Pekhom Shawl

Pekhom Shawl by Naurid

What Is Being Made

The Pekhom Shawl is a crescent-shaped lace shawl inspired by peacock feathers. The name "Pekhom" derives from Bengali, meaning the tail feathers of a peacock—its train or fan when spread open. This design celebrates the beauty and texture of a peacock's distinctive plumage through knitted lace patterning. The finished shawl measures 80 inches (203 cm) from end to end and 28 inches (71 cm) in length at the center, making it a substantial accessory suitable for draping and layering.

Design and Inspiration

The shawl's crescent silhouette and lace construction draw directly from the visual characteristics of peacock feathers, translating their organic curves and intricate patterns into knitted fabric. The design offers an opportunity to celebrate color through yarn selection, and can be further embellished with beads and tassels for added dimension and personalization.

Knitting Techniques Used

This intermediate-level knitting pattern employs lace knitting techniques to achieve its decorative openwork. The pattern includes both written directions and charts to guide knitters through the construction. Lace knitting requires careful attention to yarn overs, decreases, and stitch placement to create the intentional holes and textured patterns that define the shawl's aesthetic.

Stitches and Stitch Work

While specific stitch names are not detailed in the provided pattern information, lace shawl construction typically incorporates yarn overs and various decrease methods to form the openwork characteristic of the design. The pattern is presented in chart form, allowing visual reference for complex stitch sequences.

Materials and Yarn

The sample shawl is crafted from light fingering weight yarn, specifically Ice yarn Cakes Party in a blend of 50% cotton and 50% acrylic. The project requires approximately 848 yards (776 meters) of yarn. The sample uses a single cake containing 656 yards (600 meters) on 5.29 ounces (150 grams) in colorway #fnt2-55322 R, with additional yardage needed to complete the full shawl. The 4-ply weight provides the delicate drape and stitch definition necessary for lace knitting.

Needles and Tools

Specific needle size and material recommendations are not included in the provided pattern excerpt, though lace knitting in fingering weight typically employs needles in the US 1–3 range to achieve proper fabric density and stitch clarity.

Pattern Format

The Pekhom Shawl pattern is available as a free, downloadable PDF. The pattern includes both written directions and charts, making it accessible to intermediate knitters comfortable reading standard knitting notation and chart symbols.