River of Beads

River of Beads Knitted Shawl by Emily Wood

What Is Being Made

River of Beads is an asymmetrical knitted shawl designed by Emily Wood. This intermediate-level knitting project creates a finished piece measuring 50 inches (127 cm) long and 20.5 inches (52 cm) deep at its deepest point. The shawl features lacy ribbons that flow down the bottom edge, creating a visual effect reminiscent of a swiftly churning river, with optional sparkling seed bead accents that enhance the design.

Knitting Techniques and Stitches

This shawl employs lace knitting techniques as a primary design element. The pattern utilizes Stockinette Stitch as the foundation fabric, with a gauge of 25 stitches by 35 rows per 4 inches (10 cm) when measured after blocking. The lace ribbons that characterize the shawl's aesthetic are integrated into the overall construction, creating flowing visual lines that develop as the knitter progresses through the pattern.

The shawl is worked on circular needles, which is a common approach for shawl construction that allows for easy stitch management and the ability to work in the round or flat depending on the pattern's requirements. The asymmetrical design means that the shawl grows unevenly, creating its distinctive shape.

Materials and Yarn Requirements

River of Beads requires approximately 550 yards (503 meters) of fingering-weight yarn. The sample shown in the pattern was knitted using Miss Babs Katahdin, a 100% superwash Bluefaced Leicester yarn in the colorway Blue Mussel. This yarn is available in 500-yard skeins at a yardage of 437 yards per 100 grams, making it well-suited to this project.

The pattern calls for US size 3 (3.25 mm) circular needles measuring at least 32 inches (80 cm) in length. A yarn needle is required for weaving in ends after completion.

Optional Beading Elements

For crafters who wish to add embellishment, the pattern includes optional beading details. This requires 15 grams of 6/0 seed beads and a 1.25 mm crochet hook specifically for the beading process. The beads accent the lace design, adding sparkle and visual interest to the finished shawl.

Gauge Considerations

While exact gauge is not critical for this pattern, using different yarn weights or needle sizes will affect both the finished size of the shawl and the total yardage required. Knitters should be aware that gauge variations will impact their final project dimensions, making this a flexible pattern that can be adapted to available materials while maintaining the essential design aesthetic.