Glorious Morning

Glorious Morning Lace Shawl

What Is Being Made

Glorious Morning is a top-down knitted lace shawl designed by Becky Herrick of Sugar Tree Designs. This intermediate-level shawl features a generous wingspan of 60 inches (152.5 cm) with a depth of 24 inches (61 cm), making it a substantial wrap suitable for layering or draping. The design draws inspiration from Shakespeare's 33rd sonnet and evokes the visual imagery of grain growing in a summer field through its lace patterning.

Construction and Techniques

The shawl employs a top-down construction method, meaning knitters begin at the top and work progressively downward to the finished edge. A distinctive feature of this design is that patterning appears on both the right and wrong sides, creating visual interest whether the shawl is worn with the front or back facing outward. This two-sided patterning technique adds complexity and elegance to the finished piece.

The gauge for this project is 34 stitches and 40 rows per 4-inch (10 cm) square when worked in the Waves of Grain lace pattern. However, the designer notes that gauge is not critical for this shawl, allowing knitters flexibility to choose a needle size that produces their preferred fabric drape and hand-feel rather than adhering strictly to gauge specifications.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The primary stitch pattern used throughout this shawl is the Waves of Grain lace pattern, which creates the field-inspired aesthetic central to the design. Lace knitting typically incorporates yarn overs and decreases to form openwork designs, and this pattern's name suggests undulating, wave-like motifs reminiscent of grain movement in wind.

Materials and Specifications

Yarn: The recommended yarn is Woolly Wonka Thalia lace in the colorway Summer Fields. This yarn is composed of 80% merino wool and 20% silk, offering a luxurious blend that provides both warmth and sheen. One skein contains 1200 yards of yarn, though the shawl requires approximately 900 yards, leaving some yardage for finishing or experimentation.

Needles and Notions: Construction requires US2 (2.75 mm) circular needles measuring 32 inches or longer to accommodate the increasing stitch count as the shawl expands. Additional notions include 6 stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and a tapestry needle for weaving in ends upon completion.

Yarn Weight Classification: Woolly Wonka Thalia is classified as a lace-weight yarn, the finest standard yarn weight category. Lace-weight yarns typically produce delicate, drapey fabrics ideal for shawlettes and wraps, allowing the intricate lace patterns to display clearly while maintaining an airy, lightweight garment.

Difficulty Level

This pattern is rated as intermediate difficulty, making it suitable for knitters who have mastered basic techniques and are ready to tackle lace knitting with its yarn overs and decreases. The two-sided patterning and top-down construction require attention to detail and pattern reading skills, though the flexible gauge requirement provides some room for adjustment.