Cypri

Cypri Shawl by Amanda Scheuzger

What Is Being Made

Cypri is an advanced knitted shawl designed by Amanda Scheuzger. This crescent-shaped wrap features a wingspan of 56 inches (142 cm) after blocking and a center back length of 13 inches (33 cm), making it a versatile accessory suitable for layering or wearing as a traditional shawl.

Construction Method

The shawl is knitted from the lower edge upward, utilizing a strategic construction technique that combines striped garter stitch backgrounds with traveling slipped stitches. Short rows are employed throughout the pattern to create the distinctive crescent shape, with each short row worked in a single color. This approach allows the designer to build dimension and structure without requiring wrapped stitches in the shaping sections—instead, gaps created by turning are closed using decreases.

Stitch Techniques and Color Work

Cypri showcases advanced knitting techniques suitable for experienced crafters. The pattern incorporates traveling slipped stitches worked over a striped garter stitch background, creating visual texture and interest. The color work method is efficient and practical: only one color is used per row, and when working with the contrasting color, main color stitches are slipped to carry the yarn into that row. This technique eliminates the need to cut yarn between color changes; instead, colors are carried loosely up the side edge of the piece until needed again.

Proper slipped stitch technique is essential for this design: yarn must be held to the wrong side of the knitting (yarn in back on right-side rows, yarn in front on wrong-side rows) to maintain consistent tension and appearance.

Yarn and Materials

The suggested yarn for Cypri is Shalimar Yarns Breathless, a luxurious 4-ply weight yarn that provides excellent stitch definition for the intricate slipped stitch work. Each skein contains 420 yards (384 meters) and weighs 3½ ounces (100 grams). The yarn composition—75% Superwash Merino Wool, 15% Cashmere, and 10% Silk—offers a blend of durability, softness, and subtle sheen. Two skeins in the Mole colorway (main color) are required to complete the project. The 4-ply weight allows for crisp stitch definition while remaining light and breathable, ideal for a shawl that will be worn close to the body.

Skill Level

This pattern is rated as advanced, making it best suited for knitters with solid experience in reading complex stitch patterns, managing multiple colors, and executing techniques such as traveling slipped stitches and short-row shaping. The combination of color work, slipped stitches, and short-row construction requires attention to detail and familiarity with intermediate-to-advanced knitting concepts.