Angelfish

Angelfish Knit Shawl by Gege à la Gomme

What is Being Made

Angelfish is a crescent-shaped knit shawl offered in two sizes, designed by independent designer Gege à la Gomme. This versatile accessory is specifically engineered to showcase highly variegated yarns while maintaining visual appeal in solid-color options. The shawl accommodates a range of finished dimensions from approximately 32 to 50 inches (81 to 127 centimeters), making it suitable for various styling preferences and body types.

Techniques and Construction Methods

This advanced-level knitting project employs several specialized techniques to achieve its distinctive crescent silhouette and textured surface:

• Garter tab cast on: The foundation method that establishes the initial stitches for the shawl's structure
• Simple lace: Openwork patterning integrated throughout the design to create visual interest and reduce overall weight
• Purl one below: A specialized stitch technique that adds dimensional texture by working into the row below the current working row

Stitches and Abbreviations Used

The pattern utilizes fundamental knitting stitches combined with intermediate-level modifications:

• k (knit): Basic knit stitch forming the primary fabric
• p (purl): Purl stitch creating textural contrast
• k2tog (knit two stitches together): Decrease stitch reducing stitch count for shaping
• p-b (purl one below): Textured stitch worked into the previous row
• sl1 (slip one stitch purlwise): Stitch slipped with yarn held on wrong side for clean edges
• skp (slip, knit, pass): Decrease technique where a slipped stitch passes over a knit stitch
• BO (bind off): Cast-off technique securing final stitches
• CO (cast on): Initial stitch establishment

Materials and Tools Required

Yarn: The pattern calls for Malabrigo Rios, a 100% merino wool yarn with a worsted weight classification. Yardage requirements vary by size: the small shawl requires 1 skein (210 yards/192 meters per 100 grams/3.5 ounces), while the large version requires 2 skeins. Sample colorways shown include Arco Iris and Liquid Ambar.

Needles and Notions: One US 8 (5 millimeter) circular needle measuring approximately 32 to 50 inches is required to accommodate the increasing stitch count. Additional tools include 14 stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and a tapestry needle for weaving in yarn ends during finishing.

Pattern Difficulty and Skill Level

While classified as advanced overall, the pattern itself is noted as intermediate difficulty, making it accessible to experienced knitters who have mastered basic techniques and are ready to explore lace construction and specialized shaping methods. The combination of garter tab cast-on, lace patterning, and the purl-one-below technique requires attention to detail and pattern reading proficiency.