Fulcra

Fulcra Shawl by Katherine Vaughan

What is Being Made

Fulcra is an advanced-level knitted shawl designed by independent designer Katherine Vaughan. This is a three-quarter square shawl featuring a garter-based construction with a distinctive mosaic pattern forming a wide border. The design draws inspiration from the geometric principle of a fulcrum—a hinge or pivot point—and references Archimedes' famous quote about leverage and moving the earth. The shawl is worked in a two-color mosaic pattern with contrasting main color (MC) and contrasting color (CC).

Construction and Techniques

The shawl employs a garter stitch base, which creates a classic, textured fabric with horizontal ridges. The mosaic pattern forms the distinctive wide border that frames the piece. To achieve a loose, elegant increase along the spines and edges, the pattern uses a two-row increase technique. On right-side (RS) rows, yarn overs are worked at the edges to create decorative, open increases that contribute to the shawl's drape and finished shape.

Stitches Used

• Garter stitch (the primary stitch structure)
• Yarn overs (for decorative edge increases)
• Mosaic stitch pattern (two-color colorwork technique)

Materials and Tools

Yarn: The pattern calls for Anzula Wash My Lace, a 100% merino wool laceweight yarn with 980 yards per 115 grams (896 meters per 4 ounces). One skein each of the main color and contrasting color is required. The shown colorway features Seaside as the MC and Charcoal as the CC. Alternatively, any laceweight or light fingering yarn works, requiring approximately 650 yards of MC and 350 yards of CC.

Needles and Notions: One set of US size 5 (4mm) circular needles and one set of US size 6 (4.5mm) circular needles are needed, with the larger size being one size larger than required for gauge. Six stitch markers and a tapestry needle for finishing are also required.

Gauge

The pattern specifies a gauge of 18 stitches and 34 rows to 4 inches (10 centimeters) in garter stitch, measured over a well-blocked swatch on the smaller needles. Achieving proper gauge is essential for the finished shawl dimensions and drape.