Fantasque shawl

Fantasque Shawl by Spinnerglors

What is Being Made

The Fantasque Shawl is an intermediate-level knitted shawl designed by Spinnerglors and published by Crafts at Les Landes. This downloadable PDF pattern creates a decorative wrap suitable for adding elegance to any wardrobe. The shawl is constructed using a combination of lace and short-row shaping techniques to achieve its distinctive silhouette and drape.

Yarn and Materials

This pattern requires 100 grams of sock weight wool yarn and a 100 cm (40 inch) circular needle in size 5 mm. The use of sock weight yarn—a fine, durable yarn typically used for hosiery—ensures the finished shawl will have excellent stitch definition and a refined appearance. The circular needle accommodates the large cast-on and allows for easy manipulation of stitches during the various construction phases.

Knitting Techniques and Construction Method

The Fantasque Shawl employs multiple knitting techniques to create visual interest and shape. The pattern begins with a cast-on of 262 stitches, establishing a wide foundation for the shawl's body.

The initial section uses lace patterning created through yarn overs and decreases. The foundational pattern repeats for approximately 4 inches and features:

• Yarn overs (yo) to create openwork and decorative holes
• Central decreases using slip-stitch, knit-two-together, and pass-slip-stitch-over (Sl1, K2tog, psso) to form lace motifs
• Alternating knit and purl rows to establish the lace structure

Following the lace section, the pattern transitions to short-row shaping, a technique that creates three-dimensional shaping by working back and forth on selected portions of stitches rather than across the entire width. This method involves:

• Placing a marker at the center point (after knitting 131 stitches)
• Working decreases on either side of the marked center using knit-two-together-through-back-of-loops (K2togtbl) and purl-two-together (P2tog)
• Progressively reducing stitches on each side of the marker until 34 stitches remain on each side
• Adjusting the number of stitches worked in each row to create the shaping effect

The final section continues the short-row decreasing pattern with modified stitch counts, gradually narrowing the shawl to its finished dimensions.

Stitches Used

The Fantasque Shawl pattern utilizes fundamental knitting stitches executed with precision:

• Cast-on (CO): Creates the initial 262 stitches
• Knit (K): The basic knit stitch forms the primary fabric
• Purl (P): Used in alternating rows and as part of decrease sequences
• Yarn over (yo): Creates decorative openings and lace elements
• Slip one stitch knitwise (Sl1): Used in the lace decrease sequence
• Knit two together (K2tog): A right-leaning decrease used in lace patterning
• Pass slip stitch over (psso): Completes the centered decrease in the lace pattern
• Knit two together through back of loops (K2togtbl): A left-leaning decrease used during short-row shaping
• Purl two together (P2tog): A decrease worked on wrong-side rows during shaping
• Bind off (BO): Secures the final stitches

Difficulty Level

This pattern is rated as intermediate difficulty, making it suitable for knitters with foundational skills who are ready to expand their technical repertoire. The combination of lace work and short-row shaping requires understanding of multiple techniques and the ability to follow pattern instructions carefully, but does not demand advanced skills such as three-dimensional construction or complex color work.