The Louise Laxton Shawlette

The Louise Laxton Shawlette by Robin Hunter

What is Being Made

The Louise Laxton Shawlette is a triangular lace shawl designed by Robin Hunter for intermediate lace knitters. This downloadable knitting pattern creates a sophisticated shawlette with finished measurements of 31 inches (78.5 cm) long from the bottom center point to the top edge, and 58 inches (147.5 cm) wide measured across the top edge after blocking. The design combines classic lace techniques with elegant shaping, making it a versatile accessory suitable for various occasions and seasons.

Construction Technique

The Louise Laxton Shawlette employs a classic top-down construction method, a popular approach in modern shawl design that allows knitters to work from the neck or top edge downward. The pattern begins with a small garter stitch strip of knitting, which serves as the foundation for the entire piece. This starting method provides stability and creates a neat beginning edge.

One of the key features of this design is its expandable construction. Knitters can easily customize the size by repeating Charts 2 and 3 any number of additional times before completing the final border chart. This flexibility allows crafters to create a larger shawlette if desired, making the pattern adaptable to different yarn quantities or personal preferences.

Lace Pattern and Stitches

The lace pattern in The Louise Laxton Shawlette is created using stacked diamonds that form the primary decorative element throughout the shawl. The pattern concludes with half diamonds that create a scalloped bottom edge, adding visual interest and a delicate finish to the completed piece.

The entire shawlette is charted, meaning the lace pattern is presented in visual chart format rather than written-out row-by-row instructions. This charting approach is standard for lace knitting and allows experienced lace knitters to visualize the pattern structure clearly.

Essential knitting skills required for this project include:

• Long tail cast on
• Knit stitch
• Purl stitch
• Yarn over (used to create the openwork lace effect)
• Decreases (essential for shaping and creating the lace pattern)
• Casting off

Materials and Gauge

The Louise Laxton Shawlette is designed to be worked with US #6 (4 mm) needles. The recommended gauge is 19 stitches and 32 rows over 4 inches (10 cm) in the Lace Stitch Pattern after blocking.

The pattern calls for 2 skeins of Sophie's Toes Sock Yarn in the colorway Brilliant Raspberry. This yarn is composed of 100% Merino Superwash, offering softness, breathability, and easy care through machine washing. Each skein contains approximately 350 yards (320 meters) of yarn per 3.5 ounces, providing sufficient yardage for the complete shawlette as charted. The Merino Superwash fiber is particularly well-suited to lace knitting, as it can be gently blocked to enhance the lace pattern definition.

Skill Level

This pattern is designed for intermediate lace knitters. While the construction method is relatively straightforward, the lace pattern requires comfort with reading charts and managing yarn overs and decreases consistently throughout the project.