Meriad

Meriad Knitted Shawl by Atalante

What is Being Made

Meriad is a fingering weight knitted shawl designed by Atalante, an independent knitwear designer. Named after a druid character from Dungeons and Dragons, this shawl celebrates nature-inspired design with leaf and green motifs. The finished shawl measures 160×60 cm (63×23.5 inches), making it a generous triangular wrap suitable for layering or wearing as a statement accessory.

Construction Technique

This shawl features an unusual construction method that sets it apart from traditional shawl patterns. Rather than working from the top down or bottom up, Meriad is worked from the middle outward to the sides, with the main body and border knitted in one continuous piece. This approach creates a unique fabric structure and seamless integration between the shawl body and its edging. After the knitted piece is completed and blocked, embroidered lines are added to enhance the design, creating additional texture and visual interest.

Stitches and Techniques

The pattern is worked primarily in stockinette stitch, which creates a smooth, classic fabric base. The gauge is 32 stitches and 23 rows per 10cm (4 inch) square in stockinette stitch. Beyond basic knitting stitches, this project incorporates embroidery as a finishing technique. The designer recommends embroidering while the shawl remains on the blocking surface, as this maintains even tension and makes it easier to see individual stitches for precise embroidery placement.

Materials and Tools

• Yarn: 525.8 meters (575.0 yards) of fingering weight yarn in one 150g skein. The pattern is shown in Wollmeise pure Pinie, a high-quality fingering weight yarn
• Needles: 3.5mm (US size 4) needles for working the main fabric
• Additional tools: Tapestry needle for embroidery and weaving in ends, and 2 stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats

Difficulty Level

Meriad is rated as an intermediate knitting project. While the stockinette stitch base is accessible to knitters with foundational skills, the unusual center-out construction method and the embroidery finishing technique require intermediate-level understanding of shawl architecture and embellishment methods.

Designer Information

This pattern is designed by Atalante, an independent knitwear designer. The pattern is available as a downloadable PDF for personal use only, with commercial use strictly prohibited.