500 Mile Promise

500 Mile Promise Shawl by Corrine Walcher

What is Being Made

The 500 Mile Promise is a knitted shawl designed by independent designer Corrine Walcher. This intermediate-level project creates a finished shawl measuring 18 inches by 63 inches once wet blocked. The design carries meaningful personal significance, created as a surprise gift for a bride whose wedding was delayed by the pandemic. The shawl features custom-dyed yarn in the Majestic colorway, chosen to complement bridesmaid dresses, making it a thoughtful and coordinated accessory for a wedding celebration.

Techniques and Construction

This knitted shawl employs several intermediate knitting techniques that add visual interest and sophistication to the finished piece. The pattern incorporates beading elements, requiring the use of 6/0 glass seed beads integrated throughout the design. Beading is accomplished using a beading tool—the designer recommends using a tiny crochet hook for this purpose. The shawl is worked on circular needles and requires wet blocking to achieve its final dimensions and drape, which is an essential finishing technique for revealing the full beauty of the lace and beaded elements.

Stitches Used

The 500 Mile Promise pattern utilizes fundamental and intermediate knitting stitches to create its structure:

• Knit (K) - the basic knit stitch forming the foundation of the fabric
• Purl (P) - the reverse of the knit stitch, used to create textural variation
• Knit two together (K2tog) - a right-leaning decrease stitch
• Slip, slip, knit (SSK) - a left-leaning decrease stitch
• Yarn over (YO) - creates openwork and lace elements throughout the design
• Slip two stitches as if to knit, knit one, pass slipped stitches over (S2tog-k1-p2sso) - a centered double decrease stitch

The combination of decreases and yarn overs creates the characteristic lace patterning typical of shawl designs, while the beaded elements add embellishment and visual dimension.

Materials and Specifications

Yarn: The pattern calls for Snallygaster Fibers Orion Luxe Fingering weight yarn. This luxury blend combines 50% Merino wool with 50% silk, offering both warmth and lustrous drape. The yarn is available in 100-gram skeins with 438 yards per skein. The sample shawl was knit in the Majestic colorway and required approximately 650 yards of yarn, though modification instructions are included in the pattern to adjust yardage as needed.

Needles: A 24-inch or longer circular needle in US size 5 (3.75mm) is required. Circular needles allow for the management of the increasing stitch count as the shawl expands during construction.

Gauge: The pattern specifies a gauge of 20 stitches and 22 rows in wet-blocked stockinette stitch over 4 inches. The designer notes that while gauge is not critical for this item, achieving proper gauge will affect the final yardage requirements and the overall drape of the finished shawl.

Embellishments: The pattern requires 6/0 glass seed beads for beading throughout the design, along with a beading tool of the knitter's choice.

Yarn Weight and Difficulty

The 500 Mile Promise is worked in both 3-ply and 4-ply yarn weights, with the fingering weight Snallygaster Fibers yarn falling into the lighter end of this range. This delicate yarn weight, combined with the intermediate difficulty level, makes the project suitable for knitters with some experience. The combination of lace techniques, beading, and shaping requires attention to detail and familiarity with pattern reading, making it an excellent project for advancing one's knitting skills while creating a meaningful, heirloom-quality accessory.