Wildfire

Wildfire Lace Shawl by Nim Teasdale

What is Being Made

Wildfire is an advanced knitted lace shawl designed by Nim Teasdale. This radiating shawl begins with a honeycomb structure at the center and expands outward into delicate, textured lace. The outer lace pattern was created by Naomi Parkhurst and inspired by the word "wildfire," with proceeds supporting the regeneration of bushland affected by the Australian bushfires of summer 2019/20. The finished shawl can be customized in size and shape through adjustable construction methods.

Design and Construction Techniques

Wildfire employs a radiating construction method that begins from the center and expands outward. The shawl features a honeycomb structure in the inner sections, which provides a flexible foundation for the piece. As the shawl grows outward from this center point, the construction transitions into increasingly delicate lace patterns that create visual texture and movement.

The size and final shape of the shawl can be adjusted in multiple ways during the knitting process. Knitters can increase the number of wedges to create a rounder, more expansive shawl, or work additional or fewer rows of the honeycomb center section to modify the overall dimensions. This flexibility allows for customization based on available yardage and personal preference.

Stitches and Lace Techniques

The pattern incorporates honeycomb stitch work in the center sections, combined with lace stitch patterns in the outer radiating sections. The specific lace motifs are based on the word "wildfire" and create the delicate, textured appearance characteristic of the finished shawl. These lace elements form the primary visual feature as the shawl expands outward.

Yarn and Materials

• Yardage: Minimum of approximately 500 meters (550 yards) of lace to fingering weight yarn. The shawl can accommodate up to 1000 meters with additional wedges or repeats for a larger finished size.
• Yarn Weight: Lace to fingering weight yarn in solid, semi-solid, gradient, or subtle speckle varieties work well with this pattern.
• Pictured Sample: The shawl shown in the pattern was knitted using 550 meters (600 yards) of A Guy with 2 Needles Soft Squishy Fingering 2 yarn.
• Needles: The pictured shawl was worked on 3mm (US size 2.5) needles. Gauge and needle size will vary depending on the specific yarn weight and desired finished dimensions.

Difficulty Level

Wildfire is an advanced knitting pattern, suitable for experienced knitters comfortable with lace construction, reading complex stitch patterns, and managing the expanding geometry of a radiating shawl design.