Xenia Shawl in Berroco Mykonos - Downloadable PDF

Xenia Shawl in Berroco Mykonos – Knitting Pattern Summary

The Xenia Shawl is a beautifully crafted knitted shawl designed by Amy Christoffers and published by Berroco as a downloadable PDF pattern. Originally featured in Berroco Booklet #368, this elegant design is worked in a single size and produces a generous, flowing shawl with finished measurements of approximately 60 inches across and 32 inches down the center after blocking. The generous dimensions make it a versatile accessory suitable for draping over the shoulders as a wrap or wearing as a statement shawl in cooler weather.

What Is Being Made

The Xenia Shawl is a large, lightweight knitted shawl or wrap intended for adult wear. Its sweeping dimensions — 60 inches wide and 32 inches deep — give it a dramatic, graceful silhouette when worn. Blocking is an essential finishing step for this design, as it opens up the lace structure and allows the shawl to reach its full intended size and drape.

Techniques Used

• Circular knitting needle construction: The shawl is worked on a 29-inch circular knitting needle, which accommodates the large stitch count typical of shawl construction without the weight and strain of straight needles.
• Double pointed needles (dpns): Two double pointed knitting needles in size 6 (4.00 mm) are also called for, likely used during the initial cast-on or for working a small number of stitches at the beginning of the shawl before the stitch count grows.
• Lace knitting: The primary stitch pattern is a yarn over, k2tog (knit two together) lace repeat, which creates an open, airy fabric with a delicate, decorative texture. This type of eyelet lace is a classic technique in shawl design, producing a fabric that is both lightweight and visually interesting.
• Blocking: Wet or steam blocking is implied by the finished measurements being given "after blocking," a standard and important technique for lace knitting that sets the stitches and opens the lace pattern to its full effect.
• Stitch marker use: One stitch marker is required, helping the knitter track pattern repeats or key structural points such as a center spine or section division.

Stitches Used

• Yarn over (yo): Creates deliberate holes in the fabric that form the lace pattern and simultaneously increase the stitch count, which is then compensated by the paired decrease.
• K2tog (knit two together): A right-leaning decrease that pairs with the yarn over to maintain stitch count while contributing to the directional flow of the lace design.
• The gauge is measured in the yo, k2tog pattern at 14 stitches and 24 rows to 4 inches on size 6 (4.00 mm) needles, making gauge-checking an important step before beginning.

Materials Required

• Yarn: 5 hanks of Berroco Mykonos (50 grams each), used in colorway #8560 Apollo. Berroco Mykonos is a DK weight yarn, offering a fine, smooth fabric that is ideal for lace knitting. Its fiber content and construction lend the finished shawl a fluid drape and a subtle sheen that enhances the openwork pattern.
• Needles: A 29-inch circular knitting needle in size 6 (4.00 mm), or the size needed to obtain gauge, along with two double pointed knitting needles in the same size.
• Notions: One stitch marker and a tapestry needle for weaving in ends upon completion.

Difficulty Level and Ideal Knitter

The Xenia Shawl is rated Intermediate in difficulty, making it well suited for knitters who are comfortable with basic lace techniques such as yarn overs and simple decreases but may not yet have extensive experience with complex multi-stitch lace charts. The repetitive nature of the yo, k2tog pattern means the rhythm