Malena

Malena Shawl by Andrea Rangel

What is Being Made

Malena is an intermediate-level knitted shawl designed by Andrea Rangel. This triangular shawl features a generous wingspan of 56 inches (142 cm) with a center depth of 23 inches (58 cm), making it a versatile accessory suitable for layering or wearing as a wrap. The shawl is constructed using a top-down approach, beginning from the center top and expanding outward to create its characteristic triangular silhouette.

Construction Technique

The Malena shawl is worked from the center top-outward, beginning with a garter tab. This construction method allows knitters to easily adjust the final size by continuing to work increases until reaching the desired dimensions. The top-down approach is particularly advantageous for shawl knitting, as it enables crafters to monitor progress and make modifications as needed without committing to a predetermined yardage at the project's start.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns Used

The primary stitch pattern featured in this design is Stockinette Stitch, which creates a smooth, classic fabric with characteristic V-shaped columns on the right side. The pattern incorporates several fundamental increase techniques to shape the shawl's expansion:

• M1L (Make 1 Left): An invisible left-leaning increase worked by inserting the right needle into the bar between stitches from front to back, placing the stitch on the left needle with the leading leg in front, then knitting into the back of the stitch to twist it
• M1R (Make 1 Right): An invisible right-leaning increase worked by inserting the right needle into the bar between stitches from back to front, placing the stitch on the left needle with the leading leg in back, then knitting into the front of the stitch
• Garter Stitch: Used for the initial tab at the shawl's top, created by knitting every row to produce a textured, reversible fabric

These increases are strategically placed throughout the pattern to create the shawl's expanding triangular shape while maintaining structural integrity.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The Malena shawl requires 850 yards (775 meters) of fingering weight yarn, making it an efficient project that uses approximately two standard skeins. The pattern is shown worked in Indigo Moon Blue-faced Leicester Wool, a 100% wool yarn available in 430-yard (393-meter) skeins per 100 grams, in the colorway Ravishing Red. The pattern accommodates both 3-ply and 4-ply yarn weights, offering flexibility for yarn substitution while maintaining the intended drape and finished dimensions.

Needles, Hooks, and Notions

Construction requires US #5 (3.75 mm) knitting needles to achieve the specified gauge of 24 stitches and 28 rows over 4 inches (10 cm) in Stockinette Stitch. The pattern also calls for a size F (3.75 mm) crochet hook for finishing details. Additional notions include a tapestry needle for weaving in ends, place markers for tracking pattern repeats and shaping points, and blocking wires to shape and set the finished shawl. The pattern notes that needle size recommendations are guidelines only, and knitters should select the needle size necessary to obtain the specified gauge for proper fit and drape.

Difficulty Level

Malena is rated as an intermediate-level knitting project, suitable for knitters with foundational skills in basic stitches and shaping techniques. The intermediate classification reflects the requirement to work increases strategically throughout the pattern and manage multiple stitches as the shawl expands, though the straightforward Stockinette Stitch base keeps the project accessible to experienced beginners advancing their skills.