Zen Rain Shawlette

Zen Rain Shawlette by Michele Bernstein

Project Overview

The Zen Rain Shawlette is a wide, shallow ruffled scarf designed by Michele Bernstein and inspired by rain running down a window. This knitting project creates a luxurious accessory that measures 52 inches wide by 9 inches deep before blocking, expanding to 60 inches wide and 13 inches deep after blocking. The shawlette is designed to use most or all of a 100 gram, 420 yard skein of luxury fingering weight yarn, making it an efficient use of premium yarn.

Craft and Techniques

This is an advanced-level knitting project that employs a rhythmic, meditative knitting pattern. The construction features a ruffled edge design, with knitters given the option to create either an extravagant ruffle or a more sedate ruffle depending on personal preference. The repetitive stitch pattern creates what the designer describes as a zen knitting experience, making this project as enjoyable to knit as it is to wear.

Stitches and Construction

The Zen Rain Shawlette is worked primarily in stockinette stitch, which forms the foundation of this shallow, wide shawl. The gauge is 6 stitches per inch in stockinette stitch before blocking, which is typical for fingering weight yarn. The ruffled construction adds visual interest and movement to the finished piece.

Materials and Tools

• Yarn: Knitted Wit Bling fingering weight yarn (100g/420 yards) or comparable luxury fingering weight yarn. The original design features Knitted Wit Bling in a cloudy sky gray colorway, which contains 63% wool, 20% silk, 15% nylon, and 2% silver for subtle shimmer.
• Needles: US size 6 (4 mm) circular needle, 32 inches in length, or the size needed to obtain the specified gauge.
• Notions: Stitch markers and a tapestry needle for sewing in ends.

Finished Dimensions

Before blocking, the Zen Rain Shawlette measures 52 inches wide by 9 inches deep. After blocking, the shawlette expands to 60 inches wide and 13 inches deep, demonstrating the transformative effect of blocking on the final dimensions and drape of the finished garment.