Swept Away

Swept Away Shawl by Christina Loman

Project Overview

Swept Away is an advanced-level knitted shawl designed by Christina Loman for special occasions. Inspired by a wedding celebration, this one-size shawl combines delicate lace construction with elegant embellishments to create a sophisticated accessory perfect for formal events.

What Is Being Made

This is a triangular or crescent-shaped lace shawl with finished dimensions of 27 inches in width and 57 inches in length. The shawl features integrated beadwork throughout the design, with approximately 475 glass beads strategically placed to add sparkle and dimension to the lace pattern.

Techniques Used

• Lace knitting: The primary construction method, creating openwork patterns through yarn overs and decreases
• Beading: Glass beads are incorporated directly into the knitting using a beading hook or dental floss, requiring careful placement and technique
• Circular needle knitting: Worked on a 24-inch circular needle, allowing for seamless construction and easy stitch management

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The shawl features beaded diamond motifs as the primary stitch pattern. Advanced decreasing techniques are employed, including the specialized decrease S2k1p2sso (slip 2 stitches together as if to knit, knit the next stitch, pass the slipped stitches over). These techniques create the intricate lace structure characteristic of advanced knitting projects.

Materials

Yarn: Knit Picks Gloss Lace in Sterling color; 70% merino wool and 30% silk blend; 440 yards per 50-gram skein; 3 skeins required. The silk content provides a luxurious sheen appropriate for special occasions.

Needles and Notions: One 24-inch US #4/3.5mm circular needle; size 11/0 purple glass seed beads (approximately 475); stitch markers (optional); beading hook or dental floss for bead placement.

Gauge and Difficulty

Gauge is 26 stitches and 32 rows over 4 inches in the beaded diamond pattern. This project is rated as advanced difficulty, requiring experience with lace knitting, bead placement techniques, and complex stitch abbreviations. Knitters should be comfortable reading detailed pattern instructions and managing multiple techniques simultaneously.