Twist Collective Damhsa PDF

Twist Collective Damhsa Knit Shawl by Ciara Ní Reachtnín

What is Being Made

Damhsa is a triangular knit shawl designed by Ciara Ní Reachtnín for Twist Collective. This downloadable PDF pattern creates a versatile wrap available in three finished sizes: 18 inches (45.5 cm), 23 inches (58.5 cm), or 28 inches (71 cm) radius. The shawl is worked flat and shaped into a triangular silhouette, making it an elegant accessory suitable for various occasions and skill levels.

Construction and Techniques

Damhsa employs several advanced knitting techniques to create visual interest and structure. The shawl is worked from side to side, a construction method that allows for seamless shaping and unique stitch pattern placement. The primary shaping technique uses short row garter stripe wedges, which create dimensional texture and help form the triangular shape without requiring seaming.

A distinctive design feature is the dancing single colour slip-stitch cable that runs along the edge from the center to the furthest point of the shawl. This cable pattern can be worked either from written instructions or from a chart, providing flexibility for different learning preferences. Garter stitch borders bookend the shawl, framing the design and adding stability to the edges. The shawl is completed with a simple crochet edge, which provides a polished finish.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

• Garter stitch: Used for the border sections, creating a reversible, textured fabric
• Short rows: Employed to shape the wedges and create the triangular silhouette
• Slip-stitch cables: A decorative cable technique worked in a contrasting colour along the shawl edge
• Stripes: Created through the garter stripe wedges and colour changes

Yarn and Materials

The pattern is designed for 4-ply weight yarn, a versatile weight that produces drape and definition in stitch patterns. The suggested yarn is Malabrigo Sock, a superwash merino wool blend offering 440 yards (402 meters) per 100-gram hank. The pattern calls for 1 to 2 skeins depending on size selection: one skein in the main colour (MC) and one skein in a contrasting colour (CC). The sample shown uses Malabrigo Sock in #37 Lettuce for the main colour and #857 Light of Love for the contrasting colour.

The pattern notes that Damhsa works beautifully with semi-solid yarns but can also be striking with gradient or speckled yarns for the background colour. The design accommodates yarn carrying along the edge during colour changes, eliminating the need to cut yarn between transitions. When changing colours, the pattern instructs knitters to take the new colour over the old to create a neat, professional edge.

Design Considerations

The side-to-side construction combined with short row shaping creates a unique knitting experience that differs from top-down or bottom-up approaches. The slip-stitch cable feature adds visual movement and interest, justifying the pattern's name "Damhsa," which suggests a dancing quality. The garter stitch borders provide a sturdy frame and help the shawl maintain its shape, while the crochet edge offers a refined finishing touch suitable for gifting or personal wear.