Lempi

Lempi Shawl by Susanna Winter

What Is Being Made

Lempi is a three-color triangular shawl designed by Susanna Winter. This knitted wrap features a generous wingspan of approximately 220 cm (86½ inches) and a depth of approximately 40 cm (15¾ inches), making it an ideal accessory for wrapping around yourself during cold weather. The shawl combines multiple stitch techniques and color work to create visual interest and texture.

Knitting Techniques and Stitches

Lempi showcases a blend of fundamental knitting techniques suitable for beginner-level crafters. The shawl is constructed using three primary stitch patterns:

• Garter Stitch: Forms the foundation of the shawl, creating a squishy, textured fabric that provides warmth and drape. Garter stitch is created by knitting every row, resulting in horizontal ridges on both sides of the fabric.
• Striped Sections: The three-color design incorporates stripes throughout the shawl, allowing crafters to practice color changes and create visual rhythm in their work.
• Mesh Lace: Delicate lace patterning adds an elegant, airy element to the design. The pattern provides both written and charted instructions for the lace sections, accommodating different learning preferences and skill levels.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

Lempi is worked in DK-weight yarn, which knits relatively quickly and creates a lightweight yet warm finished fabric. The pattern calls for Rowan Felted Tweed DK, a premium blend yarn composed of 50% merino, 25% rayon, and 25% alpaca. This fiber combination provides softness, sheen, and excellent drape.

The yarn is distributed across three colors:

• Main Color (MC): Rowan Felted Tweed DK #153 Phantom (1 skein, 175 m / 191 yd per 50 g)
• Contrast Color 1 (CC1): Rowan Felted Tweed DK #177 Clay (1 skein)
• Contrast Color 2 (CC2): Rowan Felted Tweed DK #161 Avocado (1 skein)

Needles and Tools

Lempi is worked on 5.5 mm (US #9) long circular needles, available in 80 cm or 100 cm lengths (32 or 40 inches). Circular needles accommodate the increasing number of stitches as the triangular shawl expands. A darning needle is required for weaving in yarn ends upon completion.

Gauge and Customization

Gauge is not critical for this project, as the shawl's finished dimensions will adjust based on individual knitting tension and yarn consumption. However, understanding your personal gauge is helpful: looser knitters may wish to decrease needle size or reserve additional yarn to achieve desired dimensions, while tighter knitters may work comfortably with the specified needle size.

Pattern Format and Instructions

The Lempi pattern is provided as a downloadable PDF and includes both metric and US terminology throughout, making it accessible to international crafters. Both written and charted instructions are included for the lace pattern sections, allowing knitters to follow their preferred instruction method.

Difficulty Level

Lempi is rated as a beginner-level project, making it an excellent choice for knitters new to shawl construction or those building foundational skills. The combination of garter stitch, simple striping, and basic lace techniques provides gentle skill progression without overwhelming complexity.