Marmel 2

Marmel 2 Shawl by Brian Smith Designs

Project Overview

The Marmel 2 is an intermediate-level knitted shawl designed by Brian Smith. This downloadable PDF pattern creates a generous triangular shawl with a wingspan of 140 centimeters and a maximum depth of 49 centimeters after steam blocking, making it an elegant accessory suitable for various occasions and styling options.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a large triangular shawl worked from a small cast-on that expands outward through strategic increases. The shawl is constructed using a top-down approach, beginning with just 2 stitches and gradually building width across the piece. The finished dimensions create a versatile wrap that provides substantial coverage while maintaining an airy, elegant drape.

Knitting Techniques Used

• Picking up stitches: The pattern incorporates picking up stitches from cast-on edges and purl bumps, a technique that allows the shawl to expand from a minimal starting point
• Increases: Multiple increase methods are employed throughout, including knit-front-and-back (kfb) increases and the kyok technique (knit one, yarn over, knit one all into the same stitch), which creates decorative yarn-over details while building width
• Decreases: Knit two together (k2tog) and slip-knit-pass (skp) decreases are used to shape the shawl and create stitch definition
• Yarn overs: Both yarn round needle (yrn) and yarn over (yo) techniques generate lacy openwork elements characteristic of shawl design
• Steam blocking: The pattern requires steam blocking to achieve the final measurements and shape, a finishing technique that sets stitches and opens up the fabric for optimal drape

Stitches Used

The Marmel 2 employs fundamental knitting stitches combined with shaping techniques. Garter stitch forms the foundation of the design, created by knitting every row on both right-side and wrong-side rows. This stitch provides texture and stability while allowing the increases and decreases to create visual interest. The pattern uses knit and purl stitches as base techniques, with decorative increases and decreases that incorporate yarn overs to form the shawl's characteristic lacy elements.

Materials and Specifications

The Marmel 2 is worked in DK weight yarn using Ella Rae Marmel 2 in the shade Moonstone (02). The pattern calls for a 5mm (US 8) circular needle measuring 120 centimeters in length, which accommodates the expanding stitch count as the shawl grows. Additional notions include a tapestry needle for weaving in ends and a blocking kit with steamer or steam iron for the essential finishing process. The gauge is established at 18 stitches and 25 rows over 10 centimeters in steam-blocked garter stitch, making this an important measurement for achieving the correct finished dimensions.

Difficulty Level

Rated as intermediate, this pattern assumes knitters have foundational skills in casting on, basic increases and decreases, and picking up stitches. The combination of multiple increase techniques and the shaping required throughout the pattern provides appropriate challenge for developing knitters while remaining accessible to those with solid fundamental skills.