Ultra Violets

Ultra Violets Shawl by Claire Slade

What is Being Made

Ultra Violets is a striking triangular shawl design created by independent designer Claire Slade. This knitted shawl measures 62 inches wide by 26 inches at its deepest point (157 x 66 centimeters), making it a generous accessory suitable for draping across shoulders or wearing as a wrap. The design showcases bold colorwork through a two-color construction, allowing crafters to customize the visual impact by selecting contrasting hues from opposite sides of the color wheel, pairing a bright shade with a neutral tone, or choosing two shades of the same color for a more understated appearance.

Techniques and Stitches Used

This intermediate-level knitting project employs a minimalist stitch vocabulary, utilizing only knit and slip stitches throughout the construction. The pattern specifically features garter stitch mosaic as the primary technique, which creates the visual flower motifs through strategic color changes. Slip stitches are worked purlwise, with the yarn positioned at the back of the work on right-side rows, allowing each stitch to be slipped individually while keeping the yarn tension loose. This mosaic knitting approach builds pattern and texture through the interplay of knit stitches and slipped stitches in alternating colors, creating the distinctive floral design without requiring complex stitch manipulations.

Materials and Gauge

Ultra Violets is designed to be worked in 4-ply or fingering weight yarn, a lightweight option that creates refined drape and definition in the finished shawl. The pattern requires approximately 415 yards (380 meters) of main color yarn and 300 yards (275 meters) of contrast color yarn. Crafters will need 3.5mm needles (US size 4) to achieve the correct gauge of 28 stitches by 46 rows over 4 inches (10 centimeters) in blocked garter stitch mosaic. The original design sample was created using Piratenwolle Sockenwolle yarn in the shades Grau for the main color and Neon Gelb for the contrast color, demonstrating the striking effect possible with a neutral base and vibrant accent.