Cobalt

Cobalt Shawl by Bérangère Cailliau

What is Being Made

Cobalt is a one-skein knitted shawl project designed by independent designer Bérangère Cailliau. This elegant accessory measures 35cm by 135cm, making it a generous wrap suitable for draping around the shoulders. The shawl is constructed as a beginner-friendly project, accessible to knitters new to shawl construction despite its sophisticated appearance.

Construction Method and Techniques

The Cobalt shawl employs a two-part construction technique that builds the garment in distinct stages. The knitter first works the lace edging, establishing the decorative border that frames the piece. Following the completion of the edging, the main body of the shawl is knitted using short rows, a technique that creates shaping and dimension without requiring increases and decreases across the entire width. This methodical approach allows knitters to manage the project in logical sections.

The short row construction used for the body creates gradual shaping, allowing the shawl to achieve its rectangular proportions while maintaining structural integrity. This technique is particularly effective for creating garments that drape beautifully when worn.

Stitches and Stitch Techniques

The Cobalt pattern incorporates several fundamental and intermediate knitting stitches and techniques:

• Stockinette stitch forms the base fabric, creating a smooth, classic knitted surface
• Lace stitches are used throughout the edging to create openwork detailing characteristic of shawl design
• M1R (Make One Right) increases stitches by picking up the strand between needles and knitting through the front loop
• K2tog (knit two together) decreases stitches by working two stitches as one
• Skp (slip, knit, pass slipped stitch over) creates a left-leaning decrease
• Sk2p (slip, knit two together, pass slipped stitch over) performs a double decrease
• Cable stitches including 4-stitch right cables and 4-stitch left cables add textural interest and visual complexity to the design

Cable techniques involve slipping stitches to a cable needle, holding them either in back or front of the work, and then knitting across before working the held stitches. These techniques create the twisted, rope-like patterns that add sophistication to the finished piece.

Materials and Gauge

The Cobalt shawl is designed as a one-skein project, requiring approximately 400 meters of fingering-weight yarn. The pattern specifies BFL (Blue-Faced Leicester) light fingering yarn from Flying Colors in the colorway Mon Klein, though any fingering-weight yarn of similar yardage and fiber content will produce comparable results.

The recommended gauge is 20 stitches and 35 rows per 10cm by 10cm square when working in stockinette stitch with size 3.5 needles. Achieving proper gauge is essential for obtaining the finished dimensions of 35cm by 135cm.

Needles and Tools

Knitters will need size 3.5 needles as the primary tool for this project. Additional supplies include 2 stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and shaping points, and 1 cable needle for executing the cable stitches that feature throughout the design. These tools are standard in most knitters' collections and enable the execution of the pattern's construction techniques.

Yarn Weight and Difficulty Level

The Cobalt shawl uses 4-ply fingering-weight yarn, a fine gauge that creates delicate, detailed fabric suitable for lace and cable work. Despite the fine yarn and intermediate techniques like cables and short rows, the pattern is classified as beginner-friendly, making it an excellent project for knitters seeking to expand their skills while working with elegant, refined materials.