Trending: openwork lace knits

Knitted and crocheted lacework designs are a big trend in knitwear this spring/summer 2018 – and are a fantastic source of inspiration for knitters.

This lace trend is quite literally big, with many designers featuring large openwork designs of eyelets and other motifs, which often spread across garments in all-over designs.

These lace designs are used across all kinds of knitwear, but create very different looks- from elegant and ethereal pieces, to those that are reminiscent of 90s grunge or the 1960s/70s handmade crafts aesthetic.

Knit-inspiration

The majority of the lace designs on sale appear to be crocheted- but a very similar look can be re-created using knitted lace instead. See below for knit-inspiration for each style of lace garment.

For the first time, I’ve also included some crochet pattern suggestions as there are a number of designs that can really only be reproduced using crochet stitches (e.g. granny square motifs). Many of these designs use very simple crochet stitches, and so are perhaps a good way for any non- or beginner crocheters to try crocheting a garment. Very Pink Knits has a number of great video tutorials that explain the basic crochet stitches- see her series Crochet for Knitters (here).

Orderly eyelets: neat eyelet rows fill the fabric or mark out sections of otherwise simple sweaters

House of Holland Hooded Patchwork Merino Wool-blend Sweater (from netaporter)

Victoria Beckham Open-knit wool-blend sweater (from netaporter)

See by Chloe Stiiped Crocheted Cotton Blend Sweater

DESIGNER: Clockwise, from top left, House of Holland Hooded Patchwork Merino Wool Blend Sweater (here), See by Chloe Striped Crocheted Cotton-blend Sweater (here), Victoria Beckham Open-knit wool-blend sweater (here).

Prairie Tunic by Veronik Avery

Sandshore by Alicia Plummer

Timeless Henley by Joji Locatelli

Angelina Cardigan (knit) by Vicky Chan

Rhilea by Suvi Simola

Delineate by Olga Buraya-Kefelian (photo copyright Amy Gwatki)

KNIT-INSPIRATION: clockwise from top left, Prairie Tunic by Veronik Avery (here), Sandshore by Alicia Plummer (here), Timeless Henley by Joji Locatelli (here),  Delineate by Olga Buraya-Kefelian (photo copyright Amy Gwatki) (here), Rhilea by Suvi Simola (here), Angelina Cardigan by Vicky Chan (here).

Pretty Elegant: delicate, all-over designs and pretty flourishes

Lela Rose Fringed Crocheted Lace Peplum Top (from net-a-porter)

Claudie Pierlot V-neck Open-knit Jumper (from Selfridges)

Isabel Marant Camden Lace and Crocheted Cotton Sweater

Missoni Belted Metallic Crochet Knit Cardigan (from netaporter)

DESIGNER: from top left, Lela Rose Fringed Crocheted Lace Peplum Top (here), Claudie Pierlot V-neck Open-knit Jumper (here), Isabel Marant Camden Lace and Crocheted Cotton Sweater (here), Missoni Belted Metallic Crochet Knit Cardigan (here).

Cloud Cover by Yumiko Alexander

Rosina Pullover/Rosina Sweater by FadenStille

April by Isabell Kraemer (photo copyright Pam Allen)

Hitofude by Hiroko Fukatsu

KNIT-INSPIRATION: clockwise from top left, Cloud Cover by Yumiko Alexander (here), April by Isabell Kraemer (photo copyright Pam Allen) (here), Hitofude by Hiroko Fukatsu (here), Rosina Pullover/Rosina Sweater by FadenStille (here).

A nod to the 90s: a slightly grunge inspired, anti-pretty look in the bomber jacket style cardigan and all over mesh

Isabel Marant Zoe Oversized Open-knit Cotton Blend Turtleneck Sweater (from netaporter)

Saint Laurent Striped Open-knit Linen and Silk Blend Top (from netaporter)

Beaufille Nerva Open-knit Turtleneck

DESIGNER: from top left, Isabel Marant Zoe oversized open-knit cotton blend turtleneck sweater (here), Beaufille Nerva Open-knit Turtleneck (here), Saint Laurent Striped Open-knit Linen and Silk Blend Top (here).

51-29 Lang Yarns Lino / Canapa by LANGYARNS SWITZERLAND

Nijo by Berroco Design Team

Stonecutter Sweater by Amy Miller (photo copyright Interweave / Joe Hancock)

KNIT-INSPIRATION: Clockwise from top left, 51-29 Lang Yarns Lino / Canapa by LANGYARNS SWITZERLAND (here), Stonecutter Sweater by Amy Miller (photo copyright Interweave / Joe Hancock) (here), Nijo by Berroco Design Team (here).

Quintessential Crochet: classic granny squares and stripes form patchwork designs with a folk art, 1960s-70s boho feel

Burberry Patchwork Crocheted Vest (from net-a-porter)

Mira Mikati Striped Crocheted Cotton Sweater (from net-a-porter.com)

See by Chloe Crocheted Cotton Mini Dress (from net-a-porter)

Claudie Pierlot Mainate Floral Crochet Knitted Jumper (from selfridges.com)

Free People Call Me Crocheted Knitted Cotton Jumper (from Selfridges.com)

DESIGNER: Clockwise, from top left: Burberry Patchwork Crocheted (here), Mira Mikati Striped Crocheted Cotton Sweater (here), See by Chloe Crocheted Cotton, Free People Call Me Crocheted Knitted Cotton Jumper (here), Claudie Pierlot Mainate Floral Crochet Knitted Jumper (here).

#21 Ballet-neck tee by Linda Skuya (photo copyright Vogue Knitting Crochet 2014, photo by Paul Amato for LVARepresents.com)

Mandala Vest Top by Simone Francis (photo copyright Simply Crochet)

#11 Lace Tank by Yoko Hatta (photo copyright Vogue Knitting)

Lottie Top by Moon Eldridge (photo copyright Interweave Crochet 2014)

CROCHET-INSPIRATION: Clockwise from top left, #21 Ballet-neck tee by Linda Skuya (photo copyright Vogue Knitting Crochet 2014, photo by Paul Amato for LVARepresents.com ) (here), #11 Lace Tank by Yoko Hatta (photo copyright Vogue Knitting) (here), Lottie Top by Moon Eldridge (photo copyright Interweave Crochet 2014)(here), Mandala Vest by Simone Francis (photo copyright Simply Crochet) (here).

Over to you

What do you think of this openwork lace look? Do you have any favourite lace knitting (or crochet!) patterns that you have made or would like to make?