Stilla

Stilla Shawl by Therese Hedlund

What is Being Made

The Stilla Shawl is a delicate, lightweight triangular shawl designed for knitters seeking an elegant and portable project. With a finished wingspan of 180cm and a maximum width of 60cm, this shawl combines ethereal aesthetics with practical warmth. Despite using less than 50g of yarn, the shawl delivers surprising insulation due to the fluffy nature of the silk mohair blend, making it suitable for layering or draping over the shoulders.

Yarn and Materials

This project requires 390 meters of silk mohair lace yarn in a fingering weight category, specifically a blend of 70% mohair and 30% silk with a yardage of 210m per 25g. The combination of mohair and silk creates a yarn that is both light and insulating, trapping heat effectively despite the open stitch pattern. Knitters will also need 4.5mm (US7) needles and a stitch marker to track the center stitch throughout the pattern.

Knitting Techniques and Stitches

The Stilla Shawl employs fundamental lace knitting techniques that are accessible to intermediate-level knitters. The pattern utilizes a marked center stitch that serves as a visual anchor, simplifying pattern reading and execution. Knitters will work with several core stitches and decreasing methods:

• Knit (k) and purl (p) stitches form the foundational fabric structure
• Yarn overs (yo) create the characteristic open, lacy texture that defines the shawl's delicate appearance
• Knit 2 together (k2tog) decreases for shaping and lace pattern definition
• Slip, slip, knit (ssk) provides a left-leaning decrease that balances the right-leaning k2tog decreases
• Knit 2 together through the back loop (k2togtbl) offers an alternative decrease technique for specific pattern sections

The center stitch is slipped as encountered while maintaining the established pattern, ensuring clean edges and consistent stitch definition. This technique-focused approach allows the yarn's natural luster and texture to become the visual focal point of the finished piece.

Gauge and Finished Dimensions

The pattern specifies a blocked gauge of 15 stitches over 10 centimeters in stocking stitch, measured after blocking. This gauge measurement ensures proper drape and final dimensions of 180cm wingspan by 60cm at the widest point, creating a shawl large enough for versatile styling options while remaining portable and lightweight.