KINGSMERE CRAFTS

A knowledge of the square stitch is useful to have before starting this one. Use two strands of lace of equal length (and if you base your estimate of the length required on approximately 1" of round stitch for every foot of lace) you'll know more or less how long your two strands should be to achieve your purpose.

As in fig 1 start with the square stitch, (see here if you can't remember) continue as in fig 2 taking the strand nearest to you up, over and across the small square shape to create the first loop (remember, cross the starter stitch). Next, take the strand farthest from you, fig 3, and bring it up. over and across the starter stitch so that its loop is next to the first loop you made. Now, the first weave does the same crossing. The strand on your left goes up and over the nearest loop then crosses and under the second. Take care, every strand needs to cross in this stitch or it will all come apart. Looking at fig 5 you'll see that the strand on your right comes up and over the loop nearest to it, then crosses and goes under the farther loop, that is, it crosses the earlier stitch not the strand you were last working with, it should sit beside that one, as it is shown in fig 6.

Figure 7 illustrates how it looks after you pull all the strands tight. Now, fig 8, if you do one more stitch, you'll be straight. Take the first strand up, over and across the previous stitch to form the first loop, now as in fig 9, take the opposite strand up over and across to form the second loop which should be sitting beside the first loop. Don't cross the loops. Have a look at fig 10 now, the strand on your left comes up and over the loop nearest to it before crossing the centre and going under the second loop.

See, in fig 11, how the right strand comes up and over its nearest loop, the crosses and goes under the farthest loop, once more sitting beside the strand you were last working with. While the strands, fig 12, are still loose, check their placement, before, fig 13, pulling them tight to complete the stitch. Looking at fig 14 you can see what the round stitch will look like when you've done quite a number of the stitches. However, before pulling all the central strands tight, you can add the finishing stitch as shown here.