Brookside Shawl

Brookside Shawl by Emily Wood

What Is Being Made

The Brookside Shawl is an asymmetrical triangular knit shawl designed by Emily Wood. This advanced-level knitting project features a generous wingspan of 60.5 inches (153.5 cm) with a maximum depth of 25.5 inches (65 cm), making it a substantial accessory suitable for layering or wrapping. The shawl's design showcases spinning pinwheel motifs that dance across the fabric, creating visual interest and movement throughout the piece.

Design Features and Construction

This shawl combines both lace and cable knitting techniques to create its distinctive aesthetic. The asymmetrical triangular shape allows for versatile styling options, and the optional seed bead embellishment adds an extra dimension of elegance for crafters who wish to include this decorative detail. The finished shawl is worked from the top down, a common construction method for triangular shawls that allows knitters to try on the piece as it grows and adjust the final size as needed.

Knitting Techniques and Stitches

The Brookside Shawl employs several advanced knitting techniques appropriate for experienced crafters:

• Lace stitches: Created through yarn overs (yo) and knit two together decreases (k2tog), these openwork sections create the delicate, flowing aesthetic
• Cable stitches: Worked with cable needles to create textured, twisted stitch patterns that complement the lace elements
• Stockinette stitch: The base stitch used throughout, providing structure and a smooth canvas for the decorative elements
• Increases: Knit front and back (kfb) increases are used to shape the shawl and create the asymmetrical triangular silhouette
• Optional beading: Seed beads can be added using a 1.25 mm crochet hook for additional embellishment

Yarn and Materials

The Brookside Shawl requires 800 yards (731.5 meters) of fingering weight yarn. The sample shown in the pattern was knitted using SweetGeorgia Yarns Tough Love Sock, a durable superwash merino and nylon blend (80% superwash merino, 20% nylon) in the colorway Dried Lavender, which required 2 skeins of the 425-yard (388-meter) per 4-ounce (115-gram) skein weight.

Additional materials needed include US size 3 (3.25 mm) circular needles measuring at least 24 inches (60 cm) in length, 2 cable needles for cable work, a yarn needle for weaving in ends, and optionally 55 grams of 6/0 seed beads with a 1.25 mm crochet hook (or smaller) for the beading technique.

Gauge and Sizing

The pattern specifies a gauge of 26 stitches by 36 rows per 4 inches (10 cm) in Stockinette Stitch after blocking. The pattern notes that exact gauge is not critical but will affect both the finished size of the completed shawl and the total amount of yarn required. Knitters working at a slightly different gauge will still achieve a beautiful finished piece, though dimensions may vary accordingly.

Difficulty Level

Classified as an advanced knitting project, the Brookside Shawl is best suited for experienced knitters who are comfortable with cable stitches, lace techniques, and reading complex stitch patterns. The combination of multiple stitch types and the optional beading embellishment require strong foundational knitting skills and attention to detail.