Utterly soft and delicate. Light and captivating. Supple and velvety. Like the silky feel of a newly released flower petal arching its tip towards the sun. That’s the CashSilk Lace. When you pick it up to knit with, it is like returning home to a warm fire and a hot cup of tea. Who knew a simple lace yarn could evoke such romanticism and mushy delight?! Consider me a melted puddle of fiber-love.
I decided this yarn needed a subtle lace in my swatch play this month, so I experimented with a simple zig-zag pattern that is quick to memorise and perfect for any level of knitter. It was the right choice because the fabric blossomed into a delicious drape and lightness ideal for any spring project you had in mind. Next-to-skin softness and practically weightless, I’m already envisioning some easy tanks, cowls, and scarves that I want to knit!
For colours, I followed my desire for clear, warm blue skies, choosing Mirror Pond and Beach House. Mirror Pond is a new variegated that was just introduced last month; it’s like looking up at the sky through the branches of budding pear trees. Or, at least that’s where my romantic (corny?) mind takes me … Grin! The zig-zag lace has such a lovely interplay in the short colour bursts that works wonderfully, while on the semi-solid Beach House, the pattern feels more like a relief popping off the fabric. The results on both colourways remain gently muted, though, allowing the colour and yarn texture to remain in intense focus.
How about you swatch a little? I used size US 3 (3.25 mm) needles to enhance the drape a little more and cast on 37 sts …
Zig-Zag Lace (mult of 7 sts + 2)
Row 1 (RS): K1, *yo, ssk, k5 ; rep from * to last st, k1.
Row 2 and all WS rows: K1, purl to last st, k1.
Row 3: K1, *k, yo, ssk, k4 ; rep from * to last st, k1.
Row 5: K1, *k2, yo, ssk, k3 ; rep from * to last st, k1.
Row 7: K1, *k3, yo, ssk, k2 ; rep from * to last st, k1.
Row 9: K1, *k4, yo, ssk, k ; rep from * to last st, k1.
Row 11: K1, *k4, k2tog, yo, k ; rep from * to last st, k1.
Row 13: K1, *k3, k2tog, yo, k2 ; rep from * to last st, k1.
Row 15: K1, *k2, k2tog, yo, k3 ; rep from * to last st, k1.
Row 17: K1, *k, k2tog, yo, k4 ; rep from * to last st, k1.
Row 19: K1, *k2tog, yo, k5 ; rep from * to last st, k1.
What do you think? This deliciously silky yarn might seem intimidating (as most lace yarns are apt to be), but don’t be deterred. It works wonderfully for any shawl, cowl, or garment where you want next-to-skin luxury. Let me offer up a little hint here – newsletter subscribers get an exclusive free pattern every month (did you know that?)! I’m so enamoured with this yarn and how well the two colours work together that I’m using it for an upcoming cowl pattern. You might consider picking up some CashSilk Lace for your own upcoming project. Hint, hint.
