Kirsty (aka Kamala)

Kamala Shawl by Jill Myint-Maung

What is Being Made

The Kamala is an advanced knitted shawl designed by Jill Myint-Maung. This downloadable PDF pattern creates a sophisticated triangular or crescent-shaped shawl worked from a small cast-on that expands outward through strategic increases and chart-based stitch patterns. The shawl is constructed with a symmetrical design, featuring a centre stitch that divides two mirrored halves of the pattern.

Construction Method and Techniques

The Kamala employs several advanced knitting techniques that make it suitable for experienced knitters. The shawl begins with a small cast-on of just 2 stitches, which is then expanded through a series of strategic pick-up rows worked perpendicular to the initial edges. This creates the foundation of 5 stitches from which the main shawl body develops.

The pattern uses chart-based construction, where knitters follow a visual representation of stitches across rows. The design incorporates a repeating stitch pattern shown in the chart, with the red area indicating the section that repeats throughout the body of the shawl. The pattern is worked symmetrically, with knitters executing the chart row once for the first half of the shawl, then reading the same chart row again in the same direction for the second half, creating mirror-image sections separated by a centre stitch.

The shawl body is worked over 32 rows initially, followed by repeated rows 17 through 32 as many times as desired—the pattern suggests 6 repeats for a finished size. On the final repeat, knitters work only through row 28 before transitioning to the finishing sequence. The edging is completed by working through a dedicated edging chart once, providing a refined finished edge.

Stitches Used

• Garter stitch — used for the 2-stitch edges on either side of the main pattern and for the centre stitch, creating a stable, textured border
• Yarn overs (YO) — creates decorative eyelets and contributes to the shawl's expansion and lacy qualities
• Knit stitches — the foundation stitch throughout the pattern
• Slip, knit, pass slipped stitch over (PSSO) — a left-leaning decrease used during the finishing sequence to close the centre stitches
• Slip stitch — used in the bind-off technique for a loose, flexible edge

Materials

The Kamala pattern requires knitting needles and yarn suitable for shawl construction. While specific yarn weight and needle size recommendations are not detailed in the provided pattern excerpt, shawl patterns of this style typically call for fingering or lace-weight yarn paired with appropriate needles to achieve the desired drape and stitch definition. Stitch markers are essential for tracking the centre stitch and pattern repeats throughout the construction.