K563-Persian Princess

K563 – Persian Princess Knitted Shawl

What is Being Made

The K563 – Persian Princess is an advanced circular knitted shawl designed by Nazanin Fard. This downloadable PDF pattern creates a sophisticated shawl that follows the Pi shawl concept, featuring four different stitch patterns that repeat around the circular construction. The finished shawl requires 1500 yards of yarn, making it a substantial project suitable for experienced knitters seeking an intricate, mathematically-inspired design.

Construction Method and Techniques

This shawl employs a circular knitting construction method that begins from the center and expands outward. The pattern starts with a small cast-on worked on double-pointed needles, then transitions to circular needles as the stitch count increases. The Pi shawl concept means the pattern repeats follow mathematical principles, with increases strategically placed to maintain the circular shape while introducing visual complexity through varying stitch patterns across four distinct sections.

The construction technique involves multiple increase rounds alternating with stockinette knit rounds, allowing the shawl to grow from a center point. Yarn overs create decorative eyelets and lace elements throughout the design, while decreases worked with slip-stitch-knit-2-together-pass-slipped-stitch (sl-k2tog-psso) and paired decreases (ssk and k2tog) create textural contrast and help shape the expanding circular form.

Stitches Used

• Yarn Over (Yo): Creates openwork eyelets and increases stitches for expansion
• Knit (K): Forms the base stockinette sections between patterned rounds
• Slip-Slip-Knit (ssk): A left-leaning decrease used in lace pattern sections
• Knit 2 Together (k2tog): A right-leaning decrease paired with yarn overs for balanced lace
• Slip-Knit 2 Together-Pass Slipped Stitch Over (sl-k2tog-psso): A centered double decrease creating visual focal points

Materials and Tools

This pattern requires 100% wool yarn in super fine (fingering) weight with shawl weight classification, totaling 1500 yards (1372 meters). The yarn choice provides drape and elegance appropriate for a Persian-inspired design.

The knitting needles include 5 double-pointed needles in size 5 (3.75 mm) for the initial center cast-on and early rounds, and 16-inch circular knitting needles in size 5 (3.75 mm) for working the expanding circular sections. A steel crochet hook size 0 (2.55 mm) is included for finishing techniques. Additional supplies needed are stitch markers to track pattern repeats and a blocking board with T-pins for the finishing process, which is essential for opening up the lace elements and setting the shawl's final shape and dimensions.

Difficulty Level

Rated as an advanced pattern, the K563 – Persian Princess requires solid foundational knitting skills including proficiency with double-pointed needles, circular needle techniques, yarn overs, and multiple decrease methods. The pattern's mathematical Pi shawl structure and four different stitch patterns demand attention to detail and the ability to track complex stitch sequences across multiple rounds. This project is best suited for experienced knitters comfortable with lace knitting and multi-step pattern repeats.