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| Photo above © Foxberryjam |
Lamina by Karen S. Lauger is an elegant knitted lace scarf built around a bold leaf motif with distinctive wavy garter-stitch tips.
Originally published in Knitty's First Fall 2010 issue, Lamina is designed especially well for variegated yarn and is worked in two matching halves from the center outward. The pattern remains completely free, with both the original Knitty version and an updated Ravelry download available today.
✓ Free Pattern Availability
Lamina remains available as a free knitting pattern. The updated Ravelry download includes both written instructions and charts, while the original pattern remains available free from Knitty.
Lamina Scarf at a Glance
Pattern: Lamina
Designer: Karen S. Lauger
Published In: Knitty, First Fall 2010
First Published: July 2010
Craft: Knitting
Category: Scarf
Size: One size
Finished Width: Approx. 7 in / 18 cm
Finished Length: Approx. 63 in / 160 cm
Suggested Yarn: Manos del Uruguay Silk Blend
Yarn Weight: DK / 8 ply
Needles: US 7 / 4.5 mm
Gauge: 18 stitches × 24 rows = 4 in / 10 cm in stockinette
Construction: Worked flat in two halves
Techniques: Lace, provisional cast-on, charts and increases/decreases
Availability: Free pattern
About the Lamina Scarf
Lamina is a decorative lace scarf designed by Karen S. Lauger.
The name is especially appropriate: lamina means the blade of a leaf, and a large leaf shape forms the central visual feature of the scarf.
Rather than creating a small repeating leaf pattern across the entire fabric, the design uses a much bolder motif, accompanied by wavy garter-stitch tips.
Finished Size
After blocking, the original scarf measures approximately:
7 inches wide × 63 inches long
18 cm × 160 cm
These are the designer's finished measurements for the original version. As with most lace knitting, the dimensions can change noticeably during blocking.
Original Yarn
Karen S. Lauger designed Lamina using Manos del Uruguay Silk Blend.
This is a DK-weight blend of approximately 70% merino wool and 30% silk, with about 150 yards / 137 meters per 50 g skein.
The original Knitty version calls for two skeins.
The combination of wool and silk gives the yarn enough definition to show the lace while also providing softness and drape.
A Great Pattern for Variegated Yarn
One of the designer's goals with Lamina was to create a scarf that could show off the beauty of variegated yarn.
The large-scale leaf design provides enough visual structure to remain interesting without relying on a solid-color yarn.
If you have a special hand-dyed DK yarn in your stash, this is the kind of project where its color changes can become an important part of the finished design.
Needles and Gauge
The original Knitty pattern specifies:
US 7 / 4.5 mm straight needles
The published gauge is:
18 stitches × 24 rows = 4 inches / 10 cm in stockinette stitch
Remember that the recommended needle size is only a starting point. Use the needle size necessary for you to obtain an appropriate fabric and gauge.
Worked in Two Halves
One of the most interesting features of Lamina is its construction.
Instead of casting on at one end and knitting continuously to the opposite end, the scarf is worked in two halves from the center.
The first half begins with a provisional cast-on. After that half is completed, the provisional cast-on is removed and the live stitches are placed back on the needle.
The second half is then worked in the opposite direction.
Why Use Two-Half Construction?
This construction is particularly useful for a directional motif such as a leaf.
If the scarf were simply knitted from one end to the other, the motif would appear upright at one end and upside down at the other.
Working outward from the center allows the decorative elements to maintain a balanced orientation when the scarf is worn.
The Provisional Cast-On
A provisional cast-on creates temporary cast-on stitches that can later be removed to expose live stitches.
Lamina uses this technique at the center of the scarf so the second half can be knitted directly from the first half's starting edge.
If provisional cast-ons are new to you, practice the technique on a small swatch before starting the scarf.
The Leaf Lace Motif
The central leaf is formed through carefully arranged yarn overs, decreases and increases.
These operations create both the open lace areas and the shaping that gives the motif its distinctive leaf-blade appearance.
The stitch count changes during parts of the design, so careful row tracking is useful.
Wavy Garter-Stitch Tips
The ends of Lamina contrast with the central lace through their sculptural, wavy appearance.
Garter stitch gives these areas additional texture while helping the scarf's ends stand apart visually from the main leaf section.
Blocking is important for revealing the final shape of these decorative ends.
Charts or Written Instructions?
Knitters have two useful options.
The original Knitty publication provides the pattern with charts, while Karen S. Lauger later made an updated free PDF available through Ravelry that includes written instructions as well as the charts.
This makes the newer version especially useful for knitters who prefer written lace instructions.
Skills That Help
Helpful skills for knitting Lamina include:
- Casting on and binding off
- Knit and purl stitches
- Yarn overs
- Working lace increases and decreases
- Reading a knitting chart
- Following written lace instructions
- Using stitch markers
- Working a provisional cast-on
- Returning live stitches to a needle
- Blocking lace
Use Stitch Markers
The original design uses stitch markers to help separate the edging stitches from the main lace section.
This can make it easier to see whether an accidental increase or decrease has occurred before the error travels into the next section.
Keep Track of Your Rows
Lace projects become much easier when you always know which pattern row you have just completed.
Use a row counter, paper checklist or another method that works reliably for you.
Checking your progress regularly is especially helpful in Lamina because the shape evolves as you move through the charts.
Consider a Lifeline
If you are still becoming comfortable with lace, consider adding a lifeline after a correctly completed section.
A smooth contrasting thread passed through the live stitches gives you a safe point to return to if you later need to unravel several rows.
Blocking Lamina
Blocking is an important finishing step for this design.
Lace often appears compressed while it is still on the needles. Appropriate wet blocking allows the leaf motif and decorative points to open into their intended shapes.
Follow the care requirements of your chosen yarn and use the designer's finished dimensions as a useful reference rather than aggressively stretching the fabric.
Choosing a Substitute Yarn
If you do not use the original Manos del Uruguay Silk Blend, look for a DK-weight yarn with enough stitch definition to show the lace clearly.
A smooth wool, wool blend or another yarn with suitable drape can work well, but always make a swatch before committing a special skein to the project.
Variegated and hand-dyed yarns are particularly worth considering because the original design was intentionally created to showcase them.
Is Lamina Still Free?
Yes. Lamina by Karen S. Lauger remains available as a free knitting pattern.
Ravelry currently provides a free downloadable version containing both written instructions and charts. The original 2010 version also remains available free through Knitty.
Amazing Knitting does not reproduce the designer's complete copyrighted instructions or charts. This page provides an independent project guide and directs knitters to the legitimate original sources.
Get the Free Lamina Pattern
If you prefer written instructions plus charts, use the free Ravelry version:
Get the Free Lamina Pattern on Ravelry →
You can also use the original free Knitty publication:
View the Original Free Pattern on Knitty →
More Free Scarf Knitting Patterns
If you enjoy Lamina, explore more lace scarves and free scarf patterns from the Amazing Knitting archive.
Explore Free Scarf Knitting Patterns →
You can also browse lace scarf patterns, leaf knitting patterns, and free lace knitting patterns.
Before You Start
Decide whether you prefer the chart-based original Knitty version or the updated Ravelry version with both written and charted instructions.
If this is your first provisional cast-on project, practice that technique first. Make a swatch with your chosen yarn, and remember that blocking plays an important role in the final appearance of the leaf lace and wavy ends.
Pattern credit: Lamina was designed by Karen S. Lauger and originally published in Knitty, First Fall 2010. The existing project photograph on this Amazing Knitting page is credited to Foxberryjam. Amazing Knitting does not reproduce the designer's copyrighted charts or complete knitting instructions.