Climb

Climb Lace and Cable Shawl by Danielle Landes

What Is Being Made

Climb is a lace and cable shawl designed by Danielle Landes as a knitted accessory perfect for breezy summer evenings. This triangular or crescent-shaped shawl combines decorative lace patterns with structured cable work, making it a versatile piece suitable for dressing up any outfit with careful attention to design detail.

Design Features and Construction

The shawl begins with a unique twist on the traditional i-cord cast on method. Rather than being merely a starting edge, this i-cord becomes an integral structural element, forming the center cable of the finished piece. The cast-on ends transform into decorative leaf motifs positioned at both the bottom center and along the outer edges of the shawl, creating a cohesive botanical aesthetic throughout the design.

Knitting Techniques Used

• I-cord cast on: A specialty cast-on method that creates a cord-like edge, which then integrates into the shawl's center cable structure
• Cable work: The center of the shawl features a prominent cable that anchors the overall design
• Lace knitting: Openwork patterns created through strategic yarn overs and decreases to produce the delicate, airy aesthetic
• Leaf motifs: Decorative leaf-shaped elements positioned at multiple points—the bottom center and outer edges
• Slip stitches: Used to create smooth edges and transitions between pattern sections

Stitches and Abbreviations

The pattern employs standard knitting abbreviations including knit (k), purl (p), yarn over (yo), slip (Sl), slip marker (sm), and stitches (sts). Cable techniques are specified with detailed abbreviations such as 6st-RC (slip 3 stitches to cable needle, hold in back, knit 3 stitches from left needle, then knit 3 stitches from cable needle) and 7st-RC (slip 4 stitches to cable needle, hold in back). Additional notation includes LN for left needle, CN for cable needle, and BM for before marker, allowing knitters to follow complex cable crossings and pattern repeats with precision.

Materials

While specific yarn weight and yardage requirements are not detailed in the provided content, this shawl is designed as a summer accessory, suggesting the use of lightweight yarn suitable for warm-weather wear. Knitters will require appropriate needles for their chosen yarn weight and a cable needle for executing the cable crossings throughout the pattern.

Skill Level

Climb is rated as an advanced knitting project, though the designer notes it is suitable for the adventurous beginner. The combination of lace work, cable techniques, and the innovative i-cord integration requires solid foundational knitting skills and comfort with reading complex stitch patterns. Knitters should be confident with yarn overs, cable abbreviations, and maintaining tension across varied stitch types.