Before Spring

Before Spring Shawlette by Corrine Walcher

Project Overview

The Before Spring shawl is a versatile shawlette designed by Corrine Walcher for the transitional season between winter and spring. This knitted accessory provides gentle warmth while capturing the aesthetic of emerging warmer weather. The design is easily adjustable, allowing knitters to customize the finished dimensions to suit their preferences.

What Is Being Made

This project creates a shawlette—a smaller, more wearable version of a full shawl. The Before Spring shawlette features a lace edging and is worked from the bottom up. The finished piece measures 17 inches in depth and 44 inches in wingspan when unblocked, expanding to 20 inches in depth and 50 inches in wingspan after blocking. Instructions for creating a larger size are included within the pattern, making this design adaptable to different preferences and yarn quantities.

Knitting Techniques Used

• Bottom-up construction: The shawlette is knit from the bottom edge upward, allowing for intuitive increases and shaping
• Lace edging: A decorative lace pattern frames the perimeter, with each row beginning and ending with K2 (knit 2 stitches)
• Wet blocking: The finished piece is wet-blocked to achieve the final dimensions and enhance drape, expanding the wingspan and depth significantly
• Stockinette stitch base: The primary fabric is worked in stockinette stitch, providing a smooth, classic foundation
• Adjustable sizing: The pattern includes modifications for adding width and length beyond the as-written instructions

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

• Stockinette stitch: Forms the main body fabric, creating a smooth, refined appearance
• Lace stitches: Decorative lace edging adds visual interest and an airy quality to the shawlette
• Knit stitches: K2 edge stitches frame every row of the lace edging for clean selvage edges

Yarn and Materials

The Before Spring shawlette is designed for Aran weight, heavy worsted, or worsted weight yarn. The sample was knit using Avalon Springs Farm Glass Isle, a luxury blend of 50% Merino and 50% Cultivated Silk. This fiber combination provides softness, breathability, and a subtle sheen appropriate for a transitional season accessory. The sample required 5.3 ounces and 300 yards of yarn in the colorway Goblin Tail. Approximately 200 yards per 3.5 ounces is the standard yardage for this yarn weight.

Needles and Gauge

This project requires a 32-inch circular needle in size US 7 (4.5mm), or the size needed to obtain the specified gauge. The recommended gauge is 16 stitches and 28 rows per 4 inches in wet-blocked stockinette stitch. While gauge is noted as not critical for this item, achieving the recommended gauge will affect the final size, yardage used, and the drape of the finished shawlette.

Difficulty Level

This pattern is rated as intermediate, making it suitable for knitters with foundational skills who are ready to tackle lace work and shaping techniques. The combination of stockinette stitch, lace edging, and adjustable construction provides a satisfying challenge without overwhelming newer knitters.

Design Notes

The Before Spring shawlette is an ideal project for knitters seeking a seasonally appropriate accessory that bridges the gap between winter and spring. The merino and silk fiber blend offers temperature regulation and elegant drape, while the lace edging adds sophistication. The pattern's adjustability ensures that knitters can customize the piece to match their yarn quantities and desired finished dimensions, making it a flexible design suitable for various yarn choices within the Aran to worsted weight range.