Goldfish Shawl

Goldfish Shawl by Yuki Ueda

What is Being Made

The Goldfish Shawl is an advanced-level triangular knitted shawl designed by Yuki Ueda. This top-down construction creates a sophisticated accessory measuring 63 inches wide by 32 inches deep along the center spine after blocking. The shawl is worked in lace weight yarn, resulting in an elegant, delicate finished piece suitable for experienced knitters.

Knitting Techniques Used

This pattern employs several advanced knitting techniques characteristic of lace shawl construction. The shawl begins with a garter tab cast-on, a common method for starting top-down triangular shawls. The design incorporates multiple lace patterns worked in the round using increases to expand the triangular shape progressively from the top.

Key techniques include yarn overs for creating the lace openwork, decreases such as ssk (slip, slip, knit) and k2tog (knit two together) for shaping, and cdd (central double decrease) for more complex lace motifs. The pattern requires careful attention to stitch placement and pattern repeats, making it suitable for advanced knitters comfortable reading lace charts.

Stitches and Lace Patterns

The Goldfish Shawl features two distinct lace patterns that form the body of the shawl:

• Bubble Lace pattern — creates textured openwork sections with a gauge of 18 stitches by 32 rows over 4 inches in the Bubble Lace pattern after blocking
• Waterweed pattern — adds flowing, organic lace elements to the design

Following these central patterns, a Fishtail edging completes the shawl with additional twists and decorative elements that frame the lace body. The pattern uses standard knitting abbreviations including yarn overs, decreases, and knit/purl stitches worked from charts for precise lace construction.

Materials and Notions

Yarn: The pattern calls for Candy Skein Yummy Lace in colorway Cherry, requiring 1 skein (875 yards/800 meters per 100 grams). Alternatively, approximately 720 yards or 660 meters of any lace weight yarn will work, though yardage may affect final measurements.

Needles and Tools: A 4.0mm (US size 6) circular needle measuring 32 inches or longer is required, or the size needed to obtain correct gauge. Additional notions include 4 stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats, 2 cable needles (optional), a tapestry needle for weaving in ends, and blocking tools for finishing.

Gauge is measured at 18 stitches by 32 rows over 4 inches in the Bubble Lace pattern after blocking. While gauge is noted as not critical, it will affect yarn requirements and finished measurements of the completed shawl.

Design Details

This is Goldfish Shawl version 1.1, originally designed in 2013 by Yuki Ueda. The pattern is provided as a downloadable PDF, making it accessible for knitters worldwide. The combination of Bubble and Waterweed lace patterns with the decorative Fishtail edging creates a sophisticated, nature-inspired shawl suitable for special occasions or as a refined everyday accessory.