Kelias

Kelias Shawl by Bérangère Cailliau

What is Being Made

Kelias is a downloadable knitting pattern for an asymmetrical shawl designed by independent designer Bérangère Cailliau. This shawl measures 195cm in length by 50cm in width, making it a generous wrap suitable for layering or draping. The asymmetrical construction creates visual interest and dynamic movement in the finished piece.

Craft and Techniques

This is a knitting project suitable for beginners, despite its sophisticated appearance. The shawl employs several intermediate techniques that build foundational knitting skills:

• Garter stitch forms the foundation of the first section, creating a textured, reversible fabric that is ideal for beginners to practice consistent tension
• Short rows are used to create the asymmetrical shaping, a technique where you work back and forth on a subset of stitches to build depth and dimension
• Wrap and turn (WT) is employed during short row sections to prevent holes and create seamless transitions
• Yarn overs (yo) feature in the finishing section to add lace elements and visual lightness to the edges
• Stripes in two contrasting colors add visual complexity and allow knitters to practice color work and yarn management

Stitches Used

The pattern utilizes fundamental knitting stitches appropriate for a beginner-level project:

• Knit stitch (k) forms the base of garter stitch sections
• Purl stitch (p) complements knit stitches in pattern sequences
• Yarn over (yo) creates decorative eyelets and lace effects
• Knit 2 together (k2tog) decreases stitches for shaping
• Make one right (M1R) increases stitches by picking up the thread between stitches and knitting into the front loop, creating a directional increase

Materials and Gauge

Kelias is designed for 4-ply fingering weight yarn. The pattern specifies two color options from Lafeefil Merisoie: Mare Magnum for color 1 and Havane for color 2, with each color requiring 400 meters (approximately 100 grams per skein). Alternatively, any fingering weight yarn totaling 400 meters per color will work.

The project requires 3.5mm (US size 4) needles or the size necessary to achieve the correct gauge. The specified gauge is 25 stitches and 32 rows over a 10cm × 10cm swatch worked in garter stitch on 3.5mm needles. Achieving proper gauge is essential for the shawl to reach its intended finished dimensions.

Construction Method

The shawl's asymmetrical shape is created through a methodical construction sequence: the piece begins with a garter stitch foundation section, progresses through strategic short row sections with wrap and turn techniques to build shaping, incorporates color changes to create striped sections, and finishes with yarn over elements that add delicate lace patterning. This multi-technique approach makes the pattern an excellent learning project for knitters developing their skills beyond basic stockinette stitch.