Foliatus

Foliatus Knit Shawl by riwollis

What is Being Made

Foliatus is a top-down triangular shawl designed to be worked from the neck downward. The finished shawl measures 160 cm in width and 75 cm in length, creating an elegant wrap suitable for layering or draping. The design features a delicate lace pattern inspired by leaf motifs, making it an ideal project for knitters seeking to incorporate openwork elements into their garment construction.

Knitting Techniques Used

This shawl employs several key knitting techniques that define its construction and visual appeal. The garment is worked using top-down construction, beginning at the neckline and expanding downward through pattern-related increases that create the characteristic triangular silhouette. The shawl features lace knitting, which showcases openwork sections that create the leaf-inspired design elements. To prevent edge curl, garter stitch edging is worked at the beginning of each row, consisting of 3 stitches that frame the piece with a neat, non-rolling border. The pattern is presented in charted format, with right-side rows shown in the chart while wrong-side rows are worked as purled stitches or as they appear.

Stitches and Pattern Details

The Foliatus shawl utilizes lace stitches to create its signature leaf pattern throughout the body of the garment. The pattern structure is divided into sections, allowing knitters to work the design in manageable portions. The combination of lace stitches with garter stitch edging creates textural contrast, with the delicate openwork of the lace complementing the solid, bumpy texture of the garter stitch borders. This interplay between stitch types is characteristic of contemporary shawl design and adds visual interest to the finished piece.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

Foliatus is designed to be worked with lace-weight yarn, which creates the delicate, ethereal quality that defines this shawl style. The pattern calls for 4 mm or 4.5 mm needles, with the listed dimensions referring to the 4.5 mm needle size. The designer notes that using smaller needles (4 mm) will create a more densely knitted fabric and result in a smaller finished shawl, allowing knitters to customize their finished piece. The pattern specifies that approximately 100 grams of yarn is required. The gauge is listed as 24 stitches and 35 rows over 10 by 10 centimeters when worked on 4.5 mm needles, though the designer emphasizes that gauge is not critical for this project. The charm of the lace pattern is enhanced by pairing thin lace-weight yarn with relatively thick needles, creating an open, airy fabric that showcases the yarn's delicate nature.

Difficulty Level

Foliatus is rated as an intermediate knitting project, making it suitable for knitters with some experience who are ready to tackle lace patterns and charted instructions. The combination of lace stitches, chart reading, and shaping techniques requires solid foundational skills while remaining accessible to dedicated knitters expanding their repertoire.