Full Fade Hap

Full Fade Hap Shawl by Susanne Visch

What is Being Made

The Full Fade Hap is a triangular shawl designed by independent designer Susanne Visch, inspired by the traditional shawl-making heritage of the Shetland Isles. This downloadable knitting pattern creates a cozy, wrap-style shawl perfect for layering on chilly days. The design showcases hand-dyed yarn from AG2N Hand Dyed Yarns, featuring distinctive color fading throughout the piece that gives the shawl its name and visual appeal.

Construction and Techniques

The Full Fade Hap employs a sophisticated multi-stage construction method rooted in traditional Shetland shawl-making techniques. The shawl begins at one corner of a center square, worked flat on the bias. Yarn overs are strategically placed at the beginning of each row to create gradual increases, allowing the center square to grow until it reaches the desired size. The construction then reverses, with decreases worked to shape the piece.

Once the center square is complete, stitches are picked up along the edges to begin the border sections. Each color band features its own distinct lace patterning, creating visual interest and showcasing the fade yarn's color transitions. The shawl is finished with a gorgeous edging that is knitted sideways and attached to the live stitches of the border as it is being worked, a hallmark technique of traditional Shetland shawl design.

Stitches Used

The pattern utilizes fundamental knitting stitches including yarn overs for lace work and increases, combined with decreases to shape the center square. The specific lace patterns vary across each color band of the border, creating textural variety throughout the finished shawl.

Yarn and Materials

The Full Fade Hap is worked in AG2N Hand Dyed Yarns Softy Sock Fingering weight yarn. The pattern accommodates both 3-ply and 4-ply yarn weights, offering flexibility for knitters selecting their materials. The hand-dyed nature of the yarn creates the signature fade effect that defines this design.

Difficulty Level

Rated as intermediate difficulty, this pattern suits knitters with foundational skills who are ready to explore more complex construction methods and lace techniques. The traditional Shetland shawl construction and multi-stage process require attention to detail and understanding of shaping principles.