Brookhill

Brookhill Knit Shawl by Laura Aylor

What is Being Made

Brookhill is an intermediate-level knit shawl designed by Laura Aylor and published by Fogbound Knits. This triangular shawl measures approximately 76 inches across and 27 inches deep after blocking, making it a generous wrap suitable for layering or wearing as a statement piece. The shawl is worked in DK weight yarn and requires approximately 700 yards of material.

Construction and Design Techniques

The Brookhill shawl is knit sideways on the bias, a technique that creates diagonal lines and interesting directional flow throughout the finished piece. The shawl features a distinctive construction method where the bind-off is executed in 6 steps, which adds wingspan to the finished garment without increasing depth. This multi-step bind-off creates a refined edge and allows for a more dramatic wingspan measurement.

The shawl incorporates lace insets into sections of garter stitch, creating visual and textural contrast. Because the stockinette lace sections and garter stitch sections have slightly different row gauges, blocking is essential to achieve the intended finished dimensions and drape. The pattern features an easily memorized 4-row repeat, making it accessible for intermediate knitters who want to work without constant pattern reference.

Stitches and Skills Required

Knitters working the Brookhill pattern should be comfortable with the following techniques:

• Increasing
• Decreasing
• Yarn overs (essential for the lace inset sections)
• Garter stitch
• Stockinette stitch
• Blocking and finishing

Gauge and Sizing

The recommended gauge for Brookhill is 19 stitches and 26 rows in 4 inches of blocked garter stitch. Knitters should block their gauge swatch by stretching it lengthwise and pinning it to obtain an accurate measurement, as this reflects how the finished shawl will behave after blocking. While gauge is not critical for this design, variations will affect both the finished size and total yardage required.

Materials and Tools

The Brookhill shawl is worked in DK weight or light worsted yarn, with a total yardage requirement of approximately 700 yards. Yarn choice significantly impacts the finished shawl, as the pattern recommends selecting yarns with excellent drape when blocked. Silk and alpaca blended with merino are ideal choices, as are most superwash wool options. The sample shawl shown in the pattern was knit using Madelinetosh Merino | Silk, a yarn blend containing 50% merino and 50% silk.

Additional tools needed include US6/4mm needles (or the size required to obtain gauge), stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats, and a tapestry needle for weaving in ends and any finishing work.