Blog

Fourth tile of KAL Blanket Afghan: Lace Kisses

Posted on by Lorenza Il Filarino
17
Apr

We have reached the fourth date!

Dear friends of KAL Blanket Afghan, here we are again together for another appointment of this wonderful collective project! This week we present the fourth tile: the Lace Kisses, a delicate and refined openwork stitch, capable of transforming each square into a small masterpiece. If you have already worked the first three tiles, you know how much each appointment brings with it a new challenge and satisfaction. With Baci di Pizzo the level goes up one more step, but don’t worry: with a little attention and a lot of passion, the result will amply repay you for each cast-on

What is the Baci di Pizzo point?

The Baci di Pizzo stitch is a pierced stitch, belonging to the large family of lace knitting.
It is a pattern structured on a series of cast-ons (yarn over) and cast-ons (K2Tog, SKP, SK2P) that work in perfect balance with each other: each stitch added with the cast-on is offset by a decrease, thus keeping the number of stitches constant from one needle to the next.
The result is a geometric pattern reminiscent of overlapping Xs, almost two hearts brushing against each other-hence the poetic name Lace Kisses. The resulting fabric is light, airy, with small eyelets forming a symmetrical and very elegant pattern.

■ Lace knitting requires concentration, especially in the odd-numbered needles (the right side of the work). Be patient: it may seem complicated at first, but once you find the rhythm the pattern will flow naturally under your fingers!

The yarn: Nordica by Manifattura Sesia

For this KAL we chose the yarn Nordica by Manifattura Sesia, and for Lace Kisses this choice turns out to be particularly apt. The lightness and compactness of Nordica brings out the openwork in an extraordinary way: the lace eyelets emerge clear and defined, and the castings remain open and airy without the yarn tending to stretch too much. Nordica is an excellent quality yarn, perfect for those who want a blanket that is not only beautiful to look at but also pleasant to touch. Its composition ensures durability, easy maintenance and a vibrant color rendition that makes every stitch stand out.

Materials needed for this tile:

● Nordica Yarn – Color A: 2 balls of 50 g
● Nordica Yarn – Color B: 1 ball of 50 g
● One pair of 4.5 mm needles (No. 7 UK / US 7)
● One stitch marker (optional but recommended)
● One placeholder for the iron you are working

Blanket Kit: Special Offer for Nordic Wool Sesia Yarns

How the scheme works

The tile is worked on 41 stitches started with 4.5-mm needles. The first five knitting needles are worked entirely in right-hand stitch, thus creating the lower edging in lace stitch that frames the pattern and prevents the tile from curling. Beginning with iron 6, the alternation between the right-hand needles of the work (with the right-hand stitches in the center) and the reverse needles (where the center is worked backwards) begins. The actual pierced pattern takes shape beginning on needle 9, when the first cast-on and cast-offs pattern the Lace Kisses. The pattern repeats in a mirrored, symmetrical fashion: you will find two motifs side by side in the center of the tile, separated by a group of right-hand knits. The cast-offs include K2Tog (2 knits together in straight), SKP (pass one knit, knit straight, pass the unknit knit over the knit knit) and SK2P (pass 2 knits, knit straight, pass the unknits over the knit knit). Each of these cast-offs creates a different direction in the openwork, contributing to the unmistakable shape of Lace Kisses.

■ Recommend using a marker every 8 stitches to keep track of the pattern. If you get lost, recount from the edge in purl (3 dir) and immediately locate where you are!

Voltage and final measurements

Sample: 20 knits and 27 needles = 10 cm in fancy stitch with 4.5 mm needles
Final size 20 × 20 cm
4.5 mm needles (No. 7 UK / US 7)

If your sample is narrower or wider, change iron size until you reach the specified tension. This will ensure that the finished tile measures exactly 20 × 20 cm, so that all the tiles in the blanket join together perfectly.

Colors: how to customize your blanket

One of the most fun aspects of the KAL Blanket Afghan is the freedom to customize the colors!

The scheme allows for the possibility of working with 5 colors (4 tile colors + 1 border color) or as many as 9 colors (8 tile colors + 1 border color), creating completely different visual effects.
For the Baci di Pizzo tile, a solid color that is not too varied is the most effective choice: perforations emerge best on uniform shades, where the eyelets create contrast with light and shadow without being distracted by the variation of the yarn

■ If you use a dark color, put a white sheet of paper under your work while you knit-it will be much easier to distinguish the stitches and follow the pattern!

Join us and share your work!

If you are following KAL for the first time, welcome! You can find all the previous tiles on our website www.ilfilarino.it in the blog section dedicated to KAL Blanket Afghan. We hope the Lace Kisses give you as much satisfaction as they gave us in offering them to you.

Knit with joy, and remember: every cast is a little hug!

See you at the next meeting!

Share your fourth tile in the comments, on social media, and in KAL-dedicated groups: seeing everyone’s progress is one of the greatest thrills of this collective adventure. And if you have questions about Lace Kisses, mesh counting or casting techniques, don’t hesitate to ask: we’re all here to learn and grow together.

Now download the pattern here and start creating with us: PUNTO4.KAL.COVER.NORDIC

The next tile awaits you – and with it, a new stitch, new challenges and new satisfaction. Happy knitting to all! 🧶