Florence Shawl

Florence Shawl by Fancy Tiger Crafts

Project Overview

The Florence Shawl is a downloadable knitting pattern designed by Emily Platzer for Fancy Tiger Crafts. This triangular shawl measures 84 inches wide and 22 inches in depth, making it a generous accessory suitable for layering or wrapping. The design combines stripes and eyelets to create visual texture and interest in a classic shawl silhouette.

What Is Being Made

The Florence Shawl is a top-down triangular shawl constructed using a set-up method that begins with a small number of cast-on stitches and increases progressively to create the final dimensions. The shawl features decorative striping created through color changes and textural eyelets that add sophistication to the finished piece.

Materials Required

• Yarn: Heirloom Romney Yarn, 1 skein each of 2 colors (200 yards per 4 ounces). The pattern sample is shown in Nettles (main color) and Fava Bean (contrasting color).
• Needles: US 10.5 (6.5mm) circular needles, 40 inches in length
• Notions: Darning needle for weaving in ends and 2 stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats

Gauge and Finished Dimensions

The pattern is worked to a gauge of 11 stitches and 12 rows over 4 inches in stockinette stitch. The finished shawl measures 84 inches across the top edge and 22 inches in depth from the top edge to the point.

Knitting Techniques and Stitches

The Florence Shawl employs several fundamental knitting techniques to achieve its design:

• Garter Stitch: Used for the set-up section, created by knitting all stitches in every row to form a textured, reversible fabric
• Stockinette Stitch: The primary stitch used throughout the body of the shawl, formed by alternating knit rows on the right side with purl rows on the wrong side
• Yarn Overs (yo): Decorative increases that create the eyelet details characteristic of the shawl's texture
• Knit Two Together (k2tog): A right-leaning decrease used to shape the shawl and balance the yarn overs
• Make One Left (m1l): An invisible increase technique employed in the shaping process
• Stripes and Color Changes: The pattern incorporates two colors worked in alternating sections. When changing colors, the unused color is carried up the side of the work, with the working yarn catching the vertical floats to prevent loose strands and maintain structural integrity

Pattern Construction

The shawl begins with a small garter stitch set-up worked flat over 6 rows using the main color. Stitches are then picked up along the left side and cast-on edge to establish the base for the triangular body. The set-up row establishes stitch markers that divide the pattern into sections and introduces yarn overs for the eyelet details. The pattern progresses through color changes and repeated stitch sequences to build the full dimensions of the shawl.

Yarn and Fiber Content

The Florence Shawl is designed to showcase Heirloom Romney Yarn, a wool fiber known for its durability and soft feel. The pattern requires only 200 yards total, making it an efficient project that uses minimal yardage while creating a substantial finished accessory. The two-color striping in the sample showcases the versatility of the yarn in contrasting tones.