K916-Parmeada Shawlette

K916 – Parmeada Shawlette by Nazanin Fard

What is Being Made

The Parmeada Shawlette is an intermediate-level knitted shawl inspired by the historical figure of Parmeada, an ancient princess and daughter of King Cyrus the Great who married Darius I. This downloadable knitting pattern creates a delicate lace shawlette worked from the top down using lace weight yarn and decorative beading elements.

Yarn and Materials

The shawlette requires 440 yards (402 meters) of lace weight yarn in a single hank. The sample project was created using Knit Picks Alpaca Cloud Lace, a 100% Baby Alpaca yarn in the colorway Elizabeth #26757, available in 50-gram hanks. The pattern also calls for size 3 (3.25 mm) knitting needles, stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats, and 560 size E beads that are worked across the shawl for embellishment and visual interest.

Techniques and Stitches Used

The Parmeada Shawlette employs classic lace knitting techniques suitable for intermediate knitters. The construction begins with a small cast-on of 9 stitches and incorporates multiple pattern sections worked from charted instructions.

• Yarn overs (yo) – used to create the openwork lace pattern and increase stitches
• Knit stitches (k) – form the structural foundation and edge stitches
• Purl stitches – worked on wrong-side rows between markers
• Slip, slip, knit (ssk) – a left-leaning decrease that balances yarn overs for symmetrical lace patterning
• Stitch markers (SM) – placed to delineate pattern sections and the central stitch, with 3-stitch garter stitch edges on both sides
• Bead placement – 560 beads are integrated throughout the shawl design

Pattern Structure

The shawlette is worked in three different pattern sections as indicated in the design notes. The pattern begins with a 2-row garter stitch foundation before transitioning into charted lace patterns. Pattern 1 (Chart 1) demonstrates the fundamental construction method: a 3-stitch garter edge is maintained on each side, with paired yarn overs and decreases creating symmetrical lace motifs around a central stitch. Even-numbered rows are worked as knit 3, slip marker, purl across to the last marker, slip marker, knit 3, allowing the wrong-side rows to rest while the right-side rows build the intricate lace design.

Gauge and Finished Dimensions

The stitch gauge for this project is 24 stitches and 36 rows over 4 inches (10 cm) in the lace pattern, worked on size 3 needles. Achieving proper gauge is essential for accurate shawlette dimensions and drape.

Skill Level

This pattern is rated as intermediate difficulty, making it suitable for knitters with experience in basic techniques who are ready to tackle charted lace patterns, stitch markers, and bead integration. The combination of lace weight yarn, precise stitch work, and decorative beading requires attention to detail and familiarity with reading knitting charts.