Jazz Age Shawlette

Jazz Age Shawlette by Shannon Squire

What Is Being Made

The Jazz Age Shawlette is a triangular knitted shawl designed by Shannon Squire. This versatile accessory measures 66 inches from tip to tip with a center depth of 10.5 inches after blocking, making it a generous wrap suitable for layering over shoulders or wearing as a decorative shawlette. The design is labeled as advanced beginner skill level, making it accessible to knitters with some experience who are ready to expand their technique repertoire.

Knitting Techniques and Stitches

The Jazz Age Shawlette incorporates multiple knitting techniques to create visual interest and structure. The pattern utilizes both garter stitch and stockinette stitch throughout the design, allowing knitters to practice fundamental stitch patterns while building a sophisticated finished piece. Cable work is featured in this design, requiring the use of a cable needle to create twisted stitch patterns characteristic of the Jazz Age aesthetic. The shawlette is worked flat on straight needles rather than in the round, simplifying construction for intermediate knitters.

Yarn and Materials

The Jazz Age Shawlette requires 300 to 400 yards of worsted- or aran/chunky-weight yarn. The designer used two skeins of Knitted Wit Worsted Superwash Merino in the colorway Tugboat for the original sample. This yardage range accommodates different yarn weights, with worsted weight requiring approximately US 8 (5mm) needles and aran/chunky weight requiring US 11 (9mm) needles, or whatever size is necessary to achieve proper gauge. Essential notions include a cable needle for cable work, a stitch marker for tracking pattern repeats, and a tapestry needle for weaving in ends.

Gauge and Construction

Achieving proper gauge is essential for this project and should be measured after blocking. For worsted weight yarn, the pattern calls for 16 stitches over 4 inches in garter stitch or 20 stitches over 4 inches in stockinette stitch. For aran/chunky weight yarn, the gauge is 12 stitches over 4 inches in garter stitch or 15 stitches over 4 inches in stockinette stitch. Blocking is a critical finishing step that helps the shawlette reach its full finished dimensions and allows the stitch definition to fully develop.