summer evenings.
Get the pattern: Madison Scarf
Recommended yarn: Sweet Georgia Merino Silk Lace
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Lace Ribbon Scarf
The Lace Ribbon Scarf is a portable pattern – it’s an easy pattern to work on when you have a few moments as the stitch pattern is easy to memorize. The pattern uses double yarn overs (another technique often found in lace patterns) and includes both written and charted instructions for the stitch pattern. It creates pretty, waving ribbons that are worked the length of the scarf – working from one short end to the other.
Get the pattern: Lace Ribbon Scarf
Recommended yarn: Cascade Heritage Silk
Easy Lace Scarf
The Easy Lace Scarf is a great starting place for new lace knitters. It uses a classic ‘feather and fan’ lace pattern that’s commonly used in many patterns. It’s a simple 4-row repeat – and only one of the rows requires you to pay attention – the other rows are just knitting and purling. With one repeat of the pattern and Garter stitch edges, this narrow scarf is a great way to practice this classic stitch pattern.
Get the pattern: Easy Lace Scarf
Recommended yarn: Berroco Ultra Alpaca
Checkerboard Lace Scarf
The Checkerboard Lace Scarf pattern uses just three basic lace techniques – the yarn over and two decreases (k2tog – knit 2 together and ssk – slip, slip, knit). While the pattern repeat is 20 rows long, it’s not difficult (just written instructions only for this pattern) – the odd rows are just purling (which is a good time to make sure you didn’t miss a yarn over). The scarf is worked from one short end to the other with simple Garter stitch edges.
Get the pattern: Checkerboard Lace Scarf
Recommended yarn: Knit Picks Gloss Fingering
Easy Chunky Lace Scarf
The Easy Chunky Lace Scarf pattern is perfect for those who want a quick knit with bulky yarn. You’ll still practice all those basic lace knitting techniques – just in a more modern, bulky knit. It’s a simple four-row repeat (with two of the rows just purling back across the stitches) that’s easy to work. There’s even a video tutorial with some tips and advice for completing the pattern.
Get the pattern: Easy Chunky Lace Scarf
Recommended yarn: Knit Picks Tuff Puff
If you’re ready to practice your lace knitting skills cast on one of these easy lace scarf knitting patterns – you’ll learn some lace knitting techniques and have a pretty scarf for your effort!
If you’re looking for more lace scarf techniques, stitch patterns, and knitting patterns, check out the resources below.
Recommended Knitting Books
- Big Yarn, Beautiful Lace Knits by Barbara Benson and Gale Zucker (available on Amazon)
- Simply Shetland Lace by Brooke Nico (available on Amazon)
- Easy Lace Knits by Anniken Allis (available on Amazon)
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