Swift Current

Swift Current Knitted Shawl by Josée Paquin

What is Being Made

Swift Current is a fingering-weight knitted shawl designed by Josée Paquin. This intermediate-level knitting project creates a finished shawl measuring 178 centimetres (70 inches) wide and 69 centimetres (27 inches) deep, making it a substantial wrap suitable for layering or wearing as a statement accessory.

Yarn Materials

The shawl requires two yarn colours worked in a fingering-weight yarn, which is a fine, delicate yarn ideal for creating intricate stitch definition. The pattern calls for approximately 560 metres (615 yards) of Main Colour yarn and approximately 320 metres (350 yards) of Contrasting Colour yarn. The sample shown in the pattern was knitted using Sweet Georgia CashLuxe yarn: 2 skeins in the 'sapphire' colourway for the main colour and 1 skein in the 'silver' colourway for contrast.

Needles and Tools

This project requires a 3.75 millimetre (US 5) circular needle to accommodate the width of the shawl. Additional tools needed include a tapestry needle for finishing and 5 stitch markers to track pattern repeats and construction points throughout the knitting process.

Knitting Techniques Used

Swift Current employs several intermediate knitting techniques that add visual interest and shaping to the finished piece:

• Wrap and Turn (w&t): A short-row shaping technique that creates curves and depth without binding off. This method involves slipping stitches purlwise, wrapping yarn around them, and turning the work to knit in the opposite direction, allowing the knitter to add rows in specific sections only.
• Stitch Increases: The pattern uses kfb (knit into the front and back loop of the same stitch), a method that increases one stitch by creating two stitches from one, allowing the shawl to expand gradually.
• Marker Placement: Stitch markers help track pattern repeats and construction points, with instructions to both place markers (pm) and slip markers (sm) as you work.

Stitches and Abbreviations

The pattern uses standard knitting abbreviations and stitches including:

• k = knit stitch
• CO = cast on (creating the foundation stitches)
• BO = bind off (securing stitches at completion)
• st(s) = stitch or stitches
• kfb = knit into front and back loop (increase stitch)
• sl 1 = slip one stitch as if to purl
• w&t = wrap and turn (short-row shaping)

Difficulty Level

Classified as an intermediate knitting project, Swift Current is suitable for knitters with foundational skills who are ready to tackle more complex shaping techniques. The wrap-and-turn short-row method and multi-colour construction require attention to detail and understanding of how these techniques affect the final garment shape.