Cordelle

Cordelle Shawl by Corrina Ferguson

What is Being Made

The Cordelle is a side-to-side shawlette featuring a reversible design that showcases a beautiful simple lace pattern on either side. This intermediate-level knitting project creates a luxurious wrap suitable for various styling options, thanks to its generous yardage and soft construction.

Construction Method and Techniques

This shawlette employs a distinctive side-to-side construction method, meaning you cast on at one edge and work horizontally across the width of the piece. The knitted-on lace edging is worked simultaneously as you progress, eliminating the need for a separate finishing step. The pattern is divided into four distinct sections: the set-up section to establish the stitch pattern, the increase section to build width, the decrease section to shape the shawl, and a final decrease section to complete the piece. You begin by casting on two stitches, work until approximately half of your yarn is consumed, then cast off two stitches at the end.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The Cordelle features a simple lace pattern worked throughout the shawl body. The pattern utilizes garter stitch as the foundation, which creates a reversible fabric that looks attractive from both sides. The lace pattern charts are provided on the final page of the pattern document, allowing knitters to follow the motif clearly as they work each section.

Yarn and Needle Requirements

This project calls for 250 grams and 549 yards of Alpaca With A Twist Baby Twist yarn, which is a DK weight yarn. The designer recommends using Size 8 needles (5.0 mm), though she suggests using needles larger than the yarn's standard recommendation to encourage optimal drape in the finished shawlette. The jumbo hanks of Baby Twist contribute to the luxurious and soft qualities of the completed wrap.

Gauge and Blocking

The pattern is designed to work at a gauge of 18 stitches and 26 rows to 4 inches in blocked garter stitch. However, the shawlette can be adapted to work at any gauge, offering flexibility for knitters who may prefer different needle sizes or yarn substitutions. Blocking is recommended to achieve the intended drape and finished dimensions.