Bojana

Bojana Shawl by Brian Smith Designs

What Is Being Made

Bojana is a knitted shawl designed as a downloadable PDF pattern by Brian Smith Designs. This intermediate-level project creates a large triangular shawl with a wingspan of 156 centimeters and a depth of 72 centimeters after blocking, making it a generous wrap suitable for layering or draping.

Knitting Techniques Used

The Bojana shawl employs several fundamental knitting techniques to achieve its structured shape and visual interest. The pattern uses increases strategically placed throughout the design to create the triangular silhouette characteristic of modern shawl construction. Yarn overs are incorporated to add decorative eyelet details, while slip stitches create a neat, finished edge. The pattern is organized into distinct sections that progressively increase in stitch count, allowing knitters to build the shawl in manageable stages.

Stitches Used

The Bojana pattern utilizes a focused selection of essential knitting stitches:

• Knit stitch (K) – the primary stitch forming the fabric base
• Purl stitch (P) – referenced in abbreviations for versatility
• Yarn forward (Yf) – creates decorative eyelet openings
• Yarn over (Yo) – generates lacy texture and shaping
• Knit front and back (Kfb) – a straightforward increase technique used repeatedly in designated rows
• Knit two together (K2tog) – a decrease stitch for shaping
• Slip stitch purlwise (Sl3) – used for edge definition
• Garter stitch – the primary stitch pattern, created by knitting every row, providing a textured, reversible fabric

Materials and Specifications

The Bojana shawl is designed to be worked in 4-ply yarn weight, specifically using Hedgehog Fibres Skinny Singles in four coordinating colorways. The pattern calls for one skein each in the following shades: (A) Copper Penny (54g, approximately 190 meters), (B) Harvest (75g, approximately 275 meters), (C) Fools Gold (60g, approximately 220 meters), and (D) Guppy (62g, approximately 230 meters). Total yardage across all colors is approximately 915 meters.

Knitting is worked on UK 3.75mm/US 5 circular needles measuring 120 centimeters in length. The circular needle accommodates the growing number of stitches as the shawl expands across its sections. Additional notions required include a tapestry needle for weaving in ends, a row counter to track progress through patterned sections, and a blocking kit to achieve the finished measurements and even out the garter stitch texture.

Gauge and Finished Dimensions

The pattern specifies a gauge of 24 stitches and 28 rows over 10 centimeters in garter stitch after blocking. Achieving accurate gauge is essential for obtaining the intended finished size. Once blocked, the Bojana shawl measures 156 centimeters across the wingspan and 72 centimeters in depth, creating a substantial triangular wrap.

Pattern Structure

The Bojana pattern is organized into clearly defined sections that build progressively. The pattern begins with a small cast-on of 11 stitches and expands through multiple sections, each containing specific row instructions with strategic increases. The initial rows establish the foundation, while subsequent sections introduce the kfb increase technique in varying quantities—five increases in early rows, ten increases in mid-sections, and twenty increases in later sections—creating an accelerating expansion that shapes the triangular silhouette. The consistent use of yarn forward and slip three stitches at the end of rows maintains a decorative, finished edge throughout the project.