Oren Shawl

Oren Shawl by Susan Hanlon

What Is Being Made

The Oren Shawl is a triangular knitted shawl designed to resemble a canopy of pine branches complete with a decorative border of hanging cones. This center-down construction creates an elegant, nature-inspired accessory that measures 42 inches wide by 23 inches deep after blocking (106cm by 58.5cm).

Construction Method

Oren is knitted from the centre of the neckdown, meaning you begin at the neck point and expand outward to create the triangular shape. This top-down approach allows for flexible finishing and makes it easy to adjust the final size if desired. The pattern provides both written instructions and charted instructions, giving knitters options for how they prefer to follow along.

Stitches and Techniques

The shawl features lace pattern work that creates the pine branch and cone motifs throughout the design. The gauge is worked in stockingstitch at 22 stitches by 30 rows over 4 inches (10cm) in unblocked fabric. While matching the exact gauge is not vital to the success of the project, variations in your personal gauge may require adjusting the total yardage needed. The pattern includes a central stitch that anchors the construction, and repeating lace pattern sections that build the decorative elements. Stitch markers are optional but recommended to help track the central stitch and each repeat of the lace pattern throughout the knitting process.

Materials and Tools

The Oren Shawl requires 350 yards of fingering weight or 4-ply yarn (320 meters). The pattern suggests two specific yarn options:

• Koigu Premium Merino: 100% merino wool at 175 yards per 50-gram skein, in the color Chocolate. The sample shown uses two whole skeins, though a third skein may be required depending on individual gauge and tension.
• Malabrigo Sock: 100% merino wool at 440 yards per 100-gram skein. One skein is sufficient for this project (not shown in the sample).

For needles, use a 3.75mm (US 5) circular needle. You will also need a tapestry needle for weaving in ends. Stitch markers are optional but helpful for tracking pattern repeats.

Difficulty Level

This is an intermediate level knitting project, suitable for knitters with some experience who are comfortable working with lace patterns and following charted instructions.