Miette Shawl

Miette Shawl by Cozy Up Knits

What is Being Made

The Miette Shawl is a top-down triangular shawl inspired by Miette Roche, a stunning mountain visible from the Overlander Lodge near Jasper, Alberta. This intermediate-level knitting project creates a generous shawl with a distinctive 5-stitch spine running down the center, worked in three coordinating colors of DK weight yarn.

Techniques Used

This pattern employs several key knitting techniques essential to shawl construction. Top-down triangle shawlette construction allows knitters to begin at the spine and expand outward, creating a balanced triangular shape. The pattern utilizes yarn overs (yo's) as the primary increase method, strategically placed to create decorative shaping. Knitters must pay careful attention to yarn over placement near stitch markers to prevent them from slipping underneath markers during the working process.

The pattern incorporates through-the-back-loop (tbl) stitching for specific yarn overs on the wrong side to prevent unwanted holes in the finished fabric. Slip stitch techniques are used within the spine stitches, and knitters must be mindful of yarn wrapping direction when working yarn overs before or after purl stitches to maintain proper stitch orientation.

Stitches Used

• Knit stitch (k) – fundamental stitch used throughout
• Purl stitch (p) – used in the 5-stitch spine and shaping sections
• Slip stitch with yarn in back (sl1wyib) – creates the decorative center spine
• Yarn over (yo) – primary increase method for shaping the triangular silhouette
• Knit through the back loop (k1tbl) – used for specific yarn overs on the wrong side to prevent holes
• Garter stitch – the predominant stitch pattern creating texture throughout the shawl

Spine Structure

The shawl features a consistent 5-stitch spine that runs the length of the triangle. On the right side, the spine is worked as (p2, sl1wyib, p2), while on the wrong side it becomes (k2, p1, k2). This spine remains constant throughout the pattern, with knitters always maintaining approximately 5 stitches between the spine markers.

Materials and Specifications

Yarn: Three colors of DK weight yarn, with 100g and 230 yards per color. The pictured example uses DK tweed by Yarn Ink, a 4-ply yarn containing 85% super wash merino and 15% nep fiber, providing both softness and durability.

Tools: Size 4.5mm (US 7) needles, suitable for DK weight yarn and top-down triangular shawlette construction. Additional notions include 2 stitch markers to delineate the spine sections and 1 progress keeper for tracking rows.

Gauge: 19 rows and 16 stitches measured over 4 inches in garter stitch on blocked fabric, providing a standard reference for yarn and needle sizing.

Finished Size: Approximately 32 inches measured between the spine markers at the widest point of the triangle.

Difficulty Level

This pattern is rated as intermediate, making it suitable for knitters with foundational skills who are ready to tackle shawl construction. The combination of stitch marker management, yarn over placement awareness, and through-the-back-loop techniques requires attention to detail and understanding of how different stitches interact, but the repetitive nature of the spine and garter stitch sections provides rhythm and accessibility for growing knitters.