Electric Storm

Electric Storm Shawl by Bronagh Miskelly

Project Overview

The Electric Storm is a semicircular shawl designed by independent knitwear designer Bronagh Miskelly. This intermediate-level knitting project showcases the dramatic colour gradients of variegated yarn through strategic construction techniques. The finished shawl measures 170cm in wingspan with a depth of 69cm, making it a substantial statement piece suitable for layering or display.

Construction Method and Shaping Techniques

This shawl employs short-row shaping with wraps and turns as its primary construction method. The garment is worked in segments, with each segment built using wedge-shaped sections. The technique involves working progressively shorter rows on the wrong side of each segment, with each row shorter than the previous one. This systematic reduction creates the characteristic wedge shapes that accumulate to form the semicircular silhouette. The wrap-and-turn method (abbreviated as W&T) is used to manage the yarn transitions at turning points, preventing gaps and maintaining fabric integrity throughout the construction process.

Stitches and Stitch Techniques

The Electric Storm utilizes fundamental knitting stitches combined with decreasing techniques to achieve its structured shape:

• Knit stitch (K) – the primary stitch forming the base fabric
• Purl stitch (P) – used in combination with knit stitches
• Knit 2 stitches together (K2tog) – a right-leaning decrease
• Slip, slip, knit through back of loop (Ssk) – a left-leaning decrease created by slipping one stitch knitwise, slipping another stitch knitwise, then knitting the two stitches together through the back of the loop
• Slip stitch (Sl) – used for stitch manipulation
• Pass slipped stitch over (Psso) – a decrease technique

The fabric is worked primarily in stocking stitch, which creates a smooth, flat surface ideal for displaying the yarn's colour variations.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The Electric Storm is designed to be worked in 4-ply weight yarn. The pattern calls for The Wool Kitchen BFL/Bamboo 4ply in the Cosmic Girl colourway, a blend of 80% superwash Bluefaced Leicester and 20% bamboo. Two 100g skeins are required, providing approximately 400 metres of yarn per 100 grams. The superwash treatment makes the finished shawl easy to care for, while the bamboo content adds subtle sheen and drape to the finished piece.

Needles and Tension

The shawl is worked on 3.5mm needles, with the pattern recommending an 80cm circular needle for working rows, which may be easier to manage than straight needles given the width of the project. The tension is set at 22 stitches and 30 rows to 10 centimetres over stocking stitch using 3.5mm needles in the unblocked state. Achieving correct tension is important for obtaining the intended finished dimensions and drape of the shawl.

Skill Level

This project is rated as intermediate difficulty. While the stitch vocabulary is relatively straightforward, the combination of short-row shaping, wrap-and-turn techniques, and segment construction requires solid foundational knitting skills and the ability to follow complex shaping instructions. Knitters should be comfortable reading pattern abbreviations and managing yarn wraps at turning points before beginning this project.