Perseverance

Perseverance Knit Shawl by Sharon Mooney

What Is Being Made

Perseverance is a block shawl pattern designed by Sharon Mooney, available as a downloadable PDF. This intermediate-level knitting project creates a generous triangular shawl with substantial dimensions: approximately 77 inches (195.6 cm) along the bottom edge, 59 inches (149.9 cm) along the top edge, 24 inches (61 cm) deep at the center, and 19 inches (48.2 cm) deep at the outer edges. The finished shawl offers versatile styling options for wrapping and layering.

Yarn and Materials

The Perseverance shawl pattern calls for approximately four skeins of Rowan Alpaca Soft DK yarn. This premium blend combines Extra Fine Merino Wool with Baby Alpaca fibers, creating a luxuriously soft and drape-friendly fabric. Each skein contains 137 yards (125 meters) and weighs 1.75 ounces (50 grams). The specified colorway is Rowan Alpaca Soft DK in color 00207. The DK weight yarn provides excellent stitch definition while remaining lightweight and breathable.

Needles and Notions

This pattern requires two sizes of circular knitting needles. A 32-inch (80 cm) size US 10 (6 mm) circular needle is used exclusively for casting on, while a 32-inch (80 cm) size US 9 (5.5 mm) circular needle serves as the primary working needle throughout the shawl construction. Additional notions include 15 stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and shaping, plus a yarn needle or large embroidery needle for weaving in ends after binding off.

Gauge and Finished Dimensions

The pattern specifies a gauge of 4.5 stitches and 6 rows per 1 inch (2.5 cm) measured over stockinette stitch on flat gauge, worked using size US 9 (5.5 mm) knitting needles before blocking. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for obtaining the intended finished dimensions. Blocking is recommended to open up the lace elements and even out the fabric, allowing the shawl to reach its full potential in drape and elegance.

Knitting Techniques and Stitches

The Perseverance shawl employs fundamental knitting techniques suitable for intermediate-level knitters. The pattern utilizes stockinette stitch as the primary fabric base, created by alternating knit and purl rows when working flat. Key decreasing techniques include K2tog (knit 2 stitches together), which reduces stitch count and creates shaping throughout the shawl. The pattern incorporates increases and decreases strategically to form the triangular block shawl silhouette. Stitch markers are essential for tracking pattern repeats and maintaining shaping consistency across the multiple sections of the design.

Pattern Structure

The block shawl construction method allows knitters to work the shawl in manageable sections, building from the top downward or in another logical sequence. This approach makes the pattern accessible for intermediate knitters while creating visual interest through the block divisions. The use of increases and decreases throughout the pattern creates the characteristic triangular shape, with the wider bottom edge providing maximum coverage and the narrower top edge fitting comfortably at the shoulders or neck.

Design Details

Perseverance is pattern number K669 and is protected by copyright ©2020 Sharon E. Mooney, All Rights Reserved. The pattern is formatted as a downloadable PDF document, making it convenient for digital access and printing. The intermediate difficulty level indicates that knitters should be comfortable with basic stitches, shaping techniques, and reading pattern instructions before beginning this project.