Contextual

Contextual Shawl by Brixton Purl

What is Being Made

Contextual is a textural knitted shawl designed by Therese Hedlund for Brixton Purl, created in collaboration with Botanical Yarns. This three-colour shawl draws inspiration from garden flowers and emphasizes texture throughout the design. The finished piece is generously sized to be wrapped around the shoulders while remaining versatile enough to wear as a scarf, making it a practical layering garment suitable for adding warmth and visual interest to any outfit.

Craft and Techniques

This is a knitting project designed for beginners, making it an accessible choice for those new to shawl construction. The pattern emphasizes textural elements created through strategic stitch placement and colour work. The shawl is worked in DK weight yarn, a medium-weight option that provides structure while remaining lightweight enough for comfortable wear. Proper blocking is essential to this design, as different yarn fibre compositions behave differently during finishing—for example, silk and merino blends will stretch more than pure BFL yarns. Swatching and blocking your chosen yarn before starting the main project is recommended to ensure the final gauge and fabric hand match your expectations.

Stitches and Construction

While specific stitch names are not detailed in the available pattern information, the design relies on textural stitches that create visual and tactile interest. The three-colour construction suggests colour changes are incorporated throughout the piece, likely worked using stranded knitting or colour work techniques common to shawl designs. The pattern notes provide guidance for adapting to different yarn types, indicating that needle size adjustments may be necessary depending on your chosen yarn's fibre content and characteristics.

Materials

This pattern calls for DK weight yarn in three coordinating colours inspired by botanical themes. The designer has tested the pattern with multiple yarn fibre blends, including silk and merino combinations as well as pure BFL options. Appropriate knitting needles sized to your specific yarn choice are required; needle size may vary depending on your yarn's fibre composition and desired finished gauge. The pattern is provided as a downloadable PDF format for easy access and printing.

Design Details

• Three-colour colourwork inspired by garden flowers
• Textural stitch patterns throughout
• Beginner-friendly difficulty level
• Versatile sizing suitable for shoulder wrapping or scarf-style wearing
• Warm and cosy finished fabric
• Requires blocking for optimal results and final gauge

Pattern by Therese Hedlund, Brixton Purl. Created in collaboration with Botanical Yarns. © 2020 Therese Hedlund.