Lichenometry

Lichenometry Triangular Shawl by Allison Janocha

What is Being Made

Lichenometry is an advanced-level triangular shawl designed by independent designer Allison Janocha. This top-down knit shawl features finished dimensions of 16 inches deep by 72 inches wide (40.5 cm by 183 cm), making it a generous wrap suitable for layering or wearing as a statement accessory. The design combines textured construction with delicate lace detailing, creating visual interest through contrasting techniques within a single project.

Knitting Techniques Used

The Lichenometry shawl employs several advanced knitting techniques to achieve its distinctive appearance and structure. The body of the shawl is constructed using short rows, a technique that creates texture and shaping by working back and forth across a subset of stitches rather than completing full rows. This method allows the designer to build dimension and visual texture into the main body of the garment.

The shawl features a lace edging that is knit separately using stitches that were deliberately left unworked during the body construction. This two-part construction method—building the body first, then picking up and working the edging—is a sophisticated approach that allows for precise stitch placement and creates a refined finished edge.

The pattern incorporates wrap and turn techniques essential to the short-row construction, enabling the knitter to create the textured body while maintaining proper tension and stitch integrity.

Stitches Used

The Lichenometry pattern utilizes fundamental knitting stitches combined in strategic ways to create its textured and lace effects. The stitch abbreviations and techniques include:

• k (knit): The basic knit stitch forming the foundation of the fabric
• p (purl): The reverse of the knit stitch, used to create texture and pattern definition
• ptbl (purl through the back loop): A variation that twists the purl stitch for textural effect
• k2tog (knit two together): A right-leaning decrease used in lace and shaping
• ssk (slip, slip, knit): A left-leaning decrease that pairs with k2tog for balanced lace patterns
• s (slip): Moving a stitch from one needle to another without working it, used in decreases and stitch manipulation
• wyib (with yarn in back): A positioning instruction that affects stitch appearance and tension
• w&t (wrap and turn): The essential short-row technique that creates the shawl's textured body

Materials and Specifications

The Lichenometry shawl is worked in fingering weight wool or wool blend yarn, classified as 4-ply weight. The sample shown in the pattern was knit using Three Irish Girls Springvale Sock yarn. The total yardage requirements are divided between the two construction phases: 320 yards (295 meters) for the body and 210 yards (195 meters) for the lace edging, totaling approximately 530 yards of yarn.

The project requires US Size 7 (4.5 mm) circular needles, or the size needed to obtain the specified gauge as detailed in the pattern instructions. Additional notions include a tapestry needle for weaving in ends, blocking supplies to finish the shawl properly, and optional stitch markers to help track pattern repeats and construction progress.

Difficulty Level

Lichenometry is classified as an advanced knitting project, appropriate for experienced knitters comfortable with short-row shaping, lace construction, and reading complex stitch patterns. The combination of textured short-row body work and delicate lace edging requires solid foundational skills and the ability to troubleshoot tension and stitch placement issues independently.