Weldon's Harebell Lace

This edging is from ca. 1892 *Weldon’s Practical Needlework*, vol. 5, p.10,13. The harebell flower has many names including Scottish bluebell. The Scots used to make blue dye from harebells for their tartans. Folklore states hares can be found where harebells grow, hence the name. The lace edging starts with 21 stitches and has an 18-row repeat. 6 of the 9 wrong-side rows are “p to last stitch, k1”. The other 3 wrong-side rows are “BO4, p to last stitch, k1”. If you’re a tight knitter, consider using larger needles as there’s k3tog, “sl1, k3tog, PSSO” and “sl1, k4tog, PSSO” in the pattern. If that last decrease is too difficult, use any decrease method that decreases 5 stitches down to 1 and use that method throughout the pattern for a consistent appearance. The swatch is 4 inches wide at gauge, measured at one of the points. It took me about a half hour to knit one 18-row repeat of Harebell Lace once I was familiar with the pattern. (It’s easier than it looks.) Skills needed: cast on, slip, knit, purl, YO, SSK, k2tog, k3tog, k4tog, p2tog, SK2P and bind off in knit stitch. Gauge is **not** important in this pattern. **Any** block-able yarn/thread will work. Make a swatch to check gauge and appearance. 65 yards of #10 crochet thread will make 10 inches of Harebell Lace at gauge.