Shawllinn

Shawllinn Knitted Shawl by Susanne Sommer

What Is Being Made

Shawllinn is a deep triangular shawl designed by Susanne Sommer and knit in a sideways construction. This intermediate-level knitting project features a sophisticated color-blocking design that combines multiple stitch techniques to create visual depth and movement across the finished piece. The shawl is completed with an i-cord border that provides a neat, finished edge and adds an extra pop of color to the overall design.

Construction and Design Features

The shawl is worked sideways, which allows for the creation of its distinctive structural elements. The main body of Shawllinn showcases wide brioche and garter ribs that work together to create a beautiful two-color fade effect. Intersecting this faded section is a large two-color honeycomb brioche stripe that provides striking contrast and visual interest. The i-cord border frames the entire shawl, giving it a professional and polished appearance.

Knitting Techniques and Stitches

This design employs several key knitting techniques that contribute to its intermediate difficulty level:

• Brioche Knitting: Both the wide brioche and garter ribs and the honeycomb brioche stripe require brioche knitting skills. This technique creates a stretchy, reversible fabric with a distinctive textured appearance.
• Garter Stitch: Combined with brioche ribs to create the fading color sections of the shawl.
• Honeycomb Brioche: A more advanced brioche variation that creates a textured, dimensional pattern.
• I-Cord Border: A classic finishing technique that creates a neat, cord-like edge around the perimeter of the shawl.

Color Planning and Yarn Selection

Shawllinn is designed to be worked with four distinct colors of yarn, each serving a specific purpose in the overall design. Choose two colors that fade or blend together harmoniously for the brioche and garter rib sections—the sample pictured uses blue and purple speckled tones that create a cohesive gradient effect. Select two contrasting colors for the honeycomb brioche stripe to make this feature stand out dramatically; the sample features yellow and pale pink for striking visual contrast.

Yarn and Materials

Shawllinn is knit with 4 ply fingering weight yarn in four separate colors. The sample shown was created using Townhouse Yarns' Fade St 4ply base, which is noted for its silky texture and beautiful color options. The pattern is offered in two size options: a larger original size suited for yarns with generous yardage (like the Townhouse Yarn base used in the sample), and a slightly smaller version for those working with more limited yardage. Knitters will need appropriate needles for 4 ply yarn weight to achieve the correct gauge and fabric characteristics.

Design Background

Shawllinn was created by Susanne Sommer to celebrate Woollinn Yarn Festival 2019 in Dublin, Ireland, making it a special commemorative design for the knitting community.