Lampshade cover

Transform a plain lampshade with this beautiful fan stitch lace cover by Sarah Dennis.

Use clever lace and slipped stitches to create a stand-out light feature.

Add a touch of elegance to your bedroom with intricate lace. Not only is the unusual fan stitch beautiful to look at, it’s interesting to knit too, so this is a great pattern to go for on drizzly spring weekends when you’re stuck indoors. Plus, what could be better than a cosy afternoon on the sofa, snuggled up with an intriguing knitting project?

Notes When a stitch marker is used, slip it each time it’s reached, unless stated otherwise in the row instructions. The lampshade cover is easily adjusted to fit different cylindrical frames – cast on a multiple of 12 sts and work patt as given below.

LAMPSHADE

Cast on 120 sts using 3mm circular needle. Join into the round, taking care not to twist sts. Note You may find it useful to place a marker after every 12 sts to help keep count of sts in this pattern. Round 1 *K1, yo, K4, s2kpo, K4, yo; rep from * to end of round. Round 2 Knit. Round 3 *K2, yo, K3, s2kpo, K3, yo, K1; rep from * to end of round. Round 4 Knit. Round 5 *K3, yo, skip the next 7 sts and insert the RH needle here (in the space between the LH needle and the knitting) to draw up the long loop, pull this loop through and place it at the front of the LH needle (so it would be the next st knitted if you were just knitting normally) and knit it together with the first of the 7 sts that you skipped, K1, s2kpo, K2, yo, K2; rep from * to end of round. Round 6 Knit. Remove st marker, K6, then replace marker. Work Rounds 7–12 from new marker position. Round 7 *K1, yo, K4, s2kpo, K4, yo; rep from * to end of round. Round 8 Knit. Round 9 *K2, yo, K3, s2kpo, K3, yo, K1; rep from * to end of round. Round 10 Knit. Round 11 *K3, yo, skip the next 7 sts and insert the RH needle here (in the space between the LH needle and the knitting) to draw up the long loop, pull this loop through and place it at the front of the LH needle (so it would be the next st knitted if you were just knitting normally) and knit it together with the first of the 7 sts that you skipped, K1, s2kpo, K2, yo, K2; rep from * to end of round.

Round 12 Knit to last 6 sts of round, place second st marker (this marker is now in the original position). Recommence Round 1, starting from this marker, and remove the marker that was placed between Rounds 6 and 7. Rounds 1–12 form pattern. Rep Rounds 1–12 until shade meas approx 18cm (this will stretch over a 20cm lampshade frame), ending with Round 6 or Round 12 of patt.

Cast off using a 3 mm needle.

FINISHING

Block and weave in any loose ends.

you block Make sure firmly to knitting your scalloped prevent the curling edge from

Pull the yarn through and around selected live stitches to create the long loops.

Using a larger needle to cast off gives you an even finished edge that isn’t too tight.