Asiri

Asiri Shawl by Bérangère Cailliau

What is Being Made

Asiri is a three-tone shawl designed by independent designer Bérangère Cailliau. This intermediate-level knitting project creates a sophisticated triangular or crescent shawl featuring a striking color-work design that combines multiple knitting techniques and stitch patterns to achieve visual depth and textural interest.

Construction Method

The shawl is knitted sideways, a construction technique that allows the knitter to build the piece horizontally across the width rather than from top to bottom. This sideways approach provides flexibility in shaping and makes it easier to manage stitch counts as the shawl expands. The finished piece is edged with an i-cord border, which creates a neat, professional-looking finished edge that frames the entire shawl.

Knitting Techniques and Stitches

Asiri incorporates multiple knitting techniques to create visual interest and texture throughout the design:

• Garter Stitch: Used in alternating sections, garter stitch creates a bumpy, textured fabric that provides structure and visual contrast to other stitch patterns
• Stripes: Color stripes are worked throughout using the three designated yarn colors, creating the distinctive three-tone effect
• Textured Point: A decorative textured motif that adds dimensional interest to the shawl's surface
• Herringbone: A classic stitch pattern that creates a distinctive V-shaped weaving appearance, used as a finishing element before the i-cord border
• I-Cord Border: A tubular knitted cord applied around the perimeter of the shawl for a polished, defined edge

Color Selection and Materials

The pattern recommends choosing a light color for the first color (C1) and a dark color for the second color (C2) to maximize the visual impact of the stripe work and create strong contrast between the tones.

Yarn Requirements: The pattern calls for 4-ply fingering weight yarn totaling approximately 1,094 yards (1,000 meters). Specific yardage includes 437 yards (400 meters) each for two primary colors and 219 yards (200 meters) for the accent color. The pattern references Yarnbysimone MSW, which is 100% merino wool at 437 yards per 100 grams, though any fingering weight yarn of similar yardage and weight can be substituted.

Needles: The project requires 3.5 mm (US size 4) needles, appropriate for working with fingering weight yarn and creating the defined stitches necessary for the textured patterns and color work featured in this design.

Difficulty Level

Asiri is rated as an intermediate knitting project, suitable for knitters with foundational skills who are ready to tackle multiple stitch patterns, color changes, and construction techniques within a single piece. The combination of garter stitch, textured stitches, herringbone, and i-cord finishing provides an engaging project that builds technical confidence.