Gossamer Shrug in Rowan Kidsilk Haze - Downloadable PDF

Gossamer Shrug in Rowan Kidsilk Haze – Knitting Pattern Summary

The Gossamer Shrug is a beautifully delicate, lace-panelled knitted shrug designed by Marie Wallin and published by Rowan. Available as a downloadable PDF, this pattern creates an elegant, lightweight wrap-style garment that sits across the shoulders and upper arms — perfect for layering over eveningwear or adding a refined finishing touch to any outfit. The design is rated intermediate in difficulty, making it an ideal project for knitters who are comfortable with basic lace techniques and are ready to take their skills a step further.

Garment Overview

The Gossamer Shrug is worked as a single rectangular or shaped panel that wraps around the body, with the fabric transitioning from smooth stockinette stitch into an intricate lace pattern section. The shrug is sized to fit two bust measurements:

• S-M: to fit bust 81–97 cm (32–38 in)
• L-XL: to fit bust 102–117 cm (40–46 in)

The finished piece has a graceful, gossamer-like quality — entirely in keeping with its name — achieved through the combination of an airy lace stitch pattern and the famously halo-rich yarn used throughout.

Construction and Techniques

The shrug begins with a section worked in stocking stitch (stockinette), building a smooth, plain fabric for approximately 48 cm for the smaller size or 56 cm for the larger size. This plain section forms the body of the shrug before the decorative lace panel is introduced.

Once the stocking stitch section is complete, the knitter transitions into a five-row repeating lace pattern, which is set and then maintained throughout the remainder of the piece. The lace pattern is worked over a specific stitch multiple and involves careful attention to stitch placement across right-side rows, with wrong-side rows purled throughout. Shaping is worked simultaneously with the lace pattern — decreasing one stitch at each end of designated rows — requiring the knitter to keep the pattern correct while managing the shaping, which is the primary source of the intermediate difficulty rating.

Stitches Used

• Stocking stitch (st st): Knit on right-side rows, purl on wrong-side rows — forms the plain introductory section of the shrug
• K2tog (knit two together): A right-leaning decrease used throughout the lace pattern to create the characteristic leaf or eyelet shapes
• Sl 1, K1, psso (slip one, knit one, pass slipped stitch over): A left-leaning decrease that pairs with K2tog to create symmetrical lace motifs
• Yfwd (yarn forward): Creates a deliberate yarn-over eyelet, forming the open, airy holes that define the lace design
• Standard knit and purl stitches used throughout to frame and balance the lace repeats

Lace Pattern Detail

The lace is worked over a five-row sequence, with right-side rows carrying the patterned stitches and every alternate (wrong-side) row purled plain. The pattern rows shift the position of the lace motif slightly with each row, creating a flowing, diagonal or leaf-like visual effect across the fabric. The repeat is structured around groups of stitches separated by yarn-forward increases and paired decreases, producing an open, feathery texture that is beautifully enhanced by the halo of the chosen yarn.

Materials

Yarn

The pattern calls for Rowan Kidsilk Haze, one of Rowan's most celebrated lace-weight yarns. This yarn is a luxurious blend of kid mohair and silk, known for its extraordinary softness, subtle sheen, and the distinctive halo that surrounds each strand. It is sold in 25 g balls, and the Gossamer Shrug requires:

• 3 balls for size S-M
• 4 balls for size L-XL

The sample garment shown in the pattern is photographed in Cream 634, a