Pacific Shawl

Pacific Shawl by Michele Bernstein

What Is Being Made

The Pacific Shawl is a knitted shawlette inspired by the rolling waves of the Pacific Ocean and the Oregon Coast. This design comes in three sizes: small (42 inches wide), medium, and large. The shawl features optional beadwork that suggests the sparkle of sunlight dancing across ocean waves, adding visual depth and shimmer to the finished piece.

Knitting Techniques and Construction

This advanced-level knitting project employs sophisticated shaping techniques to create the characteristic wave-like drape of a shawlette. The construction uses a circular needle to manage the increasing stitch count as the shawl grows from the center outward or top down, depending on the pattern structure. Knitters will need to maintain stitch markers throughout the project to track pattern repeats and shaping increases.

For those choosing to incorporate beadwork, the pattern includes instructions for placing beads using a size 13/14 US (0.90 mm) crochet hook, allowing beads to be integrated directly into the knitted fabric as you work. This technique adds dimensional embellishment without requiring beads to be sewn on after completion.

Stitches and Stitch Work

While specific stitch names are not detailed in the pattern excerpt provided, the advanced difficulty rating indicates the use of complex stitch patterns, likely including lace stitches common to shawlette designs. These create the openwork and drape characteristic of ocean-inspired shawls. The pattern requires attention to gauge and consistent tension to achieve the intended finished dimensions.

Materials and Yarn

The Pacific Shawl is designed for fingering weight yarn, which provides the delicate fabric and elegant drape essential to shawlette construction. The pattern calls for approximately 440 yards of fingering weight yarn for the medium size, though the small shawlette uses roughly 330 yards. The designer used Malabrigo Sock (100g/440 yards) in the color Impressionist Sky for the sample shown.

Knitters should note that gauge and individual knitting tension may affect yardage requirements. For medium and large sizes, having an extra skein on hand is recommended as insurance against running short.

Needles, Tools, and Notions

• US size 6 circular needle, 24 inches long (or size needed to obtain gauge)
• Gauge: 6 stitches per inch before blocking
• Stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and shaping
• Tapestry needle for weaving in yarn ends
• Optional beads: 2 (3, 4) tubes of 2.5 inch size 6/0 beads—320 beads for small, 370 for medium, and 430 for large shawl
• Optional size 13/14 US (0.90 mm) crochet hook for bead placement during knitting

Design Inspiration and Details

Michele Bernstein drew inspiration from the Pacific Ocean's rolling waves and her love of the Oregon Coast when creating this shawl. The optional beadwork serves both aesthetic and thematic purposes, mimicking the way sunlight sparkles across water in motion. This makes the Pacific Shawl suitable for knitters seeking a project with both technical challenge and meaningful design narrative.