Lonthrik

Lonthrik Shawl by Brian Smith Designs

Project Overview

Lonthrik is an intermediate-level knitted shawl designed by Brian Smith Designs. This downloadable PDF pattern creates a crescent-shaped shawl using a two-color striping technique with Lion brand yarns. The finished piece measures approximately 140 centimeters along the inner arc and 264 centimeters along the outer arc, making it a generously sized accessory suitable for layering or draping.

What Is Being Made

The Lonthrik shawl is a curved, crescent-shaped wrap knitted in the round using circular needles. The design features a color-blocked construction with alternating stripes of two complementary yarn shades, creating visual interest and depth in the finished garment. The shawl's generous dimensions and curved silhouette make it versatile for various styling options.

Yarn and Materials

This pattern calls for Lion brand yarns in the Shawl in a Ball format, which combines multiple colors in a single ball for convenient color changes. The project requires:

• 1 ball of Lion brand Shawl in a Ball, shade Restful Rainbow (Color A)
• 1 ball of Lion brand Shawl in a Ball, shade Healing Teal (Color B)
• One 120-centimeter circular needle in UK size 4.5mm (US size 7)
• Aran-weight yarn throughout
• Tapestry needle for weaving in ends
• Stitch marker for tracking pattern repeats
• Blocking kit and steamer for finishing

Knitting Techniques Used

The Lonthrik pattern employs several intermediate-level knitting techniques that add sophistication and shaping to the design. Short-row shaping is a primary construction method, allowing the shawl to curve and create its distinctive crescent form without increasing stitch counts dramatically. This technique involves wrapping stitches and turning the work before completing a full row, gradually building the curved silhouette.

The pattern also incorporates color striping, alternating between two yarn colors in a two-row repeat pattern. This creates visual rhythm and makes the color changes manageable throughout the knitting process. The two-color approach adds depth without requiring complex colorwork techniques like intarsia or Fair Isle.

Circular needle knitting is used throughout, allowing for seamless construction and the ability to work in the round or flat as the pattern requires. The 120-centimeter circular needle provides adequate length for managing the increasing number of stitches as the shawl expands.

Stitches and Abbreviations

The Lonthrik pattern uses fundamental knitting stitches combined with shaping techniques. The core stitches include:

• Knit (K): The basic knit stitch forming the primary fabric
• Purl (P): Used in reverse stockinette sections to create textural contrast
• Yarn Over (YO): Creates decorative eyelets or lace elements
• Knit Two Together (K2tog): A right-leaning decrease for shaping
• Slip Slip Knit (SSK): A left-leaning decrease for balanced shaping
• Make One Left (M1L): An increase stitch for adding stitches invisibly
• Wrap and Turn (W&T): The short-row technique essential to creating the shawl's curved shape

The pattern begins with a cast-on of 36 stitches and uses garter stitch (knit every row) for the initial four rows, creating a stable foundation. The main body transitions to stockinette stitch with purl borders, maintaining 4 edge stitches in garter stitch on each side for neat selvage edges.

Gauge and Finished Measurements

The pattern is designed to be blocked to a gauge of 18 stitches and 14 rows over 10 centimeters in stockinette stitch. Accurate gauge is important for achieving the intended finished dimensions. After gentle steam blocking, the completed shawl measures approximately 140 centimeters along the inner arc and 264 centimeters along the outer arc, creating a substantial wrap suitable for various occasions.

Difficulty Level

Lonthrik is rated as an intermediate knitting project. While it uses fundamental stitches