Stola Brixen

Stola Brixen by Bunte Fussel

What is Being Made

The Stola Brixen is a triangular shawl designed by Bunte Fussel, a German independent knitwear designer. This downloadable knitting pattern creates a generous wrap measuring 220 centimeters by 75 centimeters, making it a versatile accessory suitable for layering or draping. The shawl is worked from the top long edge downward, creating a classic triangular silhouette that gradually increases in width as you progress through the pattern.

Craft and Techniques

This is an intermediate-level knitting project that employs fundamental shawl construction methods. The pattern utilizes directional edge techniques where the right and left borders are worked as mirror images of each other, requiring the knitter to read the stitch chart in opposite directions for each side. This symmetrical approach creates a balanced, professional finish on both edges of the finished shawl.

The central pattern section features a combination of twisted stitches and strategic decreases that shape the triangular form. Twisted stitches—worked both on the forward and return rows—add textural interest and prevent the fabric from appearing flat. The decrease sequences, including two-stitch decreases and three-stitch decreases, are distributed throughout the pattern to control the shawl's expansion and create subtle shaping.

Stitches Used

• Twisted stitches (rechts verschränkt / links verschränkt): Stitches worked through the back loop to create a crossed, textured appearance on both right-side and wrong-side rows
• Two-stitch decreases: Paired decreases that reduce stitch count by one stitch per decrease, worked as knit decreases on forward rows and purl decreases on return rows
• Three-stitch decreases: Multiple-stitch decreases that create more pronounced shaping in the pattern
• Slip stitches and pass-overs: A technique where one stitch is slipped, one stitch is knitted, and the slipped stitch is passed over the knitted stitch to create a decorative decrease
• Edge stitches (Randmasche): Selvage stitches maintained at the borders to ensure neat, finished edges

Materials

The Stola Brixen requires 1200 meters of 4-ply gradient yarn in the colorway Olivia, produced by Bunte Fussel. The yarn composition is 50% cotton and 50% polyacrylic, offering a blend of natural fiber breathability with synthetic durability and easy care. The 4-ply weight provides a lightweight, drapable fabric ideal for shawl construction.

Knitting is worked on 4.0 millimeter circular needles, which accommodate the large cast-on of 531 stitches and allow for comfortable manipulation of the growing fabric throughout the project.