Hildina

Hildina Knitted Shawl by Lucy Hague

What is Being Made

Hildina is a top-down triangular shawl designed by Lucy Hague, featuring elegant lace edging with Estonian-style motifs. This downloadable knitting pattern creates a versatile accessory that can be customized in size and yardage requirements to suit individual preferences. The finished shawl measures 46 inches (117 cm) along the neck edge and extends 24 inches (70 cm) from the neck edge to the centre point.

Knitting Techniques and Construction

The Hildina shawl employs a top-down construction method, which allows knitters to work from the neck edge outward toward the point. This approach provides flexibility in customizing the final size without requiring precise yardage planning from the start. The shawl features a lace edging with Estonian-style motifs, a traditional technique that adds visual interest and delicate detailing to the piece.

The edging design offers two variations: long points or shorter points, giving knitters creative control over the shawl's final appearance. The main body is worked in stocking stitch, a fundamental knitting stitch that creates a smooth, classic fabric suitable for showcasing the lace edging details.

Stitches and Stitch Techniques

The pattern utilizes several key stitches and techniques:

• Stocking stitch – forms the primary fabric of the shawl body, creating a smooth, V-shaped texture
• Lace stitches – incorporated into the Estonian-style motif edging for decorative openwork effects
• Slip, knit, pass slipped stitch over (sl1k2psso) – a decrease technique used in lace and shaping
• 3-into-7 decrease – a specialized technique where 3 stitches are knitted together without dropping them from the left needle, creating unique stitch manipulation

Materials and Tools

The Hildina shawl is worked on 5.0 mm/US size 8 needles, with long circular needles recommended for managing the increasing stitch count as the shawl grows from the top down. The pattern accommodates DK weight or light worsted yarn, requiring between 250 and 310 yards (229 to 283 meters) depending on customization choices. The sample pictured uses Baa Ram Ewe Dovestone DK in the shade Rhubarb, utilizing one skein of 252 yards (230 meters).

Additional materials include waste yarn in a contrasting colour for provisional cast-on, four stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and shaping points, and a darning needle for weaving in ends after completion.

Gauge and Customization

The pattern specifies a gauge of 16 stitches and 29 rows over 4 inches (10 cm) in stocking stitch after blocking. However, gauge is noted as non-essential for this design, as the shawl's size can be easily customized by working additional or fewer pattern repeats. This flexibility makes Hildina an excellent choice for knitters working with different yarn weights or those seeking a specific finished size.

Difficulty Level

Hildina is rated as an intermediate knitting project, suitable for knitters with foundational skills who are ready to work with lace patterns, Estonian-style motifs, and specialized decrease techniques. The top-down construction and customizable nature of the pattern make it accessible while still offering opportunities to develop advanced lace-working abilities.