Lacy Fingering Cotton Bookmark (2" x 8")

Flat, symmetrical, open lacy bookmark knitted in fingering weight cotton. Finished size: approximately 2" wide x 8" long (5 cm x 20 cm). Pattern is worked flat; small garter-knit edges keep it lying flat and the lacy center is an easy repeat.

Materials

Yarn: Fingering weight cotton. Example ball: 25 g / 110 yd (100 m). Amount needed: about 20–30 yd (18–27 m) total (a small sample ball is more than enough).
Needles (recommended): US 2 (2.75 mm) — UK (old) 12; or US 3 (3.25 mm) — UK (old) 11 if you prefer a slightly airier lace. Metric shown above in mm.
Notions: tapestry needle for weaving ends, small blocking pins, optional small scrap of cardboard for tassel.

Gauge & Sizing

Gauge is not critical for a bookmark but is useful if you want exact sizing. With the suggested yarn and US 2 needles you should get approximately 7–8 sts = 2" (5 cm) in this open lace after blocking. If your fabric is wider/narrower adjust needle size so the finished width = 2" (5 cm).

Abbreviations (US)

k = knit
p = purl
yo = yarn over
k2tog = knit 2 together (right-leaning decrease)
ssk = slip, slip, knit (left-leaning decrease)

Special notes

Bookmark is worked with 1 garter-edge stitch at each side (knit every row) to reduce curling. The lace motif is worked on RS rows only; WS rows are purled across the center stitches while keeping edge stitches knit.

Stitch counts

Cast on 16 stitches total: 1 selvedge stitch (k) + 14 lace stitches (2 repeats of a 7-stitch motif) + 1 selvedge stitch (k).

Pattern

Cast on 16 sts using your preferred cast-on (long-tail recommended).
Setup row (WS): k1, p14, k1.
Row 1 (RS - Lace row, repeat across): k1, [yo, k2tog, k1, ssk, yo, k1] twice, k1. (Total remains 16 sts.)
Row 2 (WS): k1, p14, k1.
Repeat Rows 1–2 until piece measures 8" (20 cm) from cast-on, ending after a WS row (Row 2). Note: because the repeat is 2 rows it will be symmetrical when you end after Row 2.
Bind off: On the RS, bind off knitwise (or use a stretchy bind-off if you prefer) across in pattern. If you prefer a neat knitted edge, you may work the last WS row as k1, p14, k1 then turn and bind off on RS.

Row-by-row example (first 6 rows)

Setup (WS): k1, p14, k1

Row 1 (RS): k1, yo, k2tog, k1, ssk, yo, k1, yo, k2tog, k1, ssk, yo, k1, k1

Row 2 (WS): k1, p14, k1

Row 3 (RS): repeat Row 1

Row 4 (WS): repeat Row 2

Finishing

Weave in ends with a tapestry needle, trimming close to the fabric.
Blocking: Wet-block or steam-block gently. Pin to a rectangle 2" x 8" (5 cm x 20 cm) taking care to open the lace eyelets slightly for an even look. Allow to dry fully.
Optional tassel: Cut 6–8 strands of yarn 4" (10 cm) long, fold in half, attach at one short end of the bookmark with a simple lark’s head knot. Trim ends evenly to desired length.

Tips

If your bookmark is too wide, go down one needle size; if too narrow, go up one size. Swatch a 2–4” (5–10 cm) sample to check width before committing.
For a firmer bookmark, use a slightly smaller needle than you would for garments with the same yarn; for a more open lacy bookmark, use the larger recommended needle.
Keep tension even on yarn overs to make the lace tidy and symmetrical.

Notes on conversions

Finished dimensions: 2" = 5.08 cm, 8" = 20.32 cm. Needle sizes listed with both US number and metric mm, plus commonly used old UK numbering for reference.

Enjoy! If you have questions about adjusting stitch count or adapting this motif to another width or fiber, check the site: https://purljam.verde.uk or contact support at team@verde.uk. Socials: #purljam

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