Damhsa

Damhsa Shawl by Ciara Ní Reachtnín

What Is Being Made

Damhsa is an advanced knitted shawl worked from side to side in three graduated sizes. The finished measurements offer a radius of 18 inches (45.5 cm), 23 inches (58.5 cm), or 28 inches (71 cm), making it a versatile triangular or crescent-shaped accessory suitable for various wearing preferences. The shawl is designed by independent designer Ciara Ní Reachtnín and is available as a downloadable PDF pattern.

Techniques Used

Damhsa employs several sophisticated knitting techniques that contribute to its advanced difficulty level. The shawl is constructed using short row shaping, which creates garter stripe wedges that form the foundation of the garment's structure. This method allows the knitter to build the shawl progressively while maintaining control over the finished dimensions.

A dancing single colour slip-stitch cable runs along the edge of the shawl, incorporating visual interest and movement from the center point to the furthest edge. The pattern provides both written instructions and charted options for working the slip-stitch cable, allowing knitters to choose their preferred method of following the pattern.

The shawl features garter stitch borders that bookend the design, providing a clean, structured frame. A simple crochet edge completes the finished shawl, adding a refined final touch. When working with two colours, the pattern employs a yarn-carrying technique along the edge to avoid cutting yarn between colour changes, with the instruction to always take the new colour over the old to create a neat, professional edge.

Stitches Used

• Garter stitch for borders and structural elements
• Slip-stitch cable for the decorative dancing edge detail
• Short rows for shaped wedge construction
• Crochet stitches for the finishing edge

Materials

Damhsa is worked in 3-ply and 4-ply weight yarn, with the suggested yarn being Malabrigo Sock, which contains 440 yards (402 meters) per 3½ ounce (100 gram) hank and is composed of 100% Superwash Merino Wool. The yardage requirements vary by size: the smallest size requires 1 skein each of the main colour and contrast colour, while the largest size requires 2 skeins of each. The pattern example shown uses Malabrigo Sock in #37 Lettuce for the main colour (MC) and #857 Light of Love for the contrast colour (CC).

The pattern notes that Damhsa works beautifully with semi-solid yarns but is equally suited to gradient or speckled yarns for the background colour, offering knitters flexibility in yarn selection. The superwash merino construction makes the finished shawl easy to care for while maintaining the softness and drape characteristic of fine merino fibres.