Winter's Eave

Winter's Eave Knitted Shawl by Carissa Browning

What is Being Made

Winter's Eave is a knitted shawl designed by independent designer Carissa Browning. This intermediate-level project creates a crescent-shaped accessory with finished measurements of 72 inches in span and 24 inches in height at the center. The shawl is easily adjustable in size, making it a versatile pattern for knitters seeking a customizable layering piece.

Knitting Techniques and Construction

This shawl showcases bi-color brioche knitting, a sophisticated technique that combines two yarn colors to create dimensional texture and visual interest. Bi-color brioche is constructed using a two-pass system for each row, with one pass worked in each color. This method creates the characteristic brioche rib structure while incorporating color changes that enhance the shawl's aesthetic appeal. The pattern notes reference Nancy Marchant's brioche tutorials as a foundational resource for knitters new to this technique, emphasizing that brioche construction, while appearing complex, follows logical and learnable principles.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The primary stitch pattern used throughout Winter's Eave is brioche rib. This stitch creates a stretchy, textured fabric with pronounced vertical lines and dimensional depth. The brioche rib gauge is 17 stitches and 28 rows per 4 inches after blocking, providing the foundation for accurate sizing and proper shawl drape.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

Winter's Eave requires fingering weight yarn in two coordinating colors. The pattern calls for approximately 420 yards (384 meters) each of two colors, totaling roughly 840 yards of yarn for the complete project.

Recommended yarn: Malabrigo Yarns Mechita, a 100% merino wool option available in 420-yard (384-meter) skeins per 100-gram ball. The original design features:

• Light color (LC): Malabrigo Mechita in color 36 Pearl; 1 skein
• Dark color (DC): Malabrigo Mechita in color 806 Impressionist Sky; 1 skein

The merino wool base provides warmth, breathability, and the elasticity necessary for brioche knitting to perform optimally.

Tools and Notions

Knitters will need a US #3 (3.25mm) circular needle, five stitch markers (including one removable marker for tracking), and a tapestry needle for weaving in ends. The circular needle accommodates the shawl's construction method and allows for easy stitch management across the width of the piece.

Skill Level

Winter's Eave is rated as an intermediate difficulty project. While the brioche rib stitch itself is learnable for knitters new to the technique, the pattern assumes foundational knitting knowledge and comfort with circular needle work, stitch markers, and blocking techniques.

Format and Designer

Winter's Eave is available as a downloadable PDF pattern from independent designer Carissa Browning, accessible through CarissaKnits.com. This format allows immediate access to the complete pattern instructions for digital reference or printing.