Pantomime Shawl

Pantomime Shawl by White Orchid Knits

What is Being Made

The Pantomime Shawl is an advanced-level triangular shawl designed by White Orchid Knits. This downloadable knitting pattern produces a finished shawl measuring 67 inches wide from corner to corner along the longest edge, with a center spine of 33 inches. The design features a two-color construction, allowing knitters to create striking color contrast in the finished piece. The shawl shown in the pattern photography was knitted in We Are Knitters Finita yarn in bordeaux and natural colorways.

Techniques and Construction

The Pantomime Shawl employs several advanced knitting techniques suitable for experienced crafters. The pattern utilizes charted colorwork sections, as indicated by the reference to Pattern A charts within the instructions. The shawl is constructed using top-down triangular shaping, a common approach for corner-to-corner shawls that allows for customizable sizing through strategic increases. The design incorporates stitch markers to help track pattern repeats and shaping points throughout the knitting process. Blocking is essential to achieving the finished measurements, as the pattern specifically notes dimensions "after blocking," indicating that the shawl will be shaped and set during the finishing process.

Stitches and Stitch Techniques

The Pantomime pattern employs a range of intermediate to advanced stitches and decreasing methods:

• Stockinette stitch (St st) — the primary fabric base
• Knit and purl stitches — fundamental stitch elements
• Yarn overs (yo) — used for lace or eyelet details and shaping
• Knit two together (k2tog) — right-leaning decrease
• Slip, slip, knit (ssk) — left-leaning decrease for balanced shaping
• Purl two together (p2tog) — decrease on wrong-side rows
• Slip, slip, purl (ssp) — left-leaning decrease on purl side
• Knit two together through the back loop (k2tog tbl) — alternative decrease technique
• Two over two right cross (2/2 RC) — cable crossing for textured interest
• Slip stitches (sl) — used for edge treatment and pattern transitions

Yarn and Materials

The Pantomime Shawl requires 860 yards total of fingering-weight yarn (approximately 440 yards per 100 grams), divided equally between two colors: 430 yards of color A and 430 yards of color B. This two-color construction allows for creative color pairing and striking visual effects. The pattern was photographed using We Are Knitters Finita yarn in bordeaux and natural, demonstrating how complementary or contrasting colors can enhance the design.

Knitters will need size 5 (3.75 mm) circular needles at least 40 inches long, or the size required to obtain proper gauge. Additional notions include a tapestry needle for weaving in ends, four stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and shaping, and blocking materials to shape and set the finished shawl to its intended measurements.

Gauge

Achieving proper gauge is critical for this advanced pattern. The pattern specifies two distinct gauges: 22 stitches and 30 rows over 4 inches in stockinette stitch, and 24 stitches and 26 rows over 4 inches in Pattern A (the charted colorwork sections). Knitters should swatch both stitch patterns to ensure their tension matches these specifications before beginning the project.