Imperial Crowns Free Lace Knitting Stitch. The Imperial Crowns stitch is a delicate lace pattern built on graceful arches that resemble a row of tiny crowns. It combines double yarn overs, paired decreases, and shifting placement every twelve rows to create a soft, scalloped texture with openwork points. The alternating sections of lace and stockinette give it balance — airy but structured.

This stitch works beautifully for shawls, lightweight sweaters, and decorative panels. Its rhythmic, crown-like motifs look especially striking in fine cotton, silk, or merino yarns where the lace definition stands out clearly.

Legend:

• Black Diamond with lines through it = (K2tog twisted – knit 2 twisted stitches together)
• Solid Black Square = (1 knit stitch)
• Circle = (1 yarn over)
• Black Triangle pointing Right = (K2tog – knit 2 stitches together)

Following diagram 4, cast on 14 stitches for each pattern repeat plus 2 edge stitches if working back and forth in rows.
On wrong-side rows, knit the stitches as they appear, and purl the yarn overs.

As shown in the chart, the pattern shifts by 7 stitches after 12 rows.
After completing the 24th row, start again from the 1st row.

For beginners, here is a written explanation for rows 1–12:

1st and 3rd rows:
Purl 4, knit 2 together through the back loop, knit 1, yarn over twice, knit 1, knit 2 together, purl 3.
2nd and 4th rows:
Knit 3, purl 7, knit 4.

5th and 7th rows:
Purl 3, knit 2 together, knit 1, yarn over, knit 3, yarn over, knit 1, knit 2 together through the back loop, purl 2.
6th and 8th rows:
Knit 2, purl 9, knit 3.

9th and 11th rows:
Purl 2, knit 2 together, knit 1, yarn over, knit 5, yarn over, knit 1, knit 2 together through the back loop, purl 1.
10th and 12th rows:
Knit 1, purl 11, knit 2.

Starting from the 13th row, the pattern is offset — begin with knit 1, yarn over, knit 1, and continue in pattern.

When working in the round, follow the chart or written instructions for the patterned rounds.
For the in-between rounds (the even-numbered rounds):

• 2nd and 4th rounds: Purl 4, knit 7, purl 3.
• 6th and 8th rounds: Purl 3, knit 9, purl 2.
• 10th and 12th rounds: Purl 2, knit 11, purl 1.