Dark Forest Shawl

Dark Forest Shawl by BiggerthanlifeKnits

What is Being Made

The Dark Forest Shawl is a triangular knitted shawl designed by Noma Ndlovu, featuring a finished wingspan of 68 inches (173 centimeters) and a height of 17 inches (43 centimeters) excluding fringe. This intermediate-level knitting project combines a spacious, wearable design with decorative colorwork and textured edging, making it suitable for knitters with some experience who are ready to explore beyond basic techniques.

Techniques Used

The Dark Forest Shawl employs several distinct knitting techniques to create visual interest and structure. The main body of the shawl is worked in garter stitch, a fundamental and meditative stitch that creates a textured, reversible fabric. This straightforward stitch is complemented by basic mosaic stitches, which use slipped stitches and color changes to create geometric patterns without the complexity of fair isle or intarsia knitting. The applied border features a Celtic cable, a more advanced stitch pattern that adds sophisticated texture and visual depth to the shawl's edges. The border is finished with a looped fringe, providing both decorative flair and movement to the completed piece.

Stitches Used

• Garter stitch (main body)
• Mosaic stitches (colorwork sections)
• Celtic cable (applied border)
• Looped fringe (edge finish)

Materials and Specifications

The Dark Forest Shawl is designed to be knitted in DK weight yarn, a medium-weight yarn that provides excellent stitch definition while remaining quick to work. The pattern calls for approximately 600 yards total yardage, divided between two colors: a main color in green and a contrast color in brown. The recommended yarn is African Expressions - Joy, a blend of 40% superwash wool, 45% acrylic, and 15% mohair, available in 50-gram skeins with approximately 100 meters (109 yards) per skein. This fiber blend offers durability, easy care, and a subtle sheen.

Knitting is worked on US 7 (4.5 millimeter) circular needles measuring 32 inches (80 centimeters) long, which accommodate the shawl's expanding width as the triangular shape develops. Additional tools required include a yarn needle for weaving in ends and a cable needle for working the Celtic cable border. The pattern specifies a gauge of 20 stitches and 36 rows in garter stitch over 4 inches (10 centimeters), which is essential for achieving the intended finished dimensions.