Esther

Esther Shawl by Christiane Burkhard

What is Being Made

Esther is a lacy V-shaped shawl designed as the perfect summer accessory to cover bare shoulders during breezy evenings. The shawl features an elegant oval shape that helps it stay securely in place when worn. This intermediate-level knitting project combines two distinct construction methods to create a sophisticated finished piece with refined proportions.

Construction and Techniques

Esther is knitted in different directions, employing a strategic two-part construction method. The easy garter stitch lace border is worked first in a side-to-side direction, establishing the decorative edge of the shawl. Once the border is complete, stitches are picked up from the cast-on edge to work the body section from bottom up. This directional approach allows for seamless integration between the border and body while creating the characteristic V-shape and oval opening that define the shawl's silhouette.

Stitches Used

The pattern employs fundamental knitting stitches and decreases to achieve its lacy construction. Key abbreviations include k2tog (knit two stitches together) and ssk (slip, slip, knit), both essential decreases for creating the openwork lace sections. Garter stitch forms the foundation of the border, providing a textured edge that frames the delicate lace body. Stitch markers are used throughout to help track pattern repeats and shaping points.

Materials Required

• Yarn: Two colors of fingering weight yarn totaling approximately 565 yards / 517 m combined. Color 1 requires approximately 305 yards / 279 m in a lighter shade (Lismi Knits from Basel, colorway Roses). Color 2 requires approximately 260 yards / 238 m in a darker shade (Ellyn Cooper's Yarn Sonnets, colorway Zohar socks).
• Needles: US2 / 2.75 mm circular needle
• Notions: Stitch markers for tracking pattern sections

Finished Measurements

• Height (measured from center bottom to center neck): 12 inches / 30.5 cm
• Width (measuring the oval opening): 22 inches / 56 cm

Skill Level

This pattern is rated as intermediate difficulty, making it suitable for knitters who have mastered basic stitches and are ready to tackle directional construction and lace techniques. The combination of garter stitch simplicity with lace shaping provides an accessible yet rewarding project.