Neolithic

Neolithic Shawl by Ashley Knowlton

What is Being Made

Neolithic is a uniquely designed knitted shawl featuring a striking geometric colorwork pattern that combines simple two-color work with geometric lace elements. The shawl is versatile and customizable, allowing knitters to adjust the finished size to their preferences. The sample measures 36 inches (91.5 cm) wide and 18 inches (45.75 cm) from cast-on edge to the very tip, not including the curve of the wings.

Techniques Used

This intermediate-level shawl employs several key knitting techniques to achieve its distinctive appearance:

• Two-Color Colorwork: The pattern uses a main color and contrasting color worked together throughout the piece, creating the geometric design
• Float Management: When working stretches of more than 4 stitches in a single color, the pattern requires wrapping yarns every few stitches to secure floats behind the work and prevent loose strands
• Increases: The shawl uses M1L (make one left) and M1R (make one right) increases, with specific instructions to pick up stitches in the main color bar or float between stitches to maintain pattern integrity
• Geometric Lace: The pattern incorporates lace elements that work in harmony with the colorwork to create visual interest
• Customizable Sizing: The design allows knitters to work to any desired size by following provided customization guidelines

Stitches and Pattern Elements

The Neolithic shawl uses fundamental knitting stitches combined with colorwork techniques. The pattern requires attention to color dominance and consistent hand positioning when holding working colors. Knitters are instructed to maintain consistency with which hand holds each color throughout the piece to control how colors appear in the finished fabric. This attention to detail ensures that the contrasting color sections remain appropriately prominent without overwhelming the main color.

Materials

The Neolithic shawl is designed to work with fingering weight yarn in two colors:

• Main Color (MC): 440 yards (400 meters) of fingering weight yarn. The sample shown uses Malabrigo Sock yarn (440 yards/400 meters per 100 grams, 100% merino wool) in the colorway Abril, which is described as purple-blue
• Contrasting Color (CC): 120 yards (110 meters) of fingering weight yarn
• Yarn Weight: The pattern is suitable for both 3-ply and 4-ply fingering weight yarns, offering flexibility in yarn selection
• Needles: Appropriate needles for fingering weight yarn (specific needle size to be confirmed in complete pattern instructions)

Design Notes

The Neolithic shawl demonstrates thoughtful pattern design that balances geometric colorwork with lace elements. The pattern includes helpful tips for customizing the size to suit individual preferences, making it accessible for knitters who want to create a smaller or larger version of the sample. The emphasis on float management and color consistency reflects best practices for two-color knitting, ensuring a professional finish with even tension and proper color dominance throughout the finished piece.