Sointu Triangular Shawl in Novita Baby Merino - Downloadable PDF

Sointu Triangular Shawl in Novita Baby Merino – Free Knitting Pattern (Downloadable PDF)

The Sointu Triangular Shawl is an elegant, large-format lace shawl designed by Sari Nordlund and knitted in Novita Baby Merino yarn. Available as a free downloadable PDF, this pattern is rated challenging within the intermediate-to-advanced knitting range, making it a rewarding project for knitters who are comfortable with lace charts, markers, and shaping techniques. The finished shawl is a generous, wearable accessory with a height at the midpoint of approximately 70 cm / 28 in and a top edge width of approximately 155 cm / 61 in — substantial enough to wrap around the shoulders or drape dramatically over the back.

What Is Being Made

The Sointu is a classic triangular shawl, a timeless shape in hand knitting that fans out from a central spine or corner point to create a wide, sweeping silhouette. Triangular shawls of this style are typically begun at one corner or along a short cast-on edge and gradually increased to full width, making every row slightly longer than the last. The result is a piece that drapes beautifully and can be worn in multiple ways — as a shoulder wrap, a neck scarf, or a decorative layer over outerwear. The Sointu shawl is knitted in one size, so no sizing adjustments are required.

Construction and Techniques

The construction of the Sointu shawl begins with a cast on of 5 stitches, followed by 6 rows of garter stitch to form a small rectangular anchor at the corner. From this foundation, stitches are picked up and knitted along the side edges of the initial rectangle — first 3 stitches on the wrong side row, then 3 more on the right side row — building the shawl outward in a structured, geometric way. This pick-up technique is a hallmark of corner-start or modular shawl construction and creates a neat, seamless transition from the cast-on edge into the body of the shawl.

Once the initial stitches are established, stitch markers are placed to divide the work into distinct sections, each governed by its own chart. The pattern then introduces two separate lace charts — Chart I and Chart II — which are worked simultaneously on either side of a central garter stitch spine. Each right-side row produces 4 stitch increases, steadily widening the triangular shape. Wrong-side rows are worked in a complementary manner to maintain the lace structure. This mirrored, symmetrical approach to lace placement is characteristic of well-engineered shawl design and gives the Sointu its balanced, refined appearance.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns Used

• Garter stitch — used for the cast-on section, the border edges, and the central spine stitch between the two lace panels; garter stitch adds texture, prevents curling, and provides a stable frame for the lace motifs
• Lace pattern from Chart I — worked on one side of the central marker, creating an openwork motif through a combination of yarn-overs and decreases
• Lace pattern from Chart II — worked as a mirror or complementary panel on the opposite side of the central marker, maintaining the symmetrical triangular shape
• Pick up and knit — used at the beginning of construction to gather stitches from the edges of the garter stitch rectangle
• Marker placement and slipping — essential for keeping the lace sections and garter borders correctly aligned throughout the shawl

Materials – Yarn and Needles

The Sointu Triangular Shawl is knitted in Novita Baby Merino, a 4-ply (fingering weight) yarn that is well suited to delicate lace knitting. The pattern calls for the following colorways:

• Novita Baby Merino (326) Silver Willow — 200 g (the primary color)
• Novita Baby Merino (011) White — some amount