Wild Sea

Wild Sea Shawl by Gretha Mensen

What Is Being Made

Wild Sea is an asymmetrical knitted shawl designed by independent designer Gretha Mensen. This downloadable PDF pattern creates a finished shawl measuring approximately 79 inches (200 cm) across the wingspan along the top edge and 27.5 inches (70 cm) in width. The shawl features a built-in I-cord edge and is worked flat from the right tip, making it an elegant and richly textured accessory suitable for various fiber choices and styling preferences.

Techniques and Construction

Wild Sea employs several advanced knitting techniques to achieve its distinctive aesthetic. The pattern combines cables and half-brioche stitches to create a fascinating wave pattern that visually evokes gusts of wind whipping across ocean waters. The cables naturally form a wave along one edge of the shawl; however, crafters have the option to block this edge straight if they prefer a more refined appearance rather than a rustic finish. The shawl's asymmetrical design is complemented by panels of garter stitch, which provides soothing visual regularity and textural contrast to the more intricate decorative sections.

Stitches Used

• Cables
• Half-brioche stitch
• Garter stitch
• I-cord edging

Gauge and Yarn Weight

Wild Sea is worked in DK weight yarn. The pattern provides blocked gauge measurements for reference: in the half-brioche and cable pattern sections, the gauge is 20 stitches by 28 rows over 4 inches (10 cm); in garter stitch sections, the gauge is 15 stitches by 28 rows over the same measurement. The pattern notes that gauge is not crucial for this design, though adjustments to gauge will affect the final size and yardage requirements. This flexibility makes Wild Sea adaptable to various yarn choices and allows crafters to customize their finished shawl dimensions.

Materials

This pattern is suitable for DK weight yarn in any fiber of your choice. The sample shown was created using West Wool in the color 'Pebble,' demonstrating how the intricate cable and brioche pattern work beautifully with a neutral, natural-fiber palette. The pattern is suitable for intermediate-level knitters and is provided as a downloadable PDF format for easy reference during construction.

Difficulty Level

Wild Sea is rated as an intermediate knitting project, making it appropriate for knitters with foundational skills who are ready to expand their technical repertoire with cables and brioche stitching techniques.