Pointele Distresa
Lightweight pointelle scarf with an intentional distressed ladder detail. Worked flat in a simple repeating pointelle lace that creates tiny eyelets. Distressed slits are introduced after knitting by controlled dropped stitches for a modern worn look. Suitable for confident beginners who can follow a lace repeat and perform simple decreases and dropped stitch techniques.
Finished Measurements
- Width 9 inches / 23 cm
- Length 72 inches / 183 cm (before blocking). Adjust length as desired.
Yarn
- Fingering weight yarn. Sample uses 1 skein 100 g / 3.5 oz, 420 yards / 384 meters. Total yardage for sample 420 yards / 384 meters. For a wider or longer piece estimate 450 500 yards / 411 457 meters.
- Fiber choice: wool, wool blends or cotton blends work. For soft drape use a silk blend. For stronger distressed ladders use wool or wool blends that will not ladder unpredictably.
Needles
- US 5
- UK Old 6 (approximate)
- Metric 3.75 mm
- Optional for more drape: US 6 / UK Old 5 / 4.0 mm
Notions
- Stitch markers
- Tapestry needle
- Waste yarn or lifeline for dropped ladder control
- Blocking mats and pins
Gauge
24 sts and 32 rows = 4 inches / 10 cm in pattern on 3.75 mm needles after blocking. Gauge is not critical for this scarf but affects final width and yardage.
Abbreviations
- k = knit
- p = purl
- yo = yarn over
- k2tog = knit two together (right slanting decrease)
- ssk = slip slip knit (left slanting decrease)
- RS = right side
- WS = wrong side
Pattern Notes
This scarf is worked flat. A garter edge of 3 stitches at each side keeps the edges neat and prevents curling. The lace pattern repeat is 8 stitches wide plus edge stitches. The distressing is added after the scarf is finished by creating controlled dropped ladders spaced evenly across the length.
Cast On and Setup
- Cast on 35 stitches using your preferred method. This gives 3 edge sts, 4 repeats of an 8 stitch pointelle pattern, plus 3 edge sts. For a wider scarf cast on additional multiples of 8.
- Row 1 (WS): k3, purl to last 3 sts, k3.
- Row 2 (RS): k3, work Pointelle Pattern across to last 3 sts, k3. Place a removable marker between body and edge if desired.
Pointelle Pattern (multiple of 8)
Work these 8 rows as the lace repeat. The RS rows are shown; on WS rows knit the edge then purl across the body unless instructed otherwise.
Row A (RS): k3, *yo, k2tog, k1, ssk, yo, k1* repeat to last 3 sts, k3
Row B (WS): k3, p across to last 3 sts, k3
Row C (RS): k3, *k1, yo, k2tog, k2, ssk, yo* repeat to last 3 sts, k3
Row D (WS): k3, p across to last 3 sts, k3
Row E (RS): k3, *yo, k2tog, yo, k2, yo, ssk, yo* repeat to last 3 sts, k3
Row F (WS): k3, p across to last 3 sts, k3
Row G (RS): k3, *k2, yo, k2tog, k1, ssk, yo* repeat to last 3 sts, k3
Row H (WS): k3, p across to last 3 sts, k3
Repeat Rows A H for the body.
Work until Desired Length
Continue repeating the 8 row pattern until piece measures about 70 inches / 178 cm or your preferred length. End with Row H of the repeat to create an even edge.
Bind Off
Bind off in pattern loosely while maintaining the garter 3 stitch edges. Recommended method is a stretchy bind off such as Jeny s Surprisingly Stretchy Bind Off or a basic knitted bind off using a larger needle to preserve elasticity and drape.
Blocking
Block gently to open the lace. Pin to target measurements and steam or wet block as appropriate for the yarn fiber. Allow to dry completely.
Distress Technique
The distressed ladders are created by selectively dropping and controlling vertical ladders. Work this step after blocking to control the length of the ladders and to keep them even.
- Mark the locations for ladders. For the sample place ladders every 6 pattern repeats across the width for 3 total ladders. For a wider scarf add more ladders spaced evenly.
- Using a tapestry needle and a contrasting piece of waste yarn, thread the waste yarn through the stitch on the RS where you want the top of the ladder to begin. Secure the waste yarn tail and remove the needle.
- With the waste yarn holding the top stitch, use a fine crochet hook or your knitting needle to unpick the stitch below the marked stitch purlwise so that it becomes a slipped stitch. Drop the stitch below the marked stitch down to the cast on edge or to the garter border to create a ladder. If you prefer shorter slits drop only 10 20 rows.
- When the desired ladder length is reached, secure the bottom of the ladder by weaving in a small length of matching yarn across the rungs or by picking up a single stitch at the bottom and grafting across to secure. Trim waste yarn and weave in ends.
- Tidy each ladder by gently stretching and shaping so the slits are even. If a ladder wants to run further than intended, pick up the run with a crochet hook and secure with a row of small stitches using matching yarn.
Finishing
- Weave in all ends. Tidy the garter edges.
- Optional: Add small tassels or knots at each short edge for decoration. Be mindful that heavy additions change drape.
Variations & Tips
- Use a contrasting color for the dropped ladder top to make the distressing more graphic.
- For a subtler look drop fewer rows or place ladders only near one end.
- To make the ladders permanent and resist further runs, secure rungs at regular intervals with tiny catch stitches across the ladder.
- If you prefer a non distressed look simply skip the Distress Technique section and finish after blocking and bind off.
Care
- Follow fiber specific care. Hand wash in cool water and lay flat to dry is safest for most fingering blends.
- Repairing ladders: salvage accidental runs by securing with few small stitches. The deliberately made distress ladders are designed to be tidy and stable when secured at both ends.
Support
If you have questions or need help with any step email team@verde.uk. Visit the project page at https://purljam.verde.uk and share on socials using #purljam.