Snowdrift

Snowdrift Knit Shawl by Susan Pandorf

What is Being Made

Snowdrift is a elegant knit stole designed by Susan Pandorf, featuring a luxurious blend of white wool and silk. This rectangular shawl measures 16 inches wide by 72 inches long when blocked, making it a versatile accessory suitable for draping across shoulders or wearing as a lightweight wrap. The design captures the delicate beauty of freshly fallen snow through its construction and fiber choice.

Yarn and Materials

This intermediate-level knitting project requires 3 skeins (780 yards total) of ARTYARNS Silk Rhapsody Glitter or comparable dk/light worsted weight yarn. The combination of wool and silk creates a lustrous, elegant fabric with natural drape. Knitters will also need US size 7 needles and a cable needle to complete the stole.

Knitting Techniques and Stitches

The Snowdrift stole employs several fundamental and intermediate knitting techniques. The project begins with a K1, P1 ribbing foundation worked over two rows, which provides structure and elasticity at the edges. The main body of the shawl is constructed using a charted pattern that is repeated across the width of the piece. The stole is knit in one piece from end to end, with the first and last two stitches of each row worked in garter stitch (knit stitch) to create finished selvage edges. The inclusion of a cable needle in the materials list suggests that cable stitches or twisted stitch techniques are incorporated into the pattern chart, adding textural interest and visual depth to the design.

Construction and Pattern Details

The pattern begins with casting on 78 stitches. After completing the ribbed foundation, knitters follow a detailed chart that is worked repeatedly across the width. The charting system uses a red line as a reference marker to indicate which stitches repeat, with rows worked from right to left according to standard knitting chart conventions. This systematic approach allows for consistent pattern repeats across the full width of the stole.

Gauge and Finished Dimensions

The project is worked to a gauge of 4 stitches per 1 inch when blocked. This gauge measurement is taken after blocking, which is an important finishing step that sets the stitches and allows the shawl to reach its full intended dimensions of 16 inches wide by 72 inches long.

Difficulty Level

Rated as an intermediate knitting project, Snowdrift is suitable for knitters with foundational skills who are ready to work with charted patterns and cable techniques. The combination of ribbing, garter stitch edges, and patterned sections provides a balanced learning experience.