Knit a Lace Bookmark by Ava Coleman

Knit Ava Colman’s lace bookmark, which uses a variety of knitted lace stitches and makes a quick gift. She designed the bookmark as a knitted lace-stitch sampler composed of stitches from various works by Anna Marie Jensen, who was an early International Organization of Lace, Inc. (IOLI) member and Colorado knitted lace pioneer. Enjoy this free pattern from PieceWork!

Knit Ava Colman’s lace bookmark with the instructions provided here. Photos by Joe Coca.

Materials

Yarn DMC Cebelia Crochet Cotton, 100% cotton thread, size 20, 416 yards (380 m)/50 g ball, 1 ball of #799 Medium Delft Blue

Needles size 0 (2 mm)

Finished Size 7 ¾ x 1 ½ inches (19.7 x 3.8 cm), including fringe

Gauge (after blocking) 12 sts and 14 rows = 1 inch (2.5 cm) in stockinette stitch; exact gauge is not critical for this project

Abbreviations

BO—bind off CO—cast on k—knit k1tbl—knit 1 stitch through the back loop k2tog—knit 2 stitches together kwise—as if to knit p—purl p2tog—purl 2 stitches together p2tog tbl—purl 2 stitches together through their back loops p3tog— purl 3 stitches together psso—pass slipped stitch over pwise—as if to purl rep—repeat RS—right side sl—slip ssk—slip 2 stitches individually to right needle as if to knit, insert left needle tip into the fronts of the two slipped stitches, then use right needle to knit them together through their back loops st(s)—stitch(es) wyib—with thread held in back of the work wyif—with thread held in front of the work yo—yarn over

Instructions

CO 18 sts and k across.

Notes: Hereafter, always work the first two sts of each row as k2, and the last two sts as k1, k1tbl. Maintain these 2 edge stitches at each side throughout; the directions below give only the instructions for the center 14 pattern stitches.

Bottom Panel (Bead Stitch)

Row 1 (RS): K1, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, k2, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, k1.

Row 2: P2tog tbl, yo, p3, yo, p2tog, p2tog tbl, yo, p3, yo, p2tog.

Row 3: K1, yo, ssk, k1, k2tog, yo, k2, yo, ssk, k1, k2tog, yo, k1.

Row 4: P2, yo, p3tog, yo, p4, yo, p3tog, yo, p2.

Rows 5–12: Rep Rows 1–4 two more times.

Row 13: K.

Row 14: P.

Second Panel (Fill Stitch)

Row 15 (RS): P.

Row 16: K.

Row 17: K2, [sl 1 pwise wyib, k1] 6 times.

Row 18: K1, [sl 1 pwise wyif, p1] 6 times, k1.

Row 19: K1, [yo, k2tog] 6 times, k1.

Row 20: P.

Rows 21–32: Rep Rows 15–20 two more times.

Row 33: K.

Row 34: P.

Third Panel (Trinity Stitch Variation)

Row 35: K1, [yo, sl 1 kwise wyib, k2tog, psso] 4 times, k1—10 sts in center pattern section; 14 sts total.

Rows 36, 38, 40: P.

Row 37: K1, [k3, yo, k1tbl, yo] 2 times, k1—14 sts in center pattern section; 18 sts total.

Row 39: K1, [sl 1 kwise wyib, k2tog, psso, yo] 4 times, k1—10 sts in center pattern section; 14 sts total.

Row 41: K1, [yo, k1tbl, yo, k3] 2 times, k1—14 sts in center pattern section; 18 sts total.

Row 42: P.

Rows 43–50: Rep Rows 35–42 once more.

Row 51: K.

Row 52: P.

Fourth Panel (Trellis Stitch)

Row 53: * K2, k2tog, yo, k3; rep from * once more.

Row 54: *P1, p2tog tbl, yo, p1, yo, p2tog, p1; rep from * once more.

Row 55: *K2tog, yo, k3, yo, sl 1 kwise wyib, k1, psso; rep from * once more.

Row 56: P.

Row 57: *Yo, sl 1 kwise wyib, k1, psso, k5; rep from * once more.

Row 58: *Yo, p2tog, p2, p2tog tbl, yo, p1; rep from * once more.

Row 59: * K2, yo, sl 1 kwise wyib, k1, psso, k2tog, yo, kl; rep from * once more.

Row 60: P.

Rows 61–76: Rep Rows 53–60 two more times.

Row 77: K.

Rows 78– 79: P.

Rows 80–81: K.

Row 82: P.

Row 83: K.

Rows 84– 85: Rep Rows 82–83 once more.

BO all sts.

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Ava Coleman, who lives in Firestone, Colorado, is an American Sheep Industry certified wool classer and a spinning and knitting instructor. In 1997 she was recognized as a Colorado State Heritage Artist. Her knitted laces have been exhibited in numerous museums and galleries, including at the premier of Denver International Airport’s Art Gallery.

This Project was originally featured in the July/August 2005 issue of PieceWork.

Featured Image: Use your favorite form of needlework to design a one-of-a-kind bookmark. Clockwise from right: Torchon bobbin-lace bookmark by Linda Thompson, cotton, 1992, 12 x 1⅜ inches (30.5 x 3.5 cm), including fringe, collection of Linda Thompson; bobbin-lace bookmark in the shape of a snake by Linda Thompson, metallic and cotton, 2004, 7½ x 1 inch (19.1 x 2.5 cm), collection of Linda Thompson; machine-made lace bookmark, Louise Verschueren Lace Manufactory, Brussels, Belgium, 7¾ x 1½ inches (19.7 x 3.8 cm); tatted bookmark in the shape of a cross by Linda Thompson, cotton, 1992, 8⅜ x 2¾ inches (21.3 x 7.0 cm), including tassel, collection of Linda Thompson; cross-stitched bookmark by Gretchen Allgeier, metallic and cotton threads on cotton, 1992, 6⅞ x 1⅞ inches (17.5 x 4.8 cm), collection of the Gretchen Allgeier.

Updated July 29, 2019.