Holden

Holden Triangular Shawl by Mindy Wilkes

What is Being Made

Holden is a classic top-down triangular shawl designed by Mindy Wilkes. This downloadable knitting pattern creates a sophisticated wrap inspired by the natural movement of waves breaking along the shore. The finished shawl is available in three sizes: Small (49 x 23 inches / 124.5 x 58 cm), Medium (51.5 x 26 inches / 131 x 66 cm), and Large (71 x 32 inches / 180 x 81 cm), making it versatile for different preferences and body types.

Knitting Techniques and Construction

This intermediate-level shawl employs a top-down construction method, which is a popular approach for triangular shawls as it allows knitters to work from the center point outward, gradually increasing stitches to create the triangular shape. The design features wavy lace patterns throughout, creating visual interest and a delicate aesthetic. The shawl is finished with a lovely picot edge, which adds a refined, decorative border that enhances the elegant appearance of the finished piece.

Stitches and Stitch Work

The pattern utilizes fundamental knitting stitches and lace techniques to achieve its wave-inspired design. Key stitches employed include:

• Knit stitch (k) – the basic foundation stitch used throughout
• Purl stitch (p) – used to create texture and pattern variation
• Yarn overs (yo) – essential for creating the lace openings that form the wavy pattern
• Knit two together (k2tog) – a right-leaning decrease used to shape the shawl and create lace effects
• Slip, slip, knit (ssk) – a left-leaning decrease that works in conjunction with other decreases for balanced shaping
• Stockinette stitch – used as the base fabric after blocking, providing a smooth, classic finish

The combination of yarn overs and decreases creates the characteristic lace patterns that give the shawl its wave-like appearance.

Materials and Yarn Requirements

Holden is designed to work with either lace weight or fingering weight yarn, offering flexibility in fiber choice. Yarn requirements vary by size: the Small size requires 430 yards (393 meters), the Medium size needs 550 yards (503 meters), and the Large size calls for 800 yards (732 meters). The pattern accommodates both 3-ply and 4-ply yarn weights, allowing knitters to select from a wide range of available yarns.

Needles and Gauge

The pattern specifies circular needles, with size recommendations based on yarn weight. For the lace version, US 5 (3.75 mm) needles are recommended, while the fingering version uses US 6 (4 mm) needles, or size needed to achieve the desired gauge. The recommended gauge is 18 stitches and 30 rows per 4 inches (10 cm) in stockinette stitch after blocking. However, the pattern notes that gauge is not critical for this project since fit is not crucial; variations in gauge will simply result in different finished sizes and yarn yardage requirements.

Pattern Format and Support

This is a downloadable PDF pattern suitable for intermediate-level knitters. The pattern includes standard knitting abbreviations and notions list, with a yarn needle required for finishing. For questions or technical support regarding the Holden pattern, designer Mindy Wilkes can be contacted directly.