Product Description
This pattern is available individually and as part of the Poseidon's Realm, Part One pattern collection.
A shallow triangular shawl that is perfect for wrapping up in or winding around your neck, thanks to its generous size. Named for Britomartis, a virgin huntress who was relentlessly pursued by the king of Crete, to escape him she leapt off a cliff into the sea. She was caught in fishermen’s nets and pulled to safety. Artemis rewarded Britomartis for her virtue by granting her immortality as Dictynna, goddess of the nets. The net-like stitch pattern is reminiscent of the fishermen’s nets, but much softer when knit up in a lovely merino/cashmere/nylon blend!
This shawl is worked from the bottom up. The pattern begins with a provisional cast on and working a small portion of the edging. The main body stitches are then picked up from the top of the edging and from there the body and edging are worked in one piece. It is easy to alter the size of the shawl by either bindi
Britomartis Shawl by Tori Gurbisz
What Is Being Made
The Britomartis shawl is a shallow triangular knit shawl designed by Tori Gurbisz and presented by Lachesis and Co. This generous-sized wrap is versatile enough to drape around your shoulders for warmth or wind around your neck as a decorative accessory. With a wingspan of 80 inches (203 centimeters) and a depth of 20.5 inches (52 centimeters), the Britomartis offers substantial coverage while maintaining the elegant, lightweight quality characteristic of advanced knit shawl patterns.
Design Inspiration and Stitch Pattern
The shawl is named after Britomartis, a figure from Greek mythology—a virgin huntress pursued by the king of Crete who escaped by leaping into the sea, only to be rescued by fishermen's nets. Artemis granted her immortality as Dictynna, goddess of the nets. This mythological narrative directly informs the shawl's construction: the net-like stitch pattern echoes the fishermen's nets that saved Britomartis, creating a visually striking openwork design that becomes even more beautiful when knit in the recommended yarn blend.
Knitting Techniques and Stitches
The Britomartis employs a net-like stitch pattern throughout its shallow triangular construction. The pattern incorporates garter stitch as a foundational element, which provides structure and definition to the openwork sections. The net-like motif creates an intricate, lacy appearance that is both sophisticated and wearable. This advanced-level design requires solid knitting skills and familiarity with stitch pattern reading and shaping techniques typical of contemporary shawl patterns.
Yarn and Materials
The Britomartis is designed to be knit in a merino, cashmere, and nylon blend yarn at worsted weight. This fiber combination offers several advantages: merino wool provides warmth and elasticity, cashmere adds luxury and softness, and nylon contributes durability and prevents the delicate net-like pattern from becoming too fragile. The blend ensures that the openwork stitches remain soft against the skin while maintaining structural integrity through wear and washing.
Gauge and Customization
The pattern specifies a gauge of 9 stitches and 16 rows over 4 inches (10 centimeters) in garter stitch. However, the designer notes that gauge is not crucial to this project, offering flexibility for different knitting styles. Knitters who tend to knit tightly or prefer a more open, airy fabric are encouraged to go up one to two needle sizes from the standard recommendation. Proper blocking is essential; the designer recommends washing and blocking a swatch to ensure satisfaction with the final fabric characteristics before committing to the full project.
Skill Level
This shawl is classified as an advanced knitting project, making it suitable for experienced knitters who are comfortable working with complex stitch patterns, shaping techniques, and the precision required for lace and openwork designs.
Specifications
| Brand: | Independent Designer |
| Yarn Weight: | Worsted |
| Designer: | Tori Gurbisz |
| Craft: | Knitting |
| Format: | Downloadable PDF |
| Languages: | English |
| Number of Patterns: | 1 |
| Skill Level: | Advanced |
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