What you'll need
| One size only: | Block shawl to 78”/198.1cm along bottom edge- 56”/142.2cm along top edge- 17.75”/45.1cm deep at center- 11.5”/29.2cm deep at outer edges. |
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Knit Picks Preciosa Fingering Tonal - Goldfish, E626
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1 |
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Knit Picks Hawthorne Speckle Hand Paint - Sherbet
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1 |
Product Description
Usually, I'm not a lover of orange; but this color of fingering from Knit Picks is called "Goldfish" and it's fabulous! I love it, especially with the speckled white contrast and the shiny turquoise beads. The beads can be omitted easily, if you'd rather not use them.
The yarn is soft and it's reminiscent of the bright liquid colors of koi. The lace at the bottom reminds me of little fish swimming across the pond. The frilly picot edge looks like the translucent fins of the pretty fish. The little dots on the upper section dance like sunlight on the water.
At the very top is a special elongated and twisted stitch pattern that will be new for most of you. It makes a lovely textural eyelet pattern, especially nice when two colors are used in consecutive rows.
This shawl is not overly large, but big enough to be worn in several different ways as you can see in the photos.
Koi Pond Knitted Block Shawl by Sharon Mooney
What is Being Made
The Koi Pond is an intermediate-level knitted block shawl designed by Sharon Mooney. This downloadable PDF pattern (K582) creates a generous triangular shawl with dimensions of 78 inches (198.1 cm) along the bottom edge, 56 inches (142.2 cm) along the top edge, 17.75 inches (45.1 cm) deep at the center, and 11.5 inches (29.2 cm) deep at outer edges. The shawl features beadwork embellishment that evokes the movement and beauty of koi fish in a pond.
Techniques and Construction
This knitting project employs several advanced techniques suitable for intermediate knitters. The shawl is constructed using a block shawl method, which creates a structured, geometric shape. The pattern incorporates beadwork as a key design element, requiring the knitter to integrate 591 glass beads throughout the piece. The beading technique uses a size US 13/14 steel crochet hook or Fleegle Beader tool to thread beads onto the yarn before incorporation into the knitted fabric.
The construction begins with a cast-on using larger US 8/5mm circular needles, then transitions to US 6/4mm circular needles for the main body knitting. The pattern uses stockinette stitch as the primary stitch structure, creating a smooth, classic fabric base that allows the beadwork and color work to stand out prominently.
Stitches Used
- Stockinette stitch — the foundational stitch creating the smooth fabric surface
- Beaded stitches — incorporating glass beads into knitted stitches for decorative effect
- Stitch marker placement — using 28 ring stitch markers and two locking stitch markers to track pattern repeats and shaping
Materials and Yarn Specifications
The Koi Pond pattern calls for two contrasting yarns in 4-ply weight, totaling approximately two skeins:
- Knit Picks "Preciosa Fingering Tonal" in color Goldfish (E626) — 100% Merino Wool, 437 yards/399.6 meters per 3.5 ounces/100 grams, referred to as the "solid" yarn in the pattern
- Knit Picks "Hawthorne Speckle Hand Paint" in color Sherbet — 80% Superwash Fine Highland Wool, 20% Polyamide/Nylon, 357 yards/326.4 meters per 3.5 ounces/100 grams, referred to as the "multi" yarn in the pattern
Needles, Tools, and Notions
The pattern requires circular knitting needles in two sizes: US 8/5mm needles (32 inches/80 cm length) for casting on, and US 6/4mm needles (32 inches/80 cm length) for the main knitting. Additional tools include a small cable needle, 28 ring stitch markers, two locking stitch markers, a yarn needle or large embroidery needle for finishing, and 591 size 6/0 glass beads in Miyuki #19A for beadwork embellishment. A size US 13/14 steel crochet hook or Fleegle Beader is essential for threading beads onto yarn.
Gauge and Yarn Weight
The pattern is worked at a gauge of 6 stitches and 8 rows to 1 inch in stockinette stitch on US 6/4mm needles. The yarn weight is 4-ply fingering weight, which creates a delicate, refined fabric suitable for a sophisticated shawl design. This gauge and yarn weight combination produces a fabric with excellent drape and definition, allowing the beadwork details to be clearly visible.
Specifications
| Brand: | Independent Designer |
| Yarn Weight: | Fingering |
| Pages: | 5 |
| Designer: | Sharon Mooney |
| Craft: | Knitting |
| Format: | Downloadable PDF |
| Languages: | English |
| Notes: | ~591Size 6/0 glass beads, Miyuki #19A ~Size US 13/14 steel crochet hook or smallest size of Fleegle Beader (available on etsy.com) |
| Number of Patterns: | 1 |
| Skill Level: | Intermediate |
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