Market Street Shawl

Market Street Shawl by Keya Kuhn

What is Being Made

The Market Street Shawl is a crescent-shaped shawl featuring a delicate vintage knit-on lace border along the lower edge. This design combines a classic crescent silhouette with refined lace detailing, creating an elegant accessory suitable for various occasions. The finished shawl measures 72 inches in width and 23 inches in depth at the center back, making it a substantial wrap that provides both warmth and sophisticated style.

Techniques Used

This pattern employs several key knitting techniques that make it an excellent project for knitters developing their skills. The shawl is worked flat rather than in the round, which simplifies construction and makes it more accessible to beginners. The pattern features a knit-on lace border that is worked directly onto the outer selvage edge of the shawl body, a technique that adds visual interest while maintaining structural integrity. The border itself is a vintage design, originally appearing in Weldon's Practical Knitter (fourteenth series), and follows a 12-row repeat pattern that requires joining one stitch from the selvage edge with each repeat cycle. This traditional approach to edging demonstrates how vintage knitting techniques can enhance contemporary designs.

Stitches Used

The pattern is written without charts and relies on written stitch instructions, making it accessible for knitters who prefer text-based patterns. The primary stitch structure is stocking stitch, which forms the foundation of the shawl body and provides a smooth, refined fabric. The lace edging incorporates decorative stitches characteristic of vintage lace patterns, creating textural contrast along the border.

Materials

• Yarn: Tosh Merino Light (100% Merino Wool; 420 yards per 4 ounces) in the colorway Firewood; 2 skeins required
• Needles: US 8 (5mm) circular needle, 32 inches or longer in length
• Additional Notions: Tapestry needle for finishing and waste yarn for construction
• Gauge: 17 stitches and 24 rows over 4 inches in stocking stitch, blocked

Pattern Details

Designed by Keya Kuhn and published in 2015, this pattern is classified as beginner level, making it an ideal project for knitters new to shawl construction or lace edging techniques. The pattern is suitable for 3-ply and 4-ply yarn weights, offering flexibility for yarn substitution while maintaining the intended drape and finished dimensions. The use of merino wool provides excellent elasticity and softness, qualities that enhance the delicate lace border and ensure the finished shawl blocks beautifully to its full measurements.