Lavender Lake

Lavender Lake Knit Shawl by Intuitive Knit Designs

Project Overview

Lavender Lake is an intermediate-level knit shawl pattern designed by Intuitive Knit Designs. This downloadable PDF pattern creates a sophisticated triangular shawl measuring 39 inches long and 30 inches at its widest point after blocking, making it an elegant accessory suitable for layering or draping.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a single knit shawl with a triangular silhouette. The finished dimensions of 39 inches in length and 30 inches at the widest point create a versatile wrap that can be worn as a shoulder shawl, neck wrap, or decorative layer. The design uses a two-color construction with a main color and contrasting color yarn.

Yarn Requirements and Materials

The Lavender Lake shawl uses 4-ply weight yarn in a two-color colorway combination:

• Main Color (MC): Ancient Arts Socknado in "Kismet" - 290 meters (318 yards) required from a 100g/3.5 oz skein containing 350 meters (385 yards)
• Contrasting Color (CC): Ancient Arts Socknado in "Roaring Twenties" - 175 meters (192 yards) required from a 100g/3.5 oz skein containing 350 meters (385 yards)

Note: Yarn yardage requirements may vary based on individual knitting tension, needle size selection, and personal knitting techniques.

Needles and Notions

This pattern requires a 3.75 mm (US 5) circular needle measuring 32 inches (81 cm) in length, or the size needed to achieve proper gauge. Additional notions include a cable needle for cable stitch work and a tapestry needle for weaving in yarn ends during finishing.

Gauge and Tension

The pattern is worked to a gauge of 28 stitches and 36 rows over 4 inches (10 cm) in stocking stitch. Achieving proper gauge is essential for obtaining the correct finished measurements and shawl proportions.

Knitting Techniques and Stitches

Lavender Lake incorporates cable knitting techniques, making it suitable for intermediate-level knitters with experience in cable work. The pattern uses the following specialized stitches and techniques:

• C3B (Cable 3 Back): Slip the next two stitches onto a cable needle and hold at the back of work, knit one stitch from the left-hand needle, then knit the two stitches from the cable needle
• C3F (Cable 3 Front): Slip the next stitch onto a cable needle and hold at the front of work, knit two stitches from the left-hand needle, then knit one stitch from the cable needle
• Stocking Stitch: The primary fabric construction using knit and purl stitches in alternating rows
• Slip Stitch (sl): Stitches slipped purl-wise to create clean edges and transitions
• Decrease Stitches (ssk): Slip-slip-knit decreases created by slipping two stitches knit-wise and knitting them together
• Cast On (CO): Initial stitch setup for beginning the shawl

Pattern Structure

The shawl construction uses a circular needle for working flat in rows, which is a common technique for larger garments and accessories. The cable motifs create visual interest and texture throughout the design, while the two-color yarn combination adds depth and dimension to the finished piece.

Finishing and Blocking

The finished measurements provided (39 inches long and 30 inches at widest point) are achieved after blocking, which is an important finishing step for shawls. Blocking helps even out stitches, opens up cable work, and sets the final shape and drape of the garment.