Golden Leaves Shawl

Golden Leaves Shawl by Melanie Mielinger

What is Being Made

The Golden Leaves Shawl is an intermediate-level knitted shawl designed by Melanie Mielinger. This triangular shawl measures approximately 72 inches (180 cm) in width and 28 inches (70 cm) at its deepest point, making it a generous wrap suitable for layering or draping. The shawl features a distinctive leaf pattern throughout its construction, creating visual interest and texture in the finished piece.

Knitting Techniques Used

This project employs several fundamental and intermediate knitting techniques to create its elegant design. The shawl utilizes garter stitch as a primary stitch base, which creates a reversible, textured fabric with horizontal ridges. The construction incorporates increases to shape the triangular silhouette, achieved through methods such as knit front and back (kfb) increases. The pattern also features cable needle work, indicating the presence of twisted or crossed stitches that add dimension to the leaf motifs. Slip stitches and pass-over techniques are employed throughout, requiring knitters to understand how to manipulate stitches for decorative and structural purposes.

Stitches and Stitch Details

The Golden Leaves Shawl pattern utilizes a combination of essential knitting stitches:

• Knit (k) and purl (p) stitches form the foundation of the pattern
• Slip stitch (sl) for creating smooth edges and transitions
• Knit 2 together (k2tog) for decreasing stitches
• Knit front and back (kfb) for increasing stitches and shaping
• Pass 2 slipped stitches over (p2sso) for decorative decreases
• Through the back loop (tbl) modifications for twisted stitch variations

The pattern also incorporates directional yarn placement techniques such as yarn in front (wyf) and yarn in back (wyb) to control stitch formation and create the leaf pattern details.

Materials and Gauge

The Golden Leaves Shawl is worked with Cosy Wool yarn from Schachenmayr, a blend of 64% viscose, 25% acrylics, and 11% wool in aran weight. The project requires 6 balls of yarn (300 grams total, approximately 654 yards/600 meters) in color 00022. Knitting is performed on US 8 (5 mm) circular needles, along with a cable needle for stitch crossing. The recommended gauge is 15 stitches and 29 rows per 4 inches (10 cm) in garter stitch after blocking, measured with US 8 needles. Additional notions include a stitch marker for marking the leaf pattern sections and a tapestry needle for finishing. A row counter is optional but helpful for tracking progress through the pattern repeats.