Beekeeper's Secret

Beekeeper's Secret Shawl by Melanie Berg

Project Overview

Beekeeper's Secret is a generous rectangular knit shawl designed by Melanie Berg that captures the warmth and elegance of summer's golden days. This intermediate-level knitting project combines lace and textured stripes in an innovative construction method, finished with a delicate lace border that adds sophistication and visual interest to the completed garment.

What Is Being Made

This pattern creates a rectangular shawl with generous dimensions, perfect for draping and styling in multiple ways. The shawl is designed to be worn as a versatile accessory that can be pinned, wrapped, or arranged to suit various occasions and personal preferences.

Construction Technique

Beekeeper's Secret employs an unusual and creative construction method that combines flat knitting with circular knitting techniques:

• The shawl is initially worked flat, beginning with a cast-on at the corner
• Increases are worked at both sides of the piece until 169 stitches are reached
• The body is then worked on the bias, creating diagonal lines and visual movement
• Stitches are decreased back down until all stitches are consumed, completing the main body
• Finally, stitches are picked up along the border and the lace edging is knit in the round, adding a refined finishing detail

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The shawl features swaths of lace and textured stripes that form the body of the garment. The combination of these stitch patterns creates visual depth and interest, while the lace border provides an elegant, delicate edge. The bias construction adds dynamic shaping and prevents curling, while the transition from flat to circular knitting allows for both structural control and finishing refinement.

Yarn and Materials

Yarn: The sample shawl is knit using mYak Ra-Ku Fiocco di Cashmere Lace, a lace-weight yarn composed of 100% cashmere. The yarn is used in the colorway "Zabaione" and requires 4 balls totaling 184 grams and 1399 yards (1280 meters). This luxurious fiber choice provides a soft and elegant drape that enhances the shawl's sophisticated appearance.

Needles and Notions: The pattern requires 5 stitch markers to track pattern repeats and shaping increases and decreases throughout the construction. Additional styling options are enhanced with a bee shawl pin by JUL Design, allowing infinite ways to wear and arrange the finished shawl.

Difficulty Level

Rated as intermediate, this pattern is suitable for knitters with foundational skills who are ready to explore more complex construction techniques. The combination of flat and circular knitting, bias shaping, and lace work requires attention to detail and pattern reading ability, making it an engaging project for experienced knitters seeking to expand their technical repertoire.

Pattern Notes

Designers recommend reading through the entire pattern before beginning to familiarize yourself with the unique construction method and ensure understanding of the transitions between flat and circular knitting sections.