Autumn in New York

Autumn in New York Shawl by Andrea Jurgrau

Project Overview

Autumn in New York is an advanced-level knitted shawl designed by Andrea Jurgrau for BadCatDesigns. This downloadable PDF pattern creates a sophisticated triangular shawl ideal for knitters with solid technical skills and experience working with complex stitch patterns. The design celebrates the visual drama of variegated yarn, making it an excellent showcase project for premium hand-dyed or multi-colored yarns.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a large triangular shawl measuring 62 inches across the top and 34 inches deep when blocked. The generous dimensions make it suitable for wearing as a wrap, shoulder shawl, or decorative accent. The shawl's design is specifically engineered to take advantage of long color changes in variegated yarns, creating visual interest as the colors shift throughout the piece.

Yarn and Materials

The shawl requires 600 meters of fingering to sport weight yarn, which equates to approximately 2 skeins of 100 grams per 300 meters. The pattern was designed with variegated yarns in mind, particularly those featuring long, gradual color transitions. Recommended yarns include Noro Silk Garden Sock, Noro Kureyon Sock, Yarn TreeHouse Melody, and Yarn Place Adagio. Solid-color yarns in the same weight range are also suitable alternatives, though they will not showcase the color-play element the design celebrates.

Optional embellishment is available through the inclusion of beads, with charts provided in the pattern. However, the designer does not recommend adding beads when working with Noro yarn, as the variegated colors may compete visually with bead placement.

Needles and Tools

Knitters will need US 4 knitting needles to achieve the required gauge. Additional supplies include:

• At least 3 stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats
• T-pins for blocking
• A yarn needle for weaving in ends
• A crochet hook (only if adding optional beads)

Gauge and Finished Dimensions

The pattern specifies a gauge of four stitches per inch, measured in stockinette stitch and taken after blocking. Achieving proper gauge is essential for obtaining the intended finished dimensions and ensuring the shawl drapes appropriately. The finished weight in Noro Silk Garden Sock is noted in the pattern documentation.

Techniques and Stitches

As an advanced-level pattern, Autumn in New York employs sophisticated knitting techniques suited to experienced crafters. The shawl construction utilizes stockinette stitch as the primary fabric base. The triangular shaping and complex stitch patterns require strong foundational skills in reading charts, managing multiple stitch markers, and maintaining consistent tension throughout a large project.

The pattern includes optional beading charts for knitters who wish to add embellished details. Beading in knitting typically involves securing beads onto yarn before knitting or using a crochet hook to thread beads onto stitches after the knit fabric is complete. The designer's note against using beads with variegated Noro yarns reflects professional design judgment about color harmony and visual balance.

Skill Level and Pattern Complexity

This is an advanced difficulty pattern best suited for knitters with experience completing complex projects. The advanced classification reflects not only the stitch complexity but also the scale of the project and the precision required in blocking a large, shaped garment to achieve the intended finished dimensions.