King's Cross Shawlette

King's Cross Shawlette by MaryG Knits

Project Overview

The King's Cross Shawlette is an intermediate-level knitted shawlette that combines multiple knitting techniques to create a sophisticated, wearable accessory. This design showcases intarsia colorwork, lace stitch patterns, and garter stitch construction, resulting in a garment with visual interest and textural variety. The finished shawlette features a distinctive silhouette with lace gussets positioned at each shoulder, making it an elegant layering piece.

Construction and Techniques

The King's Cross Shawlette employs a thoughtfully sequenced construction method that keeps knitters engaged throughout the project. The pattern begins with a traditional garter tab foundation, which provides a secure base for the subsequent sections. From this starting point, the design transitions into off-kilter striping created using intarsia colorwork techniques, allowing knitters to work with two distinct yarn colors to build geometric patterns within the fabric.

As the shawlette develops, the intarsia striping section gives way to garter stitch sections that provide visual and tactile relief. The most delicate element of the design is introduced in the final stages: lace stitch patterns form dedicated gussets that drape gracefully across each shoulder. These lace sections are topped with garter stitch worked in the multi-colored yarn, creating a balanced transition between the intricate lace and the structured body of the shawlette.

Blocking is an essential finishing step for this design, as it allows the edges to develop a gentle ripple effect and enhances the definition of the lace portions, ensuring the final garment displays all the design elements to their best advantage.

Stitches Used

• Garter Stitch: Forms the foundation tab and appears throughout the design as structural and decorative elements
• Intarsia Colorwork: Creates the off-kilter striping pattern using two contrasting yarn colors
• Lace Stitches: Compose the shoulder gussets, adding delicate openwork to the shawlette

Materials and Yardage

The King's Cross Shawlette is designed to be knitted using fingering-weight superwash wool, a yarn category prized for its softness, durability, and easy-care properties. The pattern requires approximately 280 yards (60g) of tonal yarn for the main color and approximately 200 yards (40g) of multi-colored yarn for contrast and accent sections, totaling roughly 480 yards of yarn.

The sample shown in the pattern documentation was created using Blue Mountain Handcrafts Umpqua Fingering in hand-dyed, limited-edition colorways, specifically a Tonal Silver/Grey for the main color. The use of hand-dyed, superwash wool ensures the finished shawlette is both beautiful and practical, resisting pilling and remaining easy to care for with gentle washing.

Pattern Format

Directions for the King's Cross Shawlette are provided in both charted and line-by-line formats, accommodating different knitter preferences and experience levels. This dual-format approach makes the pattern accessible whether you prefer to follow visual charts or written row-by-row instructions.