Sea Glass

Sea Glass Shawl by Aspen Knits

Project Overview

Sea Glass is an intermediate-level knitted shawl designed by Aspen Knits. This downloadable PDF pattern creates a finished shawl measuring 16 inches by 67 inches (41 cm by 170 cm), making it an elegant accessory suitable for layering or draping. The design features color work using two contrasting colors of DK weight yarn, offering knitters an opportunity to explore colorwork techniques while creating a wearable finished piece.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a rectangular shawl worked on long circular needles. The shawl's generous length of 67 inches allows for versatile styling options, while the 16-inch width provides substantial coverage without excessive bulk. The two-color construction creates visual interest through strategic color placement throughout the design.

Techniques Used

Sea Glass incorporates several intermediate knitting techniques that build foundational colorwork skills. The pattern employs color stranding, where knitters work with two colors of yarn simultaneously. Crafters have flexibility in their approach: yarn can be carried up the side of the work between color sections, or colors can be cut and woven in as needed. The pattern notes emphasize proper tension when carrying yarn to maintain an even, unstretched edge.

The shawl features a dedicated Sea Glass Pattern section that uses color indicators within the written instructions. Row-by-row guidance specifies which color to use, with color information noted in parentheses after each row number. This systematic approach makes following the color work straightforward for intermediate knitters.

Stitches Used

The pattern utilizes essential knitting stitches and techniques:

• Knit (K) and Purl (P) stitches form the foundation of the stockinette stitch base
• Knit front and back (kfb) and purl front and back (pfb) for increases
• Knit 2 together (k2tog) for right-leaning decreases
• Slip, slip, knit (ssk) for left-leaning decreases
• Slip 2 knitwise, knit 1, pass slip stitch over (s2kp) for centered double decreases
• Yarn overs (yo) for creating decorative openwork elements
• Slip stitches (sl) worked knitwise for edge shaping

The pattern is worked primarily in stockinette stitch, which is created by alternating knit rows on the right side with purl rows on the wrong side. This classic stitch creates a smooth, refined fabric ideal for showcasing the two-color design.

Materials Required

The Sea Glass pattern requires 2 skeins each of two contrasting colors of DK weight yarn, totaling 230 yards per color for a complete shawl. The recommended yarn is SewHappyJane Delightful DK, though any DK weight yarn in contrasting colors will work.

Knitting needles needed are US Size 7 (4.5 mm) long circular needles. Long circular needles accommodate the width of the shawl comfortably and allow for the color carrying technique described in the pattern. The gauge is 18 stitches over 4 inches (10 cm) in stockinette stitch, which is typical for DK weight yarn at this needle size.

Additional notions include a tapestry needle for weaving in ends and securing the finished piece. The tapestry needle is essential for managing the yarn ends created either through color changes or the cut-and-weave method of color management.

Pattern Structure

The PDF includes comprehensive abbreviations and pattern notes to guide knitters through the construction. Detailed instructions specify right side (RS) and wrong side (WS) orientation, helping knitters maintain proper fabric direction. The color-coding system integrated into the row-by-row instructions eliminates confusion about when to switch colors, making this intermediate project accessible to knitters building their colorwork skills.