Filigree Shawl and Scarf

Filigree Shawl and Scarf by Michele Bernstein

What Is Being Made

The Filigree collection features two distinct knitted accessories designed by Michele Bernstein: a scarf and shawls. These pieces are variations on a unified design theme, each beginning with the same lacy filigree border pattern. The primary difference between the designs lies in the crescent shaping created through strategic short rows. The Filigree Scarf is constructed as a very wide, shallow crescent shape ideal for bandana-style wearing, while the Filigree Shawls feature a deeper crescent shaping for traditional shawl draping. All pieces are designed to use just a single 400-yard skein of fingering weight yarn, making them efficient and accessible projects.

Techniques Used

This intermediate-level knitting project employs several key techniques to achieve its elegant structure. The foundation of each piece is a lacy filigree border, which creates the delicate, openwork aesthetic characteristic of the design. Short rows are the primary shaping technique used to create the crescent silhouette that distinguishes the scarf from the shawls. Short rows allow knitters to increase depth and dimension in specific areas without adding stitches across the entire row, resulting in the graduated crescent shape. Blocking is essential to this project, as the gauge specification of 22 stitches over 4 inches in stockinette stitch is measured before blocking, indicating that the final dimensions and drape depend on proper wet or steam blocking to achieve the intended finished measurements.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The primary stitch structure used throughout the Filigree collection is stockinette stitch, which serves as the foundation for the pieces. The defining visual element is the lacy filigree border pattern, which incorporates openwork stitches to create the delicate, intricate aesthetic. This lace pattern is repeated across all variations in the collection, providing visual continuity while the short-row shaping differentiates each piece. The combination of stockinette and lace creates an elegant contrast between solid and openwork sections.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

Yarn Requirements: The Filigree Scarf requires 360 yards of fingering weight yarn. The pattern is shown worked in Hazel Knits Artisan Sock, which is composed of 90% superwash merino and 10% nylon, with a yardage of 400 yards per 120 grams (4.23 ounces). The Filigree Shawls require either 365 yards or 380 yards of fingering-weight yarn depending on the size. These shawls are shown in Knitted Wit Shine, a blend of 50% superwash merino and 50% tencel, with 410 yards per 114 grams (4 ounces). Both yarns are fingering weight, which creates the delicate fabric necessary for the filigree lace pattern.

Needle Requirements: The pattern calls for US #5 (3.75 mm) 24-inch circular needles for the main knitting, sized to obtain the specified gauge of 22 stitches over 4 inches in stockinette stitch. Additionally, US #7 (4.5 mm) 24-inch circular needles are required for the cast-on and bind-off edges. The use of two needle sizes allows for a more refined edge treatment, as the larger needles create a looser, more elastic cast-on and bind-off that prevents the edges from becoming too tight. A tapestry needle is also needed for finishing and weaving in yarn ends.

Difficulty Level

This collection is rated as intermediate difficulty, making it suitable for knitters with some experience beyond the absolute beginner level. While the stockinette stitch base is fundamental, the lacy filigree border pattern and the short-row shaping technique require intermediate skills. Knitters should be comfortable reading lace charts, managing yarn overs and decreases, and understanding how short rows function to create shaping without traditional increases and decreases across full rows.