Olivia

Olivia Knitted Shawl by Melanie Mielinger

What Is Being Made

Olivia is a seamless triangular shawl designed by independent designer Melanie Mielinger. This knitting project combines relaxing garter stitch sections with an ambitious lace pattern, creating visual interest and textural contrast throughout the finished piece. The shawl measures 74 inches (185 cm) from side to side and reaches a depth of 18 inches (45 cm) at its deepest point, making it a substantial wrap suitable for layering or draping.

Knitting Techniques and Construction

Olivia is worked in one piece in a seamless construction, eliminating the need for seaming. The pattern alternates between relaxing garter stitch sections and an ambitious lace section, offering knitters both meditative stockinette-based knitting and more complex lacework that requires concentration and focus. The shawl is designed at an intermediate difficulty level, making it accessible to knitters with some experience who are ready to tackle lace patterns.

Stitches Used

• Garter stitch – forms the primary relaxing sections of the shawl
• Lace stitches – create the ambitious patterned sections requiring careful attention to stitch placement and yarn overs

Materials and Specifications

Yarn: Holst Yarn Supersoft (100% wool), a 3-ply weight yarn. The pattern calls for 1 ball each of two colors: Color A (Marlin) and Color B (Sage blue), with each ball containing 287 meters / 314 yards per 50 grams.

Needles and Tools: US 4 (3.5 mm) circular needle and a tapestry needle for weaving in ends.

Gauge: 21 stitches and 40 rows over 4 inches (10 cm) in garter stitch with US 4 (3.5 mm) needles after blocking.

Pattern Format

The downloadable PDF pattern includes both a stitch chart and written instructions, providing flexibility for different knitting preferences. Knitters who prefer working from charts need only print pages 1–7.