I was wondering if anyone knows or has any info on how to create charts for lace patterns which, in the end, seem to have a graphic on them, such as the Heere Be Dragone Shawl. I’m not talking about the pretty peacock feathers or anything like that, but a simple image of something. I have never really knit lace before, so I don’t know how that works.
I’ve always been amazed at how people design these things, too.
If you can get a copy of Barbara Walker’s book on lace patterns, you might be able to get a better idea on how the various increases and decreases create the patterns. Who knows, you might even find something you can use. :shrug: I think it’s the Treasure of Lace–something like that. I got it used from Amazon at a fairly reasonable price. I can check the exact title when I get home.
Thanks 
I will look at that one and see. I was thinking maybe the pattern is made by not using lace where the dark parts are? and then using yarn overs and such elsewhere, perhaps? :shrug:
Lace is lacy parts with yo’s, where you can just pick any simple lace for and knit parts where the image is.
I think I would be able to make a chart of just about anything, just print an image on a grid, so you can see where you should yo , and which decreases and increases you should use. You have to compensate for the yo’s and increase and decreases otherwise the garment will be wider or more narrow every other row. That you can do in the “background” part of the lace.
I never tried it, but I will in the future. For now, I have enough lace pattern waiting for me 
Do you crochet?
The simplest way to make “picture” lace is filet crochet.
Easy, fast and it’s fun to see the images emerge.
Here’s how:
http://www.smartcrochet.com/tutorial.shtml
If you really want to design your own knitted lace, try this book:
Creating Original Hand-Knit Lace by Margaret Stove is excellent but hard to find. Used copies are available and you may find one at your library.
Also look at The First Book of Modern Lace Knitting by Marianne Kinzel and its sequel, the Second Book…
Re: the Barbara Walker treasuries of knitting stitches. These are loaded with great lace stitch patterns, but you should be aware that only the third volume shows charts. The First and Second Treasuries all have written-out directions. They are fantastic reference books, but not, I think, what you are looking for.
Thanks for your input, knitasha
I used to crochet, but I haven’t for a while. I tried filet crochet, and that’s just not as fun as knitting to me, and I never can get crochet edges right…not to mention I have wrist problems.
I will try to keep a lookout for those books you mentioned. I was really hoping there was some simple way to make an image appear, say like if I wanted to knit Super Mario or something lol. Not that I would (but I might, you never know). I wonder if someone has written an article on it or something.
I wrote the designer of the Heere Be Dragone Shawl pattern, and I hope she gets back to me soon about the price. I will probably end up buying it, and perhaps if I haven’t figured out how to chart my own patterns by then, I will study hers intently to see how she did it.