Joss shawl

Joss Shawl by Bristol Ivy

What is Being Made

The Joss Shawl is an elegant, modern triangular shawl featuring a 64-inch wingspan and 23.5-inch depth. This design combines simple, clean lines with graduated welts and an elongated wingspan to create a sophisticated take on a classic shawl silhouette. The shawl is worked from the center out, beginning at the back neck and expanding outward to create its distinctive triangular shape.

Construction Method and Techniques

The Joss Shawl employs a center-out construction method, starting at the back neck and working outward to build the graduated structure. The pattern incorporates an i-cord bind-off to finish the edges, creating a polished, professional edge detail. The shawl uses the welt technique as a primary design element, which involves picking up stitches from rows below the working row to create textured horizontal lines throughout the piece.

This construction approach allows knitters to work the shawl in one continuous piece without requiring seaming, and the center-out method provides flexibility in final sizing. The use of a circular needle facilitates the increasing stitches required as the shawl expands from the center neck point outward to the full wingspan.

Stitches and Stitch Guide

The primary stitch used in the Joss Shawl is stockinette stitch, which creates a smooth, classic fabric base. The defining textural element is the welt stitch, which is created by reaching down into previous rows of work with the left needle and picking up stitches from 4 rows below the current working row. This technique creates horizontal ridges and visual interest while maintaining the elegant simplicity of the overall design.

• Stockinette Stitch: The foundation stitch providing smooth fabric texture
• Welt Stitch (Method 1): Created by picking up stitches 4 rows down from the working row using the left needle, building graduated horizontal lines
• I-cord Bind-off: A decorative edge finish that creates a cord-like border

Materials and Specifications

The Joss Shawl pattern calls for Primo Sport yarn by The Plucky Knitter, a luxury blend composed of 75% merino wool, 20% cashmere, and 5% nylon. This fiber combination provides softness, warmth, and durability. The yarn is classified as DK weight, and the pattern requires 3 skeins totaling 580 yards in the colorway Skies of November.

For needles, the pattern specifies one 32-inch circular needle in US size 6 [4 mm], or the size needed to achieve the required gauge. A spare circular needle in the same size or smaller is recommended for knitters using Method 2 of the welt technique. Additional notions include a stitch marker for tracking pattern repeats and a tapestry needle for weaving in yarn ends.

Gauge and Difficulty Level

The Joss Shawl is designed as an intermediate-level knitting project. The required gauge is 17 stitches and 34 rows over 4 inches in stockinette stitch, after blocking. Achieving proper gauge is essential for obtaining the finished measurements of 64 inches wingspan by 23.5 inches depth. The intermediate difficulty reflects the pattern's use of the welt technique and center-out construction, which require attention to stitch pickup and pattern management, though the fundamental stitches remain accessible to experienced knitters.