40th Anniversary 04 Mixed Tide Shawl - Knitting Pattern for Women in Valley Yarns 2/10 Merino Tencel

40th Anniversary 04 Mixed Tide Shawl

Project Overview

The Mixed Tide Shawl is an elegant lace wrap designed by Janice Kang as part of the Guest Designer Series. This intermediate-level knitting pattern creates a sophisticated accessory measuring approximately 28 inches wide and 60 inches long, making it a versatile piece suitable for layering or draping.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a rectangular lace shawl worked in a seamless, flat construction. The finished wrap features intricate lace detailing throughout, creating an open, airy fabric perfect for adding texture and visual interest to any wardrobe. The shawl's generous dimensions provide ample coverage while maintaining the delicate aesthetic characteristic of lace knitting.

Knitting Techniques Used

The Mixed Tide Shawl employs several specialized knitting techniques to achieve its refined appearance:

• Lace knitting: The pattern incorporates lace stitches that create decorative openwork throughout the shawl, requiring attention to yarn overs and decreases to form the characteristic open patterns
• Seamless construction: The shawl is worked as a single continuous piece without seaming, maintaining clean lines and a polished finish
• Flat knitting: The pattern is worked flat on straight or circular needles, allowing for easy stitch counting and pattern adjustments as needed
• Specialized cast-on and bind-off methods: The pattern uses a lace cast-on technique where new stitches are twisted before placement on the left needle, creating a refined edge. The bind-off method involves slipping the first stitch and knitting stitches together through the back loops for a secure, elastic finish

Stitches and Stitch Markers

This intermediate project utilizes stockinette stitch as the base gauge reference and incorporates lace stitches with yarn overs and strategic decreases. The pattern requires 11 stitch markers to help track pattern repeats and maintain proper stitch placement throughout the lace sections, making it easier to manage the complex stitch sequences.

Yarn and Materials

The Mixed Tide Shawl is designed to showcase Valley Yarns Colrain Lace, a premium blend of 50% Merino and 50% Tencel. One cone of yarn in the Majestic Blue colorway provides approximately 1,540 total yards, with the pattern using about 700 yards to complete the finished shawl. This fiber combination offers both the warmth and elasticity of merino wool with the smooth, lustrous drape of Tencel, creating a luxurious fabric with excellent stitch definition ideal for displaying lace patterns.

Needles and Gauge

The pattern calls for US size 6 (4.00mm) straight or circular needles, or the size needed to achieve the specified gauge. The target gauge is approximately 18 stitches and 25 rows over 4 inches in stockinette stitch. Achieving proper gauge is essential for obtaining the correct finished dimensions and ensuring the lace pattern displays as intended.

Difficulty Level

Rated as an intermediate project, the Mixed Tide Shawl is suitable for knitters with foundational skills who are ready to tackle lace knitting. The combination of lace stitches, multiple stitch markers, and specialized cast-on and bind-off techniques requires focus and pattern-reading ability, making it an excellent project for developing advanced knitting skills.