Bryum

Bryum Knitted Shawl by Bérangère Cailliau

What is Being Made

Bryum is a fingering weight knitted shawl designed by Bérangère Cailliau. This rectangular shawl measures 50cm by 180cm when blocked, making it a versatile accessory suitable for layering or draping. The shawl is constructed using a side-to-side knitting method, which creates a unique directional fabric and allows for creative color play throughout the project.

Knitting Techniques

The Bryum shawl employs several fundamental knitting techniques that make it accessible to beginner knitters while maintaining visual interest. The primary construction method is side-to-side knitting, where the shawl is worked horizontally from one short end to the other rather than from top to bottom. This approach offers practical advantages, including the ability to try on the shawl as you work and easier row counting.

The design features color work with striping, incorporating two distinct yarn colors that alternate throughout the pattern. This two-color striping technique adds depth and visual complexity without requiring advanced colorwork skills like intarsia or fair isle. The alternation between solid color sections and textured stitch sections creates a dynamic appearance while keeping the knitting process engaging and straightforward.

Stitches Used

Bryum utilizes basic knitting stitches suitable for beginner-level projects:

• Garter stitch – the foundation stitch worked throughout much of the shawl, created by knitting every row to produce a reversible, textured fabric
• Knit (k) – the fundamental stitch used in garter stitch sections
• Purl (p) – used in combination with knit stitches to create textured stitch variations
• Knit front and back (kfb) – an increase technique for shaping
• Knit 2 together (k2tog) – a decrease technique for shaping
• Slip stitch (sl st) – used for edge definition and stitch management

The pattern specifies alternating sections of garter stitch with textured stitches, where the textured sections likely incorporate purl stitches in combination with knit stitches to create visual interest and dimension.

Materials and Gauge

Bryum is designed for fingering weight yarn, though the pattern attributes list it as 4-ply weight, which falls within the fingering weight category. The pattern recommends several high-quality yarn options: The Uncommon Thread Everyday, Malabrigo Sock, or Graine de Laine Pimprenelle. Knitters will need approximately 400 meters of fingering weight yarn in the primary color and 250 meters in a secondary color, totaling around 650 meters for the complete project.

The shawl is worked on 3.5mm (US4) needles, which are appropriately sized for fingering weight yarn. The recommended gauge is 22 stitches and 40 rows over a 10cm by 10cm swatch when worked in garter stitch with the specified needles and blocked. Achieving proper gauge is essential for obtaining the intended finished dimensions of 50cm by 180cm.

Skill Level and Project Characteristics

Classified as a beginner-friendly project, Bryum introduces knitters to fundamental techniques without overwhelming complexity. The side-to-side construction, combined with straightforward stitch patterns and simple color changes, makes this an ideal project for knitters developing their foundational skills. The alternation between garter stitch and textured stitch sections maintains engagement throughout the knitting process, preventing the monotony that can accompany projects worked entirely in a single stitch.