Rockscape

Rockscape Shawl by Skeinwalker

What is Being Made

Rockscape is a knitted shawl pattern inspired by the dramatic landscapes of Les Vosges, a mountain range in the East of France. The design captures the essence of glacial cirques, moody mountain lakes, steep granite rocks, and gently-sloped hillsides through its construction and visual elements. The shawl is offered in two colorways that reference the iconic fruits of The Vosges region—mirabelle plums and myrtilles (blueberries)—bringing the natural palette of the landscape to the finished piece.

Techniques and Construction

Rockscape employs an uncommon shawl shape created through a distinctive construction method. The pattern is worked flat in three separate sections that are joined together to form the complete shawl. This modular approach allows knitters to explore the design's complexity in manageable stages while building toward the finished garment.

The shawl combines two advanced knitting techniques to create its visual interest:

• Lace work – Creates open, delicate passages that evoke the flowing water and atmospheric qualities of mountain landscapes
• Mosaic knitting – A colorwork technique that builds pattern through strategic yarn color placement, allowing the two colorways to interact and create depth without the complexity of traditional stranded colorwork

The combination of lace and mosaic techniques results in a shawl that captures both the rugged geological formations and the softer natural elements of The Vosges.

Yarn and Materials

Rockscape is designed for 4-ply (fingering weight) yarn. The pattern is tested and written for Yipee Yarn Corriedale Sock, a 100% Corriedale wool yarn that provides 400 meters (437 yards) per 10 grams. This yarn weight and fiber choice offer excellent stitch definition for both the lace and mosaic elements, allowing the intricate pattern work to be clearly visible in the finished shawl.

Knitters will need appropriate needles for 4-ply yarn weight to work this pattern flat across the three sections.

Difficulty Level

Rockscape is rated as an intermediate difficulty pattern, making it suitable for knitters with foundational skills who are ready to explore more complex stitch combinations and shaping techniques. The combination of lace and mosaic knitting requires attention to pattern reading and stitch accuracy, though the three-section construction breaks the project into more manageable components.

Pattern Format

This pattern is available as a downloadable PDF, allowing immediate access to the complete instructions and any accompanying charts or stitch guides needed to complete the Rockscape shawl.