Sentiment

Sentiment Shawl by Andrea Rangel

What Is Being Made

The Sentiment is a crescent-shaped shawl designed by independent designer Andrea Rangel. This downloadable knitting pattern creates a finished shawl with a wingspan of 48 inches (122 cm), making it a versatile accessory suitable for layering or draping. The shawl's elegant crescent silhouette is achieved through strategic construction techniques that shape the fabric as you work.

Construction Method and Shaping Technique

The Sentiment shawl is worked from the bottom-up using short row shaping to create its distinctive crescent form. Short rows are a fundamental knitting technique that allows knitters to add depth and dimension to fabric by working back and forth across a portion of stitches rather than completing full rows. This method is particularly effective for creating curved, sculptural shapes in shawls and wraps without requiring complex increases or decreases across the entire width.

Stitch Patterns and Instructions

The pattern features a lace stitch pattern that adds visual interest and airiness to the finished piece. Both charted and written lace pattern instructions are provided within the pattern, giving knitters flexibility in how they prefer to follow directions. The base fabric is worked in Stockinette stitch, a fundamental knitting technique that creates a smooth, classic V-textured surface.

Key stitches used throughout the pattern include:

• Knit (k) — the basic knit stitch forming the foundation fabric
• Purl (p) — used in lace and textural elements
• Knit 2 together (k2tog) — a right-leaning decrease stitch
• Slip, slip, knit (ssk) — a left-leaning decrease stitch created by slipping 2 stitches as if to knit, inserting the left needle into the front of both stitches, and knitting them together through the back loops
• Slip (sl) — used in lace pattern sequences
• Pass slipped stitch over (psso) — an alternative decrease method
• Bind off (BO) — to secure stitches at the completion
• Cast on (CO) — to establish the foundation stitches

Yarn and Materials

The Sentiment shawl is designed for super bulky weight yarn, requiring 320 yards (295 meters) total. The pattern is shown in Malabrigo Rasta, a 100% Merino wool yarn in the Sunset colorway. Since Malabrigo Rasta provides 90 yards (82 meters) per 150-gram skein, the pattern requires 4 skeins of yarn.

Essential tools include a US #15 (10 mm) needle — though the pattern notes that needle size recommendations are guidelines and knitters should select the size necessary to achieve the specified gauge. Additional supplies needed are a tapestry needle for weaving in ends, blocking pins, and optionally blocking wires to shape the finished shawl during the blocking process.

Gauge and Finishing

The pattern specifies a gauge of 8 stitches and 13 rows equals 4 inches (10 cm) in Stockinette stitch. Importantly, gauge measurement should be taken after blocking, as blocking significantly affects the final dimensions and drape of the finished shawl. This is particularly relevant for lace patterns, where blocking opens up the lace stitches and allows the shawl to reach its intended wingspan of 48 inches.

Difficulty Level

Classified as an intermediate difficulty pattern, the Sentiment shawl is suitable for knitters with foundational skills who are ready to tackle more complex techniques. The combination of short row shaping and lace stitching requires understanding of multiple stitch types and the ability to follow charted instructions, making it an excellent project for advancing one's knitting skills.