Candlelit Shawl

Candlelit Shawl by Helen Stewart

What is Being Made

The Candlelit Shawl is a lightweight, festive knitted shawl designed by Helen Stewart as an intermediate-level knitting project. This triangular shawl features a straight top edge and tapered neck-to-bottom construction, making it an elegant accessory perfect for seasonal wear or as a gift. The design offers versatility through two construction options: a fully beaded version for added sparkle and embellishment, or a simple lace version that showcases the yarn's natural beauty. Available in two sizes, this shawl is an ideal stash-busting project requiring only one to two skeins of fingering or sock weight yarn.

Finished Measurements

• Small: Approximately 114cm (45") diameter across straight top edge, 35cm (14") from neck to bottom edge
• Medium: Approximately 132cm (52") diameter across straight top edge, 46cm (18") from neck to bottom edge

Techniques and Stitches Used

The Candlelit Shawl employs lace knitting techniques as its primary construction method. The design features simple lace stitches that create an open, airy fabric characteristic of lightweight shawls. For those seeking additional embellishment, the pattern includes beading techniques, allowing knitters to incorporate beads throughout the lace pattern for a festive, sparkly finish. These lace stitches are worked in a triangular shawl construction, which is a classic shawl-knitting approach that creates the distinctive shape with a wider top edge and narrower bottom point.

Materials

The Candlelit Shawl is designed to be worked in fingering or sock weight yarn. Recommended yarns include Eden Cottage Yarns BFL Sock (100% Wool, 399m/436yds per 100g skein) for the Small size, or madelinetosh Tosh Sock (100% Superwash Merino, 361m/395yds per 100g skein) for the Medium size. The pattern requires only 1 x 100g skein of yarn, making it an excellent project for using up small quantities from your yarn stash. Standard knitting needles appropriate for fingering weight yarn are required to complete this project.

Difficulty Level

This pattern is rated as intermediate difficulty, making it suitable for knitters with some experience who are comfortable working with lace stitches and following pattern instructions. The intermediate classification reflects the lace-knitting techniques involved while remaining accessible to knitters ready to expand their skills beyond basic stockinette and simple stitch patterns.