Product Description
A DK-weight shawl, knit from the top/back neck down to the hem. It features easy eyelet lace patterns and bobbles for texture. Note that the lace pattern is presented in charted form ONLY. You will need approximately 615 yards of a DK-weight yarn to knit the pattern as written. The sample was knit using a 50/50 SW merino/silk blend, so if substituting yarns, be sure to choose one with a good drape and limited halo that will block well.
The blackthorn is a tree associated with strong magic in the Ogham alphabet, where it is also called Straif. It is also called sloe plum (after its inky black fruit), fairy tree, wishing thorn and mother of the woods. The berries provide food for many types of birds, who often choose to nest in its protective branches, and also were the basis for sloe gin, a tonic used for medicinal purposes or to warm one on a cold winter night.
Straif Shawl by Anne Podlesak
What is Being Made
The Straif Shawl is a triangular shaped shawl designed to be knit from the neck down. This intermediate-level knitting project features decorative lace bands and bobble details throughout the design. The finished shawl measures 60 inches (152.5 cm) in wingspan and 27 inches (68.25 cm) from back neck to hem length, making it a substantial accessory suitable for layering or draping.
Knitting Techniques Used
This shawl employs several key knitting techniques that create its distinctive appearance. The lace bands are worked using yarn overs and decreases to form openwork patterns. Bobble stitches add textural interest and three-dimensional detail throughout the design. The neck-down construction method allows the shawl to be shaped gradually as stitches are increased, creating the triangular silhouette. Blocking is an essential finishing step that helps set the lace pattern and achieve the correct gauge of 16 stitches and 22 rows over 4 inches (10 cm).
Stitches and Stitch Abbreviations
The pattern utilizes fundamental knitting stitches combined with decorative techniques:
- Knit (K) – the basic knit stitch
- Purl (P) – the basic purl stitch
- Knit through the back loop (Ktbl) – creates twisted stitches for textural variation
- Knit 2 together (K2tog) – a right-leaning decrease that reduces stitch count
- Slip, slip, knit (S2tog-K1-Psso) – a centered double decrease used in lace sections
- Make bobble (MB) – a multi-step technique that involves knitting and purling into a single stitch, then decreasing back down to create a raised bobble texture
- Yarn over (yo) – creates the openwork holes characteristic of lace patterns
Materials and Yarn Specifications
The Straif Shawl is designed to be knitted with Wooly Wonka Fibers Nimue DK yarn, a 50/50 blend of superwash merino wool and silk. This yarn weight is classified as DK (double knit), which is a medium-weight yarn ideal for creating drape and definition in lace work. Each skein contains 230 yards and weighs 100 grams. The sample shown in the pattern was knitted in the Murky Depths colorway and required three skeins to complete as written. The silk content contributes to the yarn's lustrous appearance and fluid drape, while the superwash merino provides durability and easy care.
Needles and Notions
A US size 7 (4.5 mm) circular needle measuring 32 inches or longer is required to accommodate the large number of stitches that accumulate as the shawl grows from the neck down. The longer circular needle length is essential for comfortable knitting and to prevent stitches from becoming cramped. Needle size may be adjusted as needed to achieve the correct gauge. Additional notions required include stitch markers to help track pattern repeats and a darning needle for weaving in ends after the shawl is complete.
```Specifications
| Brand: | Independent Designer |
| Yarn Weight: | DK |
| Pages: | 8 |
| Designer: | Anne Podlesak |
| Craft: | Knitting |
| Format: | Downloadable PDF |
| Languages: | English |
| Number of Patterns: | 1 |
| Skill Level: | Intermediate |
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