Cornflower

Cornflower Shawl by Stella Ackroyd

What is Being Made

The Cornflower is a knitted lace shawl designed by Stella Ackroyd. This is a triangular shawl that measures approximately 122 cm (48 inches) wide by 61 cm (24 inches) deep when blocked. The shawl is worked from a small cast-on edge and expands outward through increases and lace patterning, making it an elegant accessory suitable for various occasions.

Craft and Construction Method

This project uses the knitting craft, worked on circular needles in the round and flat. The shawl is constructed by casting on a minimal number of stitches and working backwards and forwards in rows. The construction begins with a garter stitch tab, a common technique for securing the initial edge and providing a neat foundation. Stitches are then picked up along the row-end edges and cast-on edge to establish the working stitches for the main body of the shawl.

Stitches and Techniques Used

The Cornflower shawl employs several fundamental and intermediate knitting techniques:

• Garter stitch – used for the initial tab, created by knitting every row
• Lace pattern – the primary stitch pattern throughout the main body, incorporating yarn-overs and decreases to create openwork
• Yarn forward (yfwd) – creates the eyelet holes characteristic of lace knitting
• Slip stitch and pass slipped stitch over (psso) – used for decreases that maintain stitch count while shaping the lace
• Knit and purl stitches – the foundational stitches that form the fabric
• Picking up stitches – a technique used to establish new stitches along existing edges
• Through back of loops (tbl) – a variation that twists stitches for specific effects
• Two-needle lace cast-on method – a specialized cast-on technique for lace projects

Difficulty Level

This shawl is rated as intermediate difficulty, making it suitable for knitters with some experience. While the lace pattern requires attention to stitch placement and yarn-over positioning, the repetitive nature of lace patterning becomes intuitive with practice. The use of markers to track key stitches helps manage the expanding construction.

Materials Required

The Cornflower shawl is designed to be worked in lace weight yarn. The pattern calls for 1 x 50 gram skein of yarn, as demonstrated in the photographed version using Yarntelier Cashmere Lace in shade 103 Ripple. An 80 cm (approximately 32 inch) circular needle in size 4mm (US 6) is required for working the shawl. Circular needles accommodate the increasing stitch count as the shawl expands, and the length allows for comfortable manipulation of the growing fabric.

Gauge and Finished Dimensions

The pattern specifies a tension of 24 stitches and 36 rows to 10 cm (4 inches) measured over the lace pattern using a 4mm (US 6) circular needle. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for obtaining the intended finished dimensions and drape of the shawl. The blocked shawl measures approximately 122 cm (48 inches) in width and 61 cm (24 inches) in depth, creating a generous triangular shape suitable for draping around the shoulders.