Goldfoil

Goldfoil Shawl by Mary-Anne Mace

What is Being Made

Goldfoil is a triangular knitted shawl designed by Mary-Anne Mace. The finished shawl measures 90 cm deep at the centre with a top edge width of 190 cm, making it a substantial wrap-style accessory. The shawl features a classic triangular silhouette that begins from a simple garter tab and expands outward through strategic increases.

Techniques Used

This intermediate-level knitting project employs several key techniques to achieve its elegant structure. The shawl utilizes yarn over increases as the primary method for expansion, with 4 yarn overs worked on every right side row—2 positioned along the centre spine and 1 at each edge. This systematic increase pattern creates the triangular shape while maintaining balanced shaping throughout the garment.

The pattern incorporates cable work in the lower sections, which requires careful needle selection to accommodate the denser gauge created by twisted stitches. The design also employs chart-based construction, allowing knitters to follow visual stitch patterns for precise shaping and texture.

Stitches and Pattern Structure

Goldfoil is constructed using charted stitch patterns divided into distinct sections. The pattern begins with garter stitch for the cast-on tab, providing a stable foundation. The shawl then progresses through Chart A and Chart B, with Chart B featuring the cable sections that define much of the shawl's visual interest. The combination of garter stitch, yarn overs, and cabled stitches creates both textural variety and structural integrity.

Materials and Yardage Requirements

Goldfoil is designed for lace-weight yarn. The pattern calls for Pickle Silky Lace by Pickle & Co, a yarn composition of 80% merino and 20% silk with a yardage of 800 metres per 100 grams. The designer used nearly an entire 800-metre skein to complete the shawl, though knitters working off gauge may require up to 900 metres of yarn to ensure adequate length for the full triangular expansion.

Needle Requirements

This project requires two needle sizes to accommodate different sections of the pattern. A 3.25 mm (US 3) circular needle is used for the cast-on, Chart A, and approximately the first 9 rows of Chart B. A 3.75 mm (US 5) circular needle is then used for the remainder of Chart B, where the larger gauge accommodates the cables more comfortably. Both needles should be 100 cm (40 inches) or longer to manage the increasing stitch count as the shawl expands. Knitters are advised to select needle sizes appropriate to their specific yarn and desired gauge.

Skill Level

Goldfoil is rated as an intermediate difficulty pattern, making it suitable for knitters with foundational skills who are ready to tackle cable work and chart reading. The combination of multiple techniques and the need to manage increasing stitch counts requires attention to detail and familiarity with standard knitting methods.