Positive Thoughts #1

Positive Thoughts #1 Lace Shawl by yellowcosmo

What Is Being Made

Positive Thoughts #1 is a customizable lace shawl pattern designed by Connie Peng of yellowcosmo designs. This knitted shawl offers flexibility in construction, allowing crafters to adjust the number of pattern repeats to create either a small or large finished piece. The small version measures 62 inches wide by 26 inches tall, while the large version measures 80 inches wide. This design approach makes the pattern adaptable to individual preferences and yarn availability.

Knitting Techniques and Construction

Positive Thoughts #1 employs lace knitting techniques to create an elegant, openwork design. The shawl is worked in stockinette stitch as the base fabric, with lace patterning integrated throughout. The customizable repeat structure allows knitters to expand or reduce the shawl dimensions by working additional or fewer pattern repeats, making this an intermediate-level project suitable for knitters with foundational skills and experience reading lace charts.

The pattern requires blocking after completion to achieve the correct finished measurements and to fully open up the lace stitches, which is a standard finishing technique for lace shawls that enhances drape and definition of the openwork elements.

Stitches and Stitch Details

The primary stitch structure is stockinette stitch, which provides a smooth foundation for the lace pattern elements. Lace stitches are incorporated throughout the design to create the characteristic openwork aesthetic. The gauge is 17 stitches by 33 rows over a 4-inch by 4-inch square in stockinette stitch after blocking, which is typical for fingering and sport weight yarns.

Yarn and Materials

For the Small Shawl: 437 yards of yarn in a 3-ply or 4-ply weight. The pattern recommends either Cascade Heritage Silk (85% Superwash Merino, 15% Mulberry Silk) or Cascade Heritage Solid (75% Superwash Merino, 25% Nylon). One skein is required.

For the Large Shawl: 656 yards of yarn, requiring 2 skeins of the same yarn options. The pattern samples shown feature Cascade Heritage Silk in Cerulean for the small shawl and Cascade Heritage in Mustard for the large shawl, demonstrating how different colorways can affect the finished appearance.

Needles: US #6 / 4.0 mm circular needles in 32-inch length, or adjust needle size as needed to obtain the specified gauge of 17 stitches by 33 rows per 4 inches.

Additional Notions: Two stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and a tapestry needle for weaving in yarn ends after completion.

Yarn Weight Specifications

This pattern is designed for 3-ply and 4-ply yarn weights, which are fingering and sport weight categories respectively. These lighter yarn weights create the delicate, elegant drape characteristic of lace shawls and allow the intricate stitch definition to be clearly visible in the finished piece.