Froth Shawl

Froth Shawl by Vanessa Ewing

What is Being Made

The Froth Shawl is a triangular knit shawl designed as a celebration of color and texture. This intermediate-level knitting project measures 71 inches (180 cm) in width at the base and 25 inches (64 cm) at its longest point, making it a substantial accessory suitable for layering or draping. The shawl is constructed to showcase the beautiful blending of multiple yarn colors through its strategic construction method.

Techniques and Construction

The Froth Shawl features a simple repeated lace pattern that is worked with an accelerated increase throughout the project. This increase rate is deliberately designed to accentuate the visual blending of colors and shapes as the triangular form expands from the top down. The lace pattern repeats create an openwork fabric that allows light to pass through while maintaining structural integrity, a hallmark of intermediate-level lace shawl design.

Stitches Used

While the pattern centers on a repeated lace motif, the gauge is measured in stockinette stitch, indicating that stockinette forms the foundation fabric between lace repeats. The combination of lace openwork with stockinette creates visual interest and ensures the shawl drapes elegantly while maintaining shape after blocking.

Materials and Yarn Requirements

Knitters have two flexible options for constructing the Froth Shawl:

• 12 mini-skeins option: 80 yards (73 m) each of fingering weight yarn in 12 different colors, totaling approximately 960 yards with a 10% safety buffer included. The pattern was designed using Cape May Fiber Mini Sock (92 yards per 20-gram skein) in the Botanically Dyed Yarn of the Month Club colorways, requiring exactly 12 skeins total.
• 3 full-sized skeins option: 320 yards (293 m) each of fingering weight yarn in 3 different colors, totaling approximately 960 yards with buffer. This option uses Cape May Fiber Sock (463 yards per 100-gram skein) in the colors Marsh, Nudibranch, and Sea Glass.

Yarn Specifications

The recommended yarn is fingering weight with a fiber composition of 75% Superwash Merino and 25% Nylon. This blend provides durability, elasticity, and easy care properties. The superwash treatment allows for gentle machine washing, while the nylon content adds resilience to the delicate lace structure. The gauge is 22 stitches and 30 rows per 4 inches in stockinette stitch after blocking, which is typical for fingering weight yarn.

Tools and Notions

Construction requires US Size 6 (4mm) needles in a 32-inch (81 cm) circular needle configuration, a tapestry needle for weaving in ends, and scissors. The circular needle length accommodates the expanding triangular shape as stitches increase throughout the project.

Difficulty Level

Rated as intermediate, the Froth Shawl is suitable for knitters with foundational lace experience. The repeated pattern structure makes it accessible for learning or refining lace techniques, while the color-work aspect—whether through multiple mini-skeins or three coordinating colors—adds visual complexity and interest to the finished piece.