Winter Snow Shawl

Winter Snow Shawl by Amanda (Shuttermonkey)

What is Being Made

The Winter Snow Shawl is a rectangular knitted shawl designed to evoke the delicate beauty of winter snow. This intermediate-level knitting project produces a finished garment measuring approximately 57 inches (145 cm) long by 24 inches (61 cm) wide, making it a versatile accessory suitable for draping across the shoulders or wearing as a wrap during colder months.

Design Inspiration and Aesthetic

Created by designer Amanda Clark (known as Shuttermonkey), this shawl draws inspiration from the four seasons, with particular emphasis on the winter season in the northern hemisphere. The design captures the ethereal quality of occasional snow flurries through its construction and material choices, resulting in a garment that is both delicate and mesmerising.

Yarn and Materials

The Winter Snow Shawl is knitted using Jubilee 4ply yarn by The Natural Dye Studio in the Silver shade. This yarn contains 5% stellina, a sparkly metallic fiber that adds subtle shimmer throughout the finished piece, perfectly mimicking the glimmer of snow in winter light. The project requires 1142 meters (1249 yards) of yarn total.

Additional materials include:

• 4mm circular knitting needle (60cm long)
• An extra cable for interchangeable needle tips (60cm long)
• 4.5mm knitting needle
• 242 size 6 silver seed beads for embellishment
• 1mm crochet hook for adding beads to knitting

Knitting Techniques and Stitches

This intermediate-level project features the Snow Flurry Lace Pattern, which creates an openwork design characteristic of lace knitting. Lace patterns in knitting typically combine yarn overs and decreases to form decorative holes and motifs, allowing the pattern to create visual interest while maintaining the delicate aesthetic appropriate to the shawl's winter theme.

The shawl incorporates beadwork as an additional embellishment technique. Rather than simply knitting with beads embedded in the yarn, this project uses a 1mm crochet hook to add beads to knitting after the fabric is created, allowing for precise placement of the 242 silver seed beads throughout the design. This technique adds dimensional sparkle that enhances the snow-like appearance.

Construction Method

The Winter Snow Shawl features a rectangular construction, making it a straightforward geometric shape that is accessible for intermediate knitters while still allowing for sophisticated lace patterning and beadwork details.

Gauge and Tension

The pattern specifies a gauge of 20 stitches and 28 rows in Snow Flurry Lace Pattern over 4 inches using 4mm needles. Notably, the pattern indicates that tension is not essential, offering flexibility for knitters who may naturally work at slightly different gauges while still achieving a successful finished project.

Difficulty Level

Rated as intermediate difficulty, this project is suitable for knitters with some experience who are comfortable working with lace patterns, managing multiple needle sizes, and incorporating beadwork techniques into their knitting.