Fallen Leaves

Fallen Leaves Knitted Shawl by Justyna Lorkowska

What Is Being Made

Fallen Leaves is a knitted shawl designed by Justyna Lorkowska, available as a downloadable PDF pattern. This triangular shawl measures approximately 88.5 inches (225 cm) wide and 25.5 inches (65 cm) long to the bottom point, making it a generous wrap-style accessory suitable for layering or draping. The shawl is worked in one size and is classified as a beginner-level knitting project, making it accessible to newer knitters while still offering interesting stitch work and construction techniques.

Techniques Used

The Fallen Leaves shawl employs several fundamental knitting techniques that build foundational skills. The pattern utilizes the Cable Cast On method to begin the shawl, which involves inserting the right-hand needle between the first two stitches on the left-hand needle, wrapping yarn, and transferring the newly created stitch back onto the left-hand needle. This cast-on method creates a sturdy, decorative edge suitable for shawl construction. The shawl body is worked primarily in garter stitch, a classic knitting stitch that creates a textured, reversible fabric by knitting every row. Cable stitches are also incorporated into the pattern, requiring the use of cable needles to create twisted, rope-like textures throughout the design. Blocking is an essential finishing technique for this project, helping to set the stitches and achieve the proper finished measurements.

Stitches Used

• Cable Cast On: A foundational cast-on technique that creates a strong, flexible edge by working between existing stitches
• Garter Stitch: The primary stitch used for the shawl body, created by knitting every row to produce a bumpy, textured fabric
• Cable Stitches: Decorative twisted stitches created by crossing groups of stitches over one another using cable needles, adding visual interest and dimension to the finished piece

Materials and Tools

The Fallen Leaves shawl is designed to showcase two beautiful luxury yarns from Martin's Lab, both in 4-ply weight. The first yarn is Tibetan Singles (65% merino, 20% silk, 15% yak; 525 yards/480 meters at 120 grams), worked in the colorway Dry Leaves. The second yarn is Silky Mohair (72% mohair, 28% silk; 458 yards/420 meters at 50 grams), used in the colorway Memories. One skein of each yarn is required to complete the project. The pattern calls for US 3 (3.25 mm) circular needles for the shawl body and US 4 (3.5 mm) circular needles for the shawl border, allowing for subtle gauge adjustments between sections. Additional notions include 2 cable needles for working cable stitches, a stitch marker for tracking pattern repeats, a tapestry needle for weaving in ends, and blocking wires and pins for finishing. The recommended gauge is 20 stitches and 40 rows to 4 inches (10 cm) on US 3 needles in garter stitch after blocking.