Elm

Elm Shawls by Allison Jane

Overview

Elm is a collection of two elegant knitted shawls designed by Allison Jane. This downloadable PDF pattern offers knitters the opportunity to create luxurious, wearable accessories using brioche stitch techniques. The collection includes two distinct versions: a grey shawl and a magenta shawl, each with unique yardage requirements and finished dimensions.

What Is Being Made

The Elm pattern features two triangular or crescent-shaped shawls designed for intermediate knitters. The grey shawl measures approximately 72 inches [178 centimeters] in length, while the magenta shawl is slightly larger at approximately 86 inches [218 centimeters] in length. Both shawls are constructed using brioche stitch, a textured knitting technique that creates a reversible, elastic fabric with distinctive horizontal ridges and visual depth.

Knitting Techniques

The Elm shawls utilize brioche stitch as the primary construction method. Brioche stitch is an advanced intermediate technique that involves slipping stitches and knitting into yarn overs from the previous row, creating a luxurious, squishy fabric with excellent drape. This technique produces a reversible textile suitable for shawls and wraps.

The pattern incorporates decreases to shape the shawl, specifically using BrLsl (left-leaning brioche decrease) and BrRsl (right-leaning brioche decrease). These decreases are executed by slipping one stitch knitwise, brioche knitting the next two stitches together, and passing the slipped stitch over, reducing two stitches in the process. Stitch markers are used throughout to help track pattern repeats and shaping sections.

Stitches Used

• Brioche stitch (primary construction stitch)
• BrLsl (left-leaning brioche decrease)
• BrRsl (right-leaning brioche decrease)
• Slip 1 knitwise
• Brioche knit decrease (brk next 2 stitches together)
• Pass slipped stitch over (psso)

Materials and Yarn Requirements

Grey Shawl: The grey version calls for Queensland Collection United yarn in the colorway Dove. This fingering/sock weight yarn is a blend of 55% wool and 45% cotton, offering a lightweight yet durable fiber content. The pattern requires 4 balls (approximately 900 yards [825 meters] total). Knitters may substitute any fingering or sock weight yarn with similar yardage and characteristics.

Magenta Shawl: The magenta version uses Brown Sheep Prairie Spun yarn in the colorway Coneflower. This is a 100% wool DK weight yarn, providing warmth and elasticity ideal for brioche stitch. The pattern requires 4 skeins (approximately 1000 yards total). Knitters may substitute any DK weight yarn with comparable yardage.

Needles and Notions

Needles: The grey shawl is worked on US size 6 [4 mm] needles, while the magenta shawl uses US size 8 [5 mm] needles. Both versions can be worked on either one 24-inch [60-centimeter] circular needle or a set of straight needles, allowing knitters flexibility based on their preference and available tools.

Additional Notions: Knitters will need stitch markers to track pattern sections, stitch holders or scrap yarn for holding stitches during construction, and a tapestry needle for weaving in ends and finishing the shawl.

Gauge

Grey Shawl: 20 stitches and 50 rows measure 4 inches [10 centimeters] in brioche stitch.

Magenta Shawl: 19 stitches and 42 rows measure 4 inches [10 centimeters] in brioche stitch.

Achieving proper gauge is essential for obtaining the correct finished dimensions. Knitters should swatch in brioche stitch before beginning their chosen shawl version to ensure their tension matches the pattern specifications.

Difficulty Level

Both Elm shawls are rated as intermediate difficulty. While brioche stitch requires familiarity with slipping stitches and yarn overs