Jamberry Shawl

Jamberry Shawl by Danielle Chalson

What is Being Made

The Jamberry Shawl is an elegant crescent-shaped shawl designed by Danielle Chalson. This downloadable knitting pattern creates a sophisticated accessory measuring at least 71 inches (180 cm) wide along the neck edge and at least 16½ inches (42 cm) deep at the center neck. The shawl features a two-color design that combines complementary hues for visual interest and depth.

Construction Method and Techniques

The Jamberry Shawl is worked flat from the top down in one continuous piece, beginning with a traditional garter tab. This construction method allows knitters to try on the shawl as it grows and customize the final length if desired. The pattern incorporates two primary knitting techniques throughout:

• Arrowhead Lace: Delicate lace sections create an airy, openwork design that forms the visual focal point of the shawl
• Slip Stitch Colorwork: Rows of slip stitch colorwork intersperse the lace sections, allowing the two complementary colors to create pattern and texture without the complexity of traditional stranded colorwork

The slip stitch colorwork technique is particularly suited to this project because it maintains consistent tension and prevents the fabric from becoming too dense, which is essential when working with delicate laceweight yarns.

Stitches Used

While the pattern emphasizes arrowhead lace and slip stitch colorwork as primary design elements, the foundational garter tab uses basic knit stitches. The lace sections employ yarn overs and decreases to create the characteristic openwork patterns. Slip stitches are used in the colorwork rows to carry the non-working color across the fabric without creating floats, making this technique ideal for lace-weight projects where bulk must be minimized.

Yarn and Materials

The Jamberry Shawl offers flexibility in yarn choice, accommodating two different yarn weights:

• Laceweight yarn held doubled: Requires 1,050 yards (960 m) for the main color (MC) and 375 yards (345 m) for the contrasting color (CC), totaling approximately 1,425 yards. The pattern is shown knit in Malabrigo Lace, a 100% Merino wool yarn that provides 470 yards per approximately 50 grams (1.75 oz). The sample features "Pink Frost" as the main color and "Fuchsia" as the contrasting color.
• Fingering-weight yarn held single: Requires 625 yards (575 m) for the main color and 175 yards (160 m) for the contrasting color, totaling approximately 800 yards. This option allows knitters to use fingering-weight yarn without doubling, creating a lighter fabric.

Merino wool yarn, as used in the sample, provides excellent elasticity and drape, essential qualities for a lace shawl that will be worn close to the body. The yarn's natural properties allow the delicate lace stitches to bloom and open up after blocking, revealing the full beauty of the arrowhead lace pattern.

Difficulty Level

Classified as an intermediate-level pattern, the Jamberry Shawl is suitable for knitters who have mastered basic techniques and are comfortable reading lace charts and managing colorwork. The combination of lace stitches and slip stitch colorwork requires attention to detail and familiarity with yarn overs, decreases, and color changes, making it an excellent project for advancing knitters seeking to build confidence with more complex stitch patterns.