Curtain Call

Curtain Call Shawl by Carissa Browning

What is Being Made

Curtain Call is a knitted shawl designed by Carissa Browning. This triangular shawl features a generous 60-inch span and 20-inch height at center, making it a versatile accessory suitable for various occasions and styling preferences. The shawl is worked in one size but includes adjustable construction options for customization.

Techniques Used

This intermediate-level knitting project employs several advanced techniques to create its elegant silhouette. The shawl begins with a small cast-on and uses a pick-up method, where stitches are picked up along selvage edges and cast-on edges after rotating the work, a technique that creates clean, finished edges without additional seaming. The construction method allows for easy size adjustment by working additional pattern repeats before the final bind-off.

Lace patterning forms the primary visual element, created through strategic yarn overs and decreases that produce openwork sections. The shawl incorporates a Vine Lace chart that repeats in multiples of 10 stitches, allowing crafters to expand or reduce the width as desired.

Stitches Used

• Knit (k): The foundational stitch used throughout the shawl
• Knit two together (k2tog): A right-leaning decrease used in lace pattern sections
• Slip, slip, knit (ssk): A left-leaning decrease created by slipping two stitches individually as if to knit, then inserting the left-hand needle through both slipped stitches from left to right and knitting them together through the back loop
• Yarn over (yo): Creates the openwork holes characteristic of lace patterns

Materials and Tools

Curtain Call is worked in fingering weight yarn, requiring approximately 600 yards (549 meters) total. The recommended yarn is Leading Men Fiber Arts Diva, a blend of 80% merino wool and 20% silk, available in 150-gram skeins. The color used in the original design is Out Damn Spot!. Knitting is worked on US #3 (3.25mm) circular needles, with 2 stitch markers used to track pattern repeats and construction points. A tapestry needle is needed for weaving in yarn ends after completion. After blocking, the gauge measures 23 stitches and 32 rows over 4 inches in the lace pattern.

For more information and additional patterns, visit CarissaKnits.com.