Hydref Shawl

Hydref Shawl by Lesley Jones

What is Being Made

The Hydref Shawl is a bottom-up knitted shawl inspired by the falling leaves of autumn. This finished piece measures 70 inches in width by 38 inches in length, making it a generous, wearable accessory suitable for layering or draping. The design echoes the aesthetic of Estonian lace work but is constructed using a heavier yarn weight than traditional Estonian lace patterns, resulting in a garment that balances delicate visual appeal with practical durability and warmth.

Techniques Used

This intermediate-level knitting project employs several advanced lace-working techniques characteristic of Estonian lace design. The pattern combines multiple decrease methods with yarn overs to create the openwork sections that give the shawl its distinctive appearance. The construction begins with casting on 377 stitches and follows written or charted instructions through the body of the shawl. Upon completion of the pattern rows, knitters are left with 17 stitches on the needles—8 border stitches on each side with a centre stitch—which are then grafted together to create a seamless join. This grafting technique, also known as Kitchener stitch, creates an invisible seam and is essential for finishing shawls constructed in this manner. The final step involves blocking the completed shawl to even out the lace pattern and set the stitches.

Stitches Used

The Hydref Shawl pattern incorporates a comprehensive range of knitting stitches and techniques:

• Basic stitches: Knit (k) and purl (p)
• Decreases: Knit 2 together (k2tog), slip slip knit (ssk), knit 3 together (k3tog), slip 1 knit 2 together pass slipped stitch over (sk2p), slip 2 knit 1 pass slipped stitches over (s2kp), and purl 7 together (p7tog)
• Yarn overs: Standard yarn overs (yo) to create openwork
• Nupp: A decorative bobble stitch created by working knit 1, yarn over, knit 1, yarn over, knit 1, yarn over, knit 1 all in the same stitch
• Complex stitch combinations: 3/3 stitch, which involves knit 3 together, yarn over, knit 3 together worked across the same 3 stitches

These stitches work together to create the lace openwork that characterizes the shawl's autumn leaf-inspired design.

Materials and Specifications

The Hydref Shawl requires 850 yards (780 metres) of 4-ply yarn. The pattern model was created using KnitPicks Stroll Tonal, a popular 4-ply yarn choice that provides excellent stitch definition for lace work. Knitters will need 4mm needles appropriate for working with 4-ply weight yarn and a tapestry needle for weaving in ends after completion. The gauge for this project is 24 stitches by 32 rows over 4 inches when worked in stockinette stitch, which helps determine the final dimensions and yarn requirements.