Bossiney Haven

Bossiney Haven Knitted Shawl by Colleen Abbot

What Is Being Made

Bossiney Haven is an intermediate-level knitted shawl inspired by the dramatic coastal landscape of Bossiney Beach in North Cornwall. The shawl measures 56 inches wide by 24 inches deep, making it a generous triangular or crescent-shaped wrap suitable for layering or wearing as a statement accessory. The design draws aesthetic inspiration from the deep, rich colors of the sea and the winding cliff path that characterizes this secluded beach location.

Design Inspiration and Aesthetic

The shawl combines two key design elements that work together to evoke the natural landscape of its namesake location. The interplay of cables and lace stitching creates a textured fabric reminiscent of the twisty, narrow path that descends the cliffs to the beach. The color work, achieved through the use of two complementary fingering-weight yarns, captures the deep and rich tones found in the sea at this Cornish location.

Knitting Techniques and Stitches Used

This pattern employs several fundamental knitting techniques appropriate for an intermediate-level maker:

• Cable stitches: Twisted stitch patterns that create raised, rope-like textures across the fabric
• Lace stitches: Open-work patterns created through yarn overs and decreases that add airiness and visual interest
• Top-down construction: The shawl is worked beginning at the top and progressing downward, allowing for flexible finishing and easy adjustments
• Circular needle knitting: Worked on a long circular needle to accommodate the increasing stitch count as the shawl expands
• Stockinette stitch: The foundational stitch used to establish gauge and form the base fabric
• Blocking: The finished piece requires blocking to achieve the specified gauge and to even out the cables and lace work

Materials and Yarn Requirements

The Bossiney Haven shawl requires two coordinating fingering-weight yarns worked together to create color and textural variation:

• Yarn A: Approximately 400 yards of fingering-weight yarn (shown in Manos del Uruguay Alegria, colorway Fondo Del Mar)
• Yarn B: Approximately 350 yards of fingering-weight yarn (shown in Madelinetosh Tosh Sock, colorway Bloomsbury)
• Needles: One US size 6 (4.0mm) circular needle, 32 inches long
• Notions: Stitch markers to track pattern repeats and a tapestry needle for weaving in yarn ends

Gauge and Finished Dimensions

The pattern is designed to achieve a gauge of 24 stitches and 32 rows over 4 inches in stockinette stitch using US size 6 (4.0mm) needles after blocking. This gauge is measured on the blocked finished fabric and is essential for achieving the intended finished dimensions of 56 inches wide by 24 inches deep. Proper blocking is emphasized as part of the finishing process to even out the cable and lace stitches and to achieve the correct measurements.

Skill Level and Pattern Structure

Bossiney Haven is classified as an intermediate knitting project, making it suitable for knitters who have mastered basic stitches and are ready to work with more complex stitch patterns. The combination of cables and lace requires attention to stitch counts and pattern repeats, and the use of stitch markers is recommended to keep track of pattern sections. The top-down construction method provides flexibility during the knitting process and allows makers to customize the finished size if desired.