Melody

Melody Shawl by Brian Smith Designs

Project Overview

Melody is an intermediate-level knitted shawl designed by Brian Smith Designs. This downloadable PDF pattern creates a generous triangular wrap featuring a sophisticated construction method that combines garter stitch borders with lace patterning throughout the shawl body. The finished piece measures an impressive 166 centimeters in wingspan with a depth of 73 centimeters at the widest point, making it a versatile accessory suitable for layering or wearing as a traditional wrap.

What Is Being Made

The Melody shawl is a top-down triangular shawl constructed using a garter tab cast-on method. The design features a central spine with symmetrical increases on either side, creating the characteristic triangular silhouette. The shawl incorporates both stockinette stitch and lace elements, with garter stitch borders framing the edges for a finished, polished appearance.

Knitting Techniques Used

• Garter tab cast-on: A method that begins with a small number of stitches and incorporates picked-up stitches to create a reinforced starting point
• Top-down construction: The shawl is worked from the center outward, allowing for easy customization of final size
• Symmetrical increases: Strategic placement of make-one stitches (M1R and M1L) on both sides of the central spine creates balanced shaping
• Lace integration: Yarn-over and purl-together combinations create openwork sections within the shawl body
• Marker placement: Stitch markers help maintain pattern repeats and identify key construction points throughout the knitting process
• Blocking: Essential finishing technique to set the gauge and open up the lace pattern for optimal drape and appearance

Stitches and Abbreviations

• K (Knit): The fundamental knit stitch
• P (Purl): The reverse of the knit stitch, used to create texture and pattern variation
• M1R (Make one right): An increase stitch worked by picking up the bar between stitches and knitting through the back loop
• M1L (Make one left): A left-leaning increase stitch that mirrors M1R
• Yrn (Yarn round needle): A yarn-over that creates decorative holes in the fabric, fundamental to lace patterns
• P2tog (Purl two stitches together): A decrease stitch that pairs with yarn-overs to create lace motifs
• Slm (Slip marker): Moving stitch markers from one needle to the next without working them

Materials and Gauge

The Melody shawl pattern calls for KFI Collection Indulgence fingering weight yarn in two colorways: one skein each of Gold Coast (shade 14) and Bella Vista (shade 16). The yarn is held together as a single strand throughout the project, creating subtle color blending and visual interest. A 4.5mm (US7) circular needle measuring 120 centimeters accommodates the increasing stitch count as the shawl expands. The pattern is designed to achieve a gauge of 16 stitches and 28 rows over 10 centimeters in blocked stockinette stitch, which is typical for fingering-weight yarn projects. Additional notions include a tapestry needle for weaving in ends, a blocking kit for finishing, a row counter for tracking progress, and two stitch markers for pattern management.

Construction Details

The shawl begins with a garter tab cast-on using three stitches, worked for ten rows. Stitches are then picked up along the edges of this tab to create an eleven-stitch foundation. The set-up row establishes the basic structure with garter stitch borders (three stitches on each edge) and marker placement to identify the central spine and increase zones. The shawl body is worked in a two-row repeat: the right-side rows feature the increase pattern with lace elements created by yarn-overs and purl decreases, while wrong-side rows are worked in stockinette stitch with garter borders maintained at the edges. This systematic approach ensures consistent shaping and allows the lace pattern to develop symmetrically throughout the piece.