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A shade in this fawn colour creates intimate lighting for romantic moments. The rib pattern is classic and complements any decor.

Finished measurements
25"/63.5 cm x 14"/35.5 cm

Yarn
6 skeins Suss Alpaca (100% alpaca; 2 oz/57 g; 163 yds/150 m), colour fawn

Notions
• 1 pair size 10-1/2 (6.5 mm) needles (24"/61 cm circular needles recommended)
• 1 stitch marker (recommended if you use circular needles)
• Tapestry needle
• 2 lampshades: 8"/20 cm in diameter, 9"/23 cm tall
• 3 yds beading cord elastic, 1/2"
• 1 safety pin

Gauge
14 sts and 16 rows = 4"/10 cm in rib pattern

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Making the lampshade
Cast on 88 sts.
Work in a four-by-four rib (knit 4 sts, purl 4 sts), and repeat to the end of the row for 14"/35.5 cm, or approximately 56 rows.
Bind off sts loosely following the rib pattern.

Note: This pattern may also be worked with 16"/41 cm or 24"/61 cm circular needles. Cast on 88 sts as above and work in a four-by-four rib pattern. Make sure you place a stitch marker, or tie a piece of contrasting yarn, between the first and last stitch so your first row does not become twisted. When your piece measures 14"/35.5 cm (approximately 56 rows), bind off loosely following the rib pattern. You will not need to follow the seaming instructions below.

Make two lampshades.

Finishing
Weave in all loose ends with the tapestry needle.

Fold each long edge over 1-1/4"/3 cm toward wrong side, and pin down with sewing pins. Whipstitch this seam using the tapestry needle and yarn, making sure that stitches are not visible on right side. Make sure the top and bottom seams are wide enough to allow you to thread hte elastic through the channels.

Turn the piece over so the right side is facing outward and fold so that the short (cast-on and bind-off) edges meet. Use an invisible join, or whipstitch the two edges together, working between the seamed channel you have sewn down the long edges of the fabric. Leave the inside, or wrong side, of these channels open for the time being, as you will need these openings to thread elastic through the top and bottom of the finished lampshade. You may want to use safety pins to hold the edges together while you join them.

Repeat as follows: insert the needle knitwise into the same first stitch on the cast-on edge, and then insert the needle purlwise into the second stitch on the cast-on edge. Next, insert the needle purlwise into the first stitch on the bind-off edge, and then insert the needle knitwise into the second stitch of the bind-off edge. Repeat this process until you reach the final stitch before the seamed channel on the other long side, pulling the yarn tight every few stitches. The joining seam should be nearly invisible. With the tapestry needle, weave in any loose ends.

Cut the elastic in half. Attach the end of one half to one of the large safety pins. Thread the safety pin through the top channel, taking care to hold on to the other end of the elastic. Pin the two ends of the elastic together. Repeat this process on the bottom channel.

Test the size of the finished piece by fitting it over the lampshade. The cover should fit snugly over the lampshade but should also be loose enough that you can take it on and off for cleaning. The elastic should be tight enough to hold the piece in place. For the top channel, remove the safety pin and tie the two ends of the elastic together to give the piece the desired circumference. Repeat for the bottom channel. Take the piece off the lampshade and stitch up the top and bottom channel openings.

Stretch the lampshade cover over the lampshade and adjust it so it lies smoothly and the stitches line up vertically. Attach your lampshade to your lamp, turn on the light, and enjoy!

 

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Excerpted from Suss Cousins Home Knits: Luxurious Handknits for Every Room of the House, copyright 2006 by Suss Cousins. Excerpted with permission from Potter Craft, a division of Random House, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced except with permission in writing from the publisher.