Openwork Shawl in Schachenmayr Arizona - S9511

Openwork Shawl in Schachenmayr Arizona – Pattern S9511

This free downloadable knitting pattern (S9511) from Schachenmayr guides knitters through the creation of a long, elegant openwork cable shawl worked in a striking Ajour-Zopfmuster — a German term describing a combined lace and cable pattern that produces an intricate, airy fabric with bold textural interest. The finished shawl measures 21 cm wide and 160 cm long, making it a generously proportioned accessory suitable for wrapping around the shoulders or wearing as a scarf. This pattern is rated advanced (schwierig) in difficulty, reflecting the complexity of managing simultaneous cable crossings, yarn-overs, and decreases across the repeat.

What Is Being Made

The finished project is a long rectangular shawl knitted flat in rows. Its narrow width and considerable length give it a versatile, wrap-style silhouette. The surface is dominated by a repeating Ajour-Zopfmuster — an openwork cable motif — framed on both long edges by a neat Patentrand (a slipped-stitch selvedge border) that keeps the edges tidy and prevents curling. The shawl is worked from cast-on to bind-off without shaping, relying entirely on the stitch pattern to create its visual drama.

Materials Required

• Yarn: Schachenmayr Arizona, 200 g in the colourway Marmor, shade 00087 — a marled or variegated yarn that adds subtle tonal depth to the openwork and cable structure.
• Needles: One Milward circular knitting needle, 5.5 mm — used flat (back and forth in rows) to accommodate the stitch count comfortably.
• Additional tools: 2 cable needles (Zopf- bzw. Hilfsnadeln) for executing the complex cable crossings, plus a tapestry/wool needle (Wollsticknadel) for weaving in ends.

Gauge

The stated gauge in the Ajour-Zopfmuster is 22 stitches and 14 rows = 10 × 10 cm. Because this pattern combines yarn-overs, decreases, and cable crossings, achieving the correct gauge is particularly important for matching the intended dimensions. Knitters should work a generous swatch and block it before beginning.

Stitches and Techniques Used

• Ajour-Zopfmuster (Openwork Cable Pattern): The central stitch pattern combines lace techniques (yarn-overs and corresponding decreases) with cable crossings worked over multiple stitches using two cable needles simultaneously. This dual-needle cable technique is what elevates the pattern to advanced level — stitches are placed on a first cable needle and held to the back, one stitch is worked, then a second cable needle holds additional stitches while the remaining cable stitches are knitted, creating a complex interlocking braid with openwork windows.
• Patentrand (Slipped-Stitch Selvedge): The first and last 3 stitches of every row are worked as a Patentrand border. On right-side (forward) rows: knit 1, slip 1 purlwise with yarn in front, knit 1. On wrong-side (return) rows: slip 1 purlwise with yarn in front, knit 1, slip 1 purlwise with yarn in front. This creates a firm, chain-like edge on both sides of the shawl.
• Yarn-overs (Umschlag): Yarn-overs are worked on right-side rows to create the openwork eyelets characteristic of the lace element. On the following wrong-side row, each yarn-over is purled. In certain positions, a yarn-over is deliberately dropped from the needle to elongate a stitch and enhance the lace effect.
• Double Decrease (3 Maschen zusammenstricken): A centred or directional double decrease is used to compensate for the yarn-overs and maintain the stitch count. This is worked by slipping 2 stitches