Ambra

Ambra Knitted Shawl by Brian Smith Designs

What Is Being Made

Ambra is an intermediate-level knitted shawl designed by Brian Smith Designs. This downloadable PDF pattern creates a triangular shawl with a generous wingspan of 150cm and a maximum depth of 61cm when blocked. The design showcases color work through strategic yarn alternation, combining two distinct Hedgehog Fibres yarns to create visual interest and texture variation throughout the piece.

Craft and Construction Method

This shawl is created using the knitting craft, worked in the round on circular needles. The construction begins with a small cast-on of just 3 stitches, which are then increased systematically throughout the pattern to achieve the final triangular shape. The design employs a top-down construction method, starting from the point and expanding outward through strategic increases that are worked at regular intervals to create the shawl's characteristic silhouette.

Stitches and Techniques Used

The Ambra pattern utilizes fundamental knitting stitches and techniques suitable for intermediate knitters:

• Knit stitch (K) – the primary stitch throughout the pattern
• Purl stitch (P) – used in gauge measurement and construction
• Knit front and back (Kfb) – an increase technique used repeatedly to expand the shawl from 11 stitches to 16 stitches, then to 26 stitches, and continuing through subsequent sections
• Slip stitches – including slip two stitches purlwise with yarn at back (Sl2yb) and slip two stitches purlwise with yarn at front (Sl1yf) for edge definition
• Picking up stitches – used to transition from the initial cast-on section into the main body, picking up stitches from purl bumps on the side edge and from the cast-on edge itself

The pattern incorporates color work through yarn alternation, switching between two different yarns every two rows to create striped sections. This technique adds visual complexity while remaining accessible to intermediate-level knitters.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

The Ambra shawl requires two premium yarns from Hedgehog Fibres, each contributing distinct characteristics to the finished piece:

• Hedgehog Fibres Skinny Singles in shade Pine – 1 skein providing 366 meters of yarn
• Hedgehog Fibres Sock Yarn in shade Zenith – 1 skein providing 400 meters of yarn

Both yarns are 4-ply weight, making them suitable for fine, detailed knitting work. The pattern is worked on UK 4mm (US size 6) circular needles measuring 120cm in length, which accommodates the expanding stitch count as the shawl grows from the initial small cast-on to its full wingspan.

Gauge and Finished Dimensions

The pattern specifies a gauge of 26 stitches and 28 rows over 10 centimeters in blocked stocking stitch. Achieving this gauge is essential for obtaining the correct finished measurements. After blocking, the completed Ambra shawl measures 150 centimeters across the wingspan with a maximum depth of 61 centimeters, creating a substantial triangular accessory suitable for layering or as a statement piece.

Additional Notions and Tools

Beyond yarn and needles, the pattern requires a tapestry needle for weaving in ends, a row counter to track progress through the pattern sections, and a blocking kit to achieve the finished measurements and even out the stitches for optimal drape and appearance.