Penstemon

Penstemon Shawl by affiknity

What is Being Made

Penstemon is an advanced knitting shawl pattern designed by affiknity. This downloadable PDF pattern creates a lace shawl using a combination of stockinette stitch sections and decorative shaping techniques. The shawl begins with a substantial cast-on of 363 stitches and is worked through structured short-row sections that systematically reduce the stitch count to create the finished shawl shape.

Techniques Used

This pattern employs several intermediate to advanced knitting techniques. The construction begins with a stretchy cast-on method, with the pattern recommending either a long-tail cast-on worked with two separate balls of yarn or the use of larger needles to ensure adequate stretch. The primary shaping technique is short-row knitting, where the work is turned before reaching the end of the row, creating gradual decreases that shape the shawl. The pattern uses ssk (slip, slip, knit) and p2tog (purl two together) decreases worked in conjunction with the short-row turning points. Post-blocking is recommended to set the finished gauge and dimensions.

Stitches Used

• Stockinette stitch – the primary stitch structure, worked in both knit and purl directions
• Ssk (slip, slip, knit) – a left-leaning decrease used in knit rows
• P2tog (purl two together) – a right-leaning decrease used in purl rows
• Short rows – partial rows worked with turning points to create shaping

Materials and Specifications

The Penstemon shawl is designed to be worked in SweetGeorgia Merino Silk Lace, a luxury yarn composed of 50% silk and 50% merino wool. This yarn is available in 765-yard skeins at 100 grams, and the pattern requires approximately 540 yards of yarn. The recommended needle size is US #6 (4mm) circular needles, which accommodate the large cast-on and allow for easy stitch marker placement throughout the project.

The pattern calls for optional notions including 20 stitch markers (useful for tracking the repeat sections every 18 stitches) and 200 size 8 beads for optional embellishment. The gauge is 17 stitches by 29 rows over 4 inches (10 centimeters) in stockinette stitch after blocking, though the pattern notes that exact gauge is not critical and variations may affect yardage requirements and finished dimensions.