K840-Shahrzad’s shawl

K840 – Shahrzad's Shawl by Nazanin Fard

What is Being Made

Shahrzad's shawl is an advanced-level knitted lace shawl inspired by the legendary storyteller queen from "One Thousand and One Nights." This triangular shawl features a generous wingspan of 50 inches (127 cm) and a maximum depth of 25 inches (63.5 cm), making it a substantial wrap suitable for layering or draping. The design incorporates decorative glass beading along the top edge, adding elegance and visual interest to the finished piece.

Techniques and Construction

This shawl is constructed using fundamental lace knitting techniques appropriate for experienced knitters. The pattern begins with a small cast-on of 9 stitches and increases systematically throughout the project. Each repeat of right-side rows increases the stitch count by 4 stitches, creating the characteristic triangular silhouette of a traditional shawl design. The construction method allows for continuous growth from the top down, requiring careful attention to stitch markers and pattern repeats.

Beading is incorporated as an optional finishing technique along the top edge. The designer provides flexibility in the beading process: the full design uses 300 glass beads, while a simplified version without beading requires only 233 beads. A beading needle and specialized beading techniques are employed to attach these embellishments securely to the finished edge.

Stitches Used

• Stockinette stitch (St st) – forms the base fabric and is used to establish gauge measurements
• Lace stitches – create the openwork patterns characteristic of lace-weight shawl designs
• Increases – worked strategically on right-side rows to shape the triangular form
• Beading techniques – used to attach glass beads along the top edge for decorative finishing

Materials and Tools

Yarn: The shawl requires 440 yards of lace-weight yarn in 100% merino wool. The sample project was worked using Knit Picks Shadow Lace Yarn in the colorway Raspberry Heather #27030, which comes in a single 50-gram hank providing the exact yardage needed for this design.

Needles and Hooks: US size 3 (3.25 mm) knitting needles are used for the main shawl construction. A steel crochet hook size 10 (1.15 mm) is included in the materials list, likely for provisional cast-on or finishing techniques.

Notions: The project requires 3 stitch markers to track pattern repeats and shaping throughout the knitting process. Glass beads in size E (6/0) are used for optional embellishment, with 300 beads for the full beaded design or 233 beads for a simplified version. A beading needle is necessary for attaching beads to the finished edge.

Gauge and Blocking

The stitch gauge for this pattern is 20 stitches and 40 rows over 4 inches (10 cm) when worked in stockinette stitch and measured after blocking. Proper blocking is essential for lace shawls to open up the delicate stitchwork and achieve the intended finished measurements and drape.