Levante

Levante Triangular Shawl by Ruth Garcia-Alcantud

What is Being Made

Levante is a triangular shawl knit from the neck edge outward, creating a versatile wrap that measures 50 inches (125 centimeters) wide and 20 inches (50 centimeters) deep. The design draws inspiration from the Mediterranean region where the designer was born, evoking the summery sea-breeze of the Levante wind. This intermediate-level knitting project uses a single skein of yarn, making it an efficient and accessible pattern for knitters seeking to create a beautiful finished piece quickly.

Construction Technique

The shawl employs a top-down triangular construction method, beginning at the neck edge and expanding outward to the finished dimensions. This approach uses a provisional cast-on, which allows the knitter to work from a designated starting point and gradually increase stitches as the triangular shape develops. The top-down method is particularly popular for shawl designs as it permits the knitter to try on the garment during the knitting process and adjust the final size if desired before binding off.

Stitches and Stitch Techniques

The Levante shawl incorporates fundamental knitting stitches combined with strategic decreases to shape the triangular silhouette. The pattern uses the following stitch abbreviations and techniques:

• K - Knit stitch, the basic foundation stitch
• P - Purl stitch, creating textured contrast
• ssk - Slip, slip, knit; a left-leaning decrease
• sssk - Slip, slip, slip, knit; a double left-leaning decrease
• k2tog - Knit 2 together; a right-leaning decrease
• k3tog - Knit 3 together; a double right-leaning decrease
• s2k1psso - Slip 2 stitches together as if to knit, knit 1, pass both slipped stitches over; a centered double decrease
• s3k2psso - Slip 3 stitches together as if to knit, knit 1, pass both slipped stitches over; an advanced centered decrease

These decreases work together to create the shaping necessary for the triangular form while maintaining the aesthetic integrity of the stitch pattern throughout the design.

Yarn and Materials

The Levante shawl is designed to be knit using Araucania Ranco Solid yarn, a 4-ply weight yarn that provides excellent stitch definition and drape. One skein of this yarn contains 375 yards (344 meters) and weighs 100 grams, making it a single-skein project that is both economical and quick to complete. The 4-ply weight offers a balanced thickness suitable for creating a shawl with good structure and elegant flow.

Needles and Gauge

The pattern calls for size 4mm (US 6) needles, though the designer emphasizes the importance of selecting needle sizes that will achieve the desired gauge for your specific yarn choice. The target gauge is 16 stitches over 10 centimeters (4 inches) when working in pattern. Achieving proper gauge is essential for obtaining the correct finished dimensions and ensuring the shawl drapes as intended.

Additional Supplies

Beyond yarn and needles, knitters will need waste yarn and a crochet hook to create and manage the provisional cast-on at the beginning of the project. Blocking equipment is also required to finish the shawl properly, which helps even out the stitches and allows the triangular shape to achieve its full, elegant dimensions before wearing.

Difficulty Level

Levante is classified as an intermediate knitting project. While it uses fundamental stitches, the combination of multiple decrease techniques and the shaping required for the triangular construction make it suitable for knitters with some experience beyond absolute beginners. The pattern rewards careful attention to stitch placement and gauge, resulting in a polished, professional-looking finished garment.