Stoneleaf Shawl

Stoneleaf Shawl by Leila Raabe

What is Being Made

The Stoneleaf Shawl is a triangular shawl designed by Leila Raabe, worked flat in one piece and constructed from the center neck outward. The shawl begins with just 5 stitches and expands to a finished stitch count of 318, creating a versatile accessory suitable for various seasons and occasions.

Design Versatility

This shawl pattern is intentionally designed to work across multiple yarn weights, making it adaptable to different fiber choices and seasonal needs. The designer conceived the project with the flexibility to be knitted in sport-weight yarn such as Chickadee, fingering-weight yarn like Finch for an early fall kerchief aesthetic, or heavier yarns including Lark or Osprey for cooler weather warmth.

Techniques and Stitches Used

The Stoneleaf Shawl incorporates several intermediate to advanced knitting techniques that add textural interest and visual complexity:

• Cable Stitches: The pattern features FC3 (front cross over 3) and BC3 (back cross over 3) cable techniques. FC3 involves slipping 1 stitch onto a cable needle and holding it in front, knitting 3 stitches, then knitting 1 stitch from the cable needle. BC3 reverses this by slipping 3 stitches onto the cable needle, holding it in back, knitting 1 stitch, then knitting 3 stitches from the cable needle.
• Left Twist (LT): This stitch is created by skipping 1 stitch and knitting the next stitch through the back loop, then knitting the skipped stitch through the front, and slipping both stitches from the needle together.
• Garter Stitch: The pattern incorporates garter stitch sections, which provide a classic, textured foundation that complements the cable and twist work.

Designer Philosophy

Leila Raabe emphasizes wooly textures as a consistent element in her design work throughout all seasons. She combines cabling and garter stitch techniques to create pieces that work in both warm and cool weather applications, resulting in a shawl that balances visual interest with practical wearability.

Materials

This downloadable PDF pattern is written for sport-weight yarn and requires standard knitting needles appropriate to the chosen yarn weight. The pattern's adaptability means knitters can select from various yarn options depending on their desired finished fabric and seasonal use.

Difficulty Level

The Stoneleaf Shawl is classified as an advanced knitting project, suitable for experienced knitters comfortable working with cable techniques, twisted stitches, and shaping increases across a large triangular construction.