Blomstra

Blomstra Knit Shawl by Corrine Walcher

About This Design

Blomstra is a small two-color knit shawl designed by independent designer Corrine Walcher. The name comes from the Icelandic word for blossoms, inspired by the designer's Auntie Thelma's garden. This intermediate-level shawl combines decorative patterning with strategic shaping techniques to create a finished piece measuring 26 inches in depth with a 62-inch wingspan.

What Is Being Made

This project creates a small, wearable shawl featuring a two-color colorwork design. The shawl showcases a hyacinth pattern paired with garter furrows, creating visual texture and botanical interest throughout the piece. The finished dimensions make this a versatile accessory suitable for layering or draping.

Knitting Techniques Used

• Short-row shaping: Used to create three-dimensional structure and help the shawl conform to the wearer's shoulders
• Traditional shaping: Incorporates standard increases and decreases to form the shawl's triangular silhouette
• Two-color knitting: The pattern alternates between two yarn colors to create the hyacinth and garter furrow motifs
• Circular needle construction: Worked on a 32-inch circular needle, allowing for the necessary stitch capacity
• Wet blocking: Finishing technique used to set the gauge and enhance drape

Stitches and Abbreviations

Blomstra employs fundamental knitting stitches combined with shaping decreases. The stitch vocabulary includes:

• K (Knit): The primary stitch creating stockinette fabric
• P (Purl): Used for garter stitch sections and textural contrast
• K2tog (Knit two together): A right-leaning decrease for shaping
• P2tog (Purl two together): A decrease worked on purl rows
• SSK (Slip slip knit): A left-leaning decrease for balanced shaping
• YO (Yarn over): Creates decorative eyelets and increases within the pattern
• PM (Place marker): Helps track pattern repeats and shaping sections

Yarn and Materials

The sample was knit using Lorna's Laces Solemate, a fingering-weight yarn composed of 55% Superwash Merino wool, 15% Nylon, and 30% Outlast Viscose. This fiber blend offers durability, elasticity, and moisture-wicking properties. The sample used 55 grams in the Waistcoat colorway (green) and 58 grams in the Curie colorway (purple), totaling approximately 113 grams from the 425-yard/100-gram skein.

Any fingering-weight yarn or 3-ply to 4-ply weight yarn can be substituted, though yardage requirements and finished dimensions may vary based on fiber content and elasticity. The pattern recommends approximately 113 grams of total yarn across two colors.

Needles and Gauge

Construction requires a 32-inch circular needle in size 5 US (4.5mm), or the size needed to obtain the specified gauge. The recommended gauge is 20 stitches and 30 rows per 4 inches in wet-blocked stockinette stitch. While gauge is noted as not critical for this item, achieving proper gauge will ensure the finished shawl reaches the intended 26-inch depth and 62-inch wingspan, affects the total yardage used, and influences the drape and behavior of the finished fabric.

Skill Level

Blomstra is rated as an intermediate knitting project. Knitters should be comfortable with basic stitches, shaping techniques including both increases and decreases, reading pattern instructions, and managing two colors within a single project. Familiarity with circular needle techniques and wet blocking is beneficial.