Lace knitting question

I am wanting to knit Tie-Back Shell It is like the holy grail for me right now. I was reading the pattern yesterday and the lace pattern is 6 sts plus 1 knitted flat. However, in the round it says to knit only over 6 sts, even though in the sentence right after that heading, it says to knit the same as in rows. That is a little confusing. IF, in fact, it is supposed to be just 6 sts and not the 6sts plus 1, I am not sure what that means. I assume I am supposed to eliminate a stitch from the lace pattern but I am not sure which one. I would type out the lace pattern, but I am not sure if that is legal since this is not a free pattern. If anyone can help, I would be so appreciative.

Someone quick-on-the-draw will probably beat me to this, but I’ll try to answer your question anyway.

When you knit back and forth, you often have extra stitches in lace knitting that are partial patterns (for example, you’ll have half of a diamond on the edges and full diamonds everywhere else). But when you knit in the round, you don’t want any partial patterns; instead, you want the full pattern each time.

SO . . . that means you have to take out the partial pattern stitches when knitting in the round. That means you’ll only knit the stitches between the asterisks or parentheses. And you leave off any stitches that come before–and often after–the asterisks (or parens).

I don’t have the pattern but, does it read “multiples of 6sts, plus 1”? If so, the pattern is 6sts. The plus 1 is likely a selvedge stitch for flat knitting. When knitting in the round you don’t need the selvedge stitch because you just carry through from one pattern round to the next. And as far as working the same, flat or in the round, it just means that you follow the pattern chart as written without modification.

Thank you. That makes perfect sense.

Yes, the one stitch is an edge or selvedge stitch which will form part of the seam. The chart may indicate the edge stitch or it may show only the 6stitch lace repeat. If the edge stitch isn’t indicated on the chart, don’t eliminate a stitch from the lace pattern. When the pattern says to knit the same is for rows, it’s probably referring to the lace pattern in the chart, not to the edge stitches.

Thanks so much everyone. Here is the lace pattern. I found out it is a common commonplace pattern so I guess it is ok to type it out. Here it is:
1st Lace Pattern (worked back and forth in rows over a multiple of 6 sts plus 1)

Row 1 and all WS rows: Purl
Row 2: K1, * yo, ssk, k1, k2tog, yo, k1; rep from * to end
Row 4: same as row 2
Row 6: same as row 4
Row 8: K2, * yo, SK2P, yo, K3; rep from * , end last rep with k2
Row 10: K1 * K2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, k1; rep from * to end
Row 12: K2tog, * yo, k3, yo, SK2P, rep from * , end last rep with yo, k3, ssk

2nd Lace Pattern (worked in rounds over a multiple of 6 sts)
Work odd numbered rounds as knit and even numbered rounds the same as the pattern worked in rows.

If the pattern is identical to this one then there isn’t a selvedge or edge stitch. This is a lace pattern over 6sts +1 but there’s a problem in row 10. The row only accounts for a 6st repeat not for the one additional stitch.
For your pattern, if you want to knit it in the round, why don’t you try a small swatch with 2 or 3 repeats and see if it works?

There should be a K1 at the beginning of Row 10. I accidentally left it out. I’ll fix it.

I worked the original pattern in the round and there’s an extra stitch in the pattern at the join so I’d suggest dropping out the first stitch (this is outside the 6st lace repeat) as below. Still it’s worth trying out these 12 rows yourself on a small swatch in the round before knitting the entire top.

Row 1 and all WS rows: Purl
Row 2: * yo, ssk, k1, k2tog, yo, k1; rep from * to end
Row 4: same as row 2
Row 6: same as row 4
Row 8: K1, * yo, SK2P, yo, K3; rep from * , end last rep with k2
Row 10: * K2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, k1; rep from * to end
Row 12: k1, * yo, k3, yo, SK2P, rep from * , end last rep with yo, k3, ssk

Thank you so much. I am going to print that out. Would I still knit it flat with the extra stitch as originally written?

Yes, knit flat according to the original instructions. When I tried a small swatch in the round with the extra stitch I seemed to have an extra stitch at the beginning of round marker. Do try it out on a small swatch yourself though (without the extra stitch), just to be sure.

I will definitely try it out. I have one other question. When I try out the swatch in the round, do I need to cast on in a multiple of 6?

Yes, cast on a multiple of 6. I cast on a multiple of 6 +1 in the round and the repeat before the beginning of round marker had the extra stitch. I figure casting on a multiple of 6 should work.

Thank you and thank you so much for your patience with all my questions. :hug:

We’re all delighted with your questions. I hope the answers are as good. The pattern that you’re doing looks lovely.