Altaussee

Altaussee Sideways Lace Shawl by Iscula

What Is Being Made

The Altaussee is a traditional asymmetric triangle shawl designed by Iscula and knit sideways to create a comfortable, wearable wrap. With finished measurements of 180 x 115 cm (71 x 42 ¼ inches) after blocking, this shawl offers generous coverage while maintaining an elegant silhouette. The asymmetric triangle shape is achieved through strategic increases and decreases worked throughout the pattern, making it both visually interesting and practical for everyday wear.

Knitting Techniques and Construction

This shawl employs a sideways construction method, which allows the knitter to build the triangle from one edge to the completion point rather than working from the top down or bottom up. This technique offers several advantages: it provides flexibility in adjusting the final size by modifying pattern repeats, and it creates a natural flow to the lace and garter stitch sections. The pattern features both written and charted instructions, providing multiple formats for following the design.

Stitches Used

The Altaussee combines two primary stitch patterns to create visual contrast and textural interest:

• Lace Pattern: Worked on the left side of the shawl, the lace creates an openwork design that adds elegance and drape to the finished piece
• Garter Stitch: Worked on the right side, garter stitch provides a solid, textured foundation that balances the delicate lace work and adds structure to the wrap

The pattern is organized into multiple parts (Part 2 and Part 3 are specifically mentioned as repeatable sections), allowing knitters to customize the shawl's final dimensions by increasing or decreasing the number of repeats worked.

Materials and Specifications

The Altaussee requires approximately 950 meters (1039 yards) of sport weight yarn. The pattern was designed using Tukuwool Sock in the colorway Humu, which is composed of 80% wool and 20% nylon, providing durability and elasticity. However, any sport weight yarn of comparable yardage and weight can be substituted. Knitters should note that yardage is an estimate, and variations in gauge or yarn choice may affect the final yardage requirements.

Needles required are 3.25 mm (US 3), along with one stitch marker and a tapestry needle for weaving in ends and blocking. The recommended gauge is 20 stitches by 38 rows over 10 x 10 cm (4 x 4 inches) in garter stitch after blocking. While gauge is not considered crucial for this design, variations will affect both the finished size and the total yardage needed to complete the shawl.

Difficulty Level

The Altaussee is rated as a beginner-friendly pattern, making it an excellent choice for knitters new to shawl construction or lace knitting. The combination of straightforward garter stitch sections with charted lace instructions provides a manageable learning curve while introducing fundamental shawl-building techniques.