Josephine

Josephine Shawl by SuviKnits

Project Overview

Josephine is a beautifully designed triangular shawl that combines lace and garter stitch techniques in a single, flowing garment. This downloadable knitting pattern from independent designer SuviKnits offers an intermediate-level project suitable for knitters with foundational skills who are ready to work with stitch pattern combinations and shaping techniques.

What Is Being Made

The Josephine shawl is a large triangular wrap with generous dimensions, measuring 61 inches (155 cm) across the top edge wingspan and 30 inches (76 cm) in depth. This sizing makes it an ideal accessory for layering over shoulders or draping elegantly around the neck and torso. The pattern is easily adjustable, allowing knitters to customize the finished size to their preferences.

Knitting Techniques

The shawl is worked in bias construction, beginning from a cast-on tip and progressing toward the bind-off row. This directional approach creates the characteristic triangular shape through strategic increases placed at the beginning of right-side rows. The bias knitting method produces a naturally flowing fabric with excellent drape, making it ideal for lace and textured shawl designs.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

Josephine features a combination of two primary stitch patterns:

• Garter stitch – the foundational textured stitch that provides structure and definition throughout the shawl
• Lace stitches – openwork patterns that create visual interest and lightweight drape, contrasting beautifully with the garter stitch sections

The interplay between these two stitch patterns creates depth and visual complexity while maintaining an intermediate difficulty level.

Materials and Yarn

The pattern calls for 4-ply weight yarn, specifically RainboWool Merino Sock, which is composed of 75% superwash merino and 25% nylon. This fiber blend offers durability, easy care, and beautiful stitch definition. The pattern requires three coordinating colors:

• 1 skein of C1 (approximately 390 yards / 355 meters) – shown in Sininen Taivas (blue)
• 1 skein of C2 (approximately 350 yards / 320 meters) – shown in Hellyys (yellow-pink)
• 1 skein of C3 (approximately 340 yards / 310 meters) – shown in Kuura (white)

Alternatively, any fingering weight yarn with similar yardage can be substituted. The total yardage requirement is approximately 1,080 yards (985 meters) combined across all three colors.

Needles and Notions

Knitters will need size 4 US (3.5 mm) needles to work this project. Additional notions include a row counter for tracking progress through the pattern repeats and a tapestry needle for weaving in ends during finishing.

Gauge

The pattern specifies a gauge of 24 stitches and 42 rows in garter stitch over 4 inches (10 cm) when washed and blocked. While gauge is noted as not crucial for this particular project, achieving proper gauge will affect the final yardage requirements and overall finished dimensions of the completed shawl.