Product Description
This heavy lace weight shawl is designed as a series of concentric circles with 3 doubling rounds near the end of 3 of the 4 tiers. It begins with a circular cast on using a crochet hook and the smallest DPNs (or circular using magic loop) and you gradually switch to larger needles as the shawl increases in size. You may of course, use your own preferred circular cast on method.
It is important that you choose a needle size based on your own gauge and yarn. Choose a size that gives you a pleasing open fabric that shows off the lace.
If you choose to use a heavier weight yarn you will require more yardage. If you are concerned about yardage as you progress please note that the final chart and bind off (Chart D) used 30% of the total yarn.
Under the Willow Tree Knitted Shawl by Mary-Anne Mace
Project Overview
Under the Willow Tree is an intermediate-level knitted shawl design created by independent designer Mary-Anne Mace. This downloadable PDF pattern offers a versatile triangular shawl available in four finished sizes: 60 cm (24 inches), 80 cm (32 inches), 100 cm (40 inches), and 120 cm (47 inches), with a maximum diameter of 156 cm (61 inches). The shawl showcases an elegant lace construction ideal for knitters seeking to develop their skills in openwork fabric techniques.
Yarn and Materials
The pattern calls for Rohrspatz and Wollmeise Lacegarn, a 100% wool yarn in a 3-ply lace weight. The yardage requirement is approximately 1700 metres (1859 yards), using roughly 324 grams of yarn. The Lacegarn is supplied at 525 metres (574 yards) per 100 grams, making it a delicate, fine-weight yarn suited to creating the open, airy fabric characteristic of lace shawls.
Needles and Tools
The pattern utilizes multiple needle sizes to accommodate the shawl's construction and increasing stitch counts:
- 3mm (US2.5) double-pointed needles (DPNs) for initial sections
- 3.5mm (US4) DPNs or 100 cm (40 inch) circular needles using the magic loop technique for mid-construction
- 3.75mm (US5) circular needles for later sections
- Crochet hook for the circular cast-on method
The pattern notes that needle sizes serve as a guide only, and knitters should adjust based on personal gauge and desired fabric openness. Larger needles may be substituted as the shawl expands to achieve a more open, lacy appearance.
Knitting Techniques and Construction
Under the Willow Tree employs lace knitting techniques to create an openwork fabric with decorative yarn-over stitches and strategic decreases. The shawl begins with a circular cast-on method using a crochet hook, a technique that creates a seamless center point. Construction progresses from the center outward, utilizing double-pointed needles initially before transitioning to circular needles as stitch counts increase. The magic loop method is offered as an alternative to accommodate knitters without multiple needle sizes.
The pattern emphasizes the importance of gauge flexibility and fabric assessment during knitting. Since shawls prioritize aesthetic drape and openness over the structure required in fitted garments, knitters are encouraged to evaluate their work and adjust needle sizes as needed to achieve their preferred level of lace openness rather than following rigid needle-size transitions specified in the pattern.
Difficulty Level
Rated as intermediate difficulty, this pattern assumes familiarity with fundamental knitting techniques and introduces knitters to lace construction, yarn-over decreases, and the management of increasing stitch counts across multiple needle transitions.
```Specifications
| Brand: | Independent Designer |
| Yarn Weight: | Light Fingering, Lace | 2 Ply |
| Pages: | 0 |
| Designer: | Mary-Anne Mace |
| Craft: | Knitting |
| Format: | Downloadable PDF |
| Languages: | English |
| Notes: | 3mm (US2.5) DPNs; 3.5mm (US4) DPNs or 100 cm (40 inch) circular using magic loop; 3.75mm (US5) circular Choose a needle size that suits your yarn. |
| Number of Patterns: | 1 |
| Skill Level: | Intermediate |
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