Layla Shawl

Layla Shawl by Emily J. Designs

What is Being Made

The Layla Shawl is a lace-patterned triangular shawl designed by Emily J. Designs. This finished piece measures 24 inches deep and 66 inches wide (61cm x 168.5cm), making it a generous wrap suitable for layering or draping across the shoulders. The shawl features an eye-catching lace texture that creates visual interest through strategic increases and decreases throughout the construction.

Construction Method

The Layla Shawl is knit sidewise, meaning the knitter works from one end to the other horizontally rather than from the top down or bottom up. This construction approach allows the bottom edge to be shaped organically through increases and decreases worked into the pattern, creating the triangular silhouette. This sideways method is a popular technique in shawl design as it produces elegant shaping and allows for intuitive stitch placement.

Knitting Techniques and Stitches Used

This intermediate-level project employs several fundamental knitting techniques to achieve its lace pattern and shaping:

• Stockinette stitch – The base stitch used to establish gauge and form the fabric foundation
• Lace stitches – Created through strategic yarn overs and decreases to form decorative holes and texture
• Increases – Kf&b (knit into the front and back of a stitch) is used to add stitches and shape the shawl's expanding width
• Decreases – Multiple decrease techniques including k2tog (knit two stitches together), ssk (slip, slip, knit), and sk2p (slip 1, knit 2 together, pass slipped stitch over) create the lace pattern and manage stitch count
• Stitch markers – Used to track pattern repeats and construction sections
• Lifelines – The pattern recommends running a lifeline after each section as a safety measure, allowing the knitter to easily recover if mistakes occur

Yarn and Materials

The Layla Shawl requires 3 skeins of Berroco Remix yarn, a worsted-weight fiber. Each skein contains 216 yards (198 meters) and weighs 3.5 ounces (100 grams). This yarn blend combines 30% nylon, 27% cotton, 24% acrylic, 10% silk, and 9% linen, creating a durable yet elegant fabric with excellent drape. The sample shown in the pattern is knit in Berroco Remix colorway #3971 Cameo Pink. The fiber content provides both structure and softness, making it ideal for a lace shawl that will be worn close to the skin.

Needles and Gauge

The Layla Shawl is worked on US 8 (5mm) needles, and knitters may choose between straight or circular needles based on personal preference. The pattern specifies a gauge of 17 stitches and 23 rows measured over 4 inches (10 centimeters) in stockinette stitch. Achieving proper gauge is essential for obtaining the finished dimensions and ensuring the lace pattern displays correctly. Two stitch markers are required as notions to assist with pattern tracking throughout construction.

Difficulty Level

Rated as intermediate, the Layla Shawl is suitable for knitters with foundational skills who are ready to tackle lace patterning and shaping techniques. The sideways construction and combination of increases, decreases, and lace stitches require attention to detail and pattern reading ability, making this an excellent project for developing advanced knitting skills.