Pont Du Marais

Pont Du Marais Shawl by Windswept Knits

Project Overview

Pont Du Marais, meaning "Bridge at the Marsh," is a beginner-level knitted shawl designed by Monique Leonard for Windswept Knits. This downloadable PDF pattern creates a triangular shawl that showcases color gradients reminiscent of coastal fog and ocean waves. The design draws inspiration from the designer's grandparents' village—a 6-mile peninsula jutting into the North Atlantic where thick fog rolls in from cold waters, creating an atmospheric gray mist. The shawl captures this evocative imagery through its yarn's color transitions, making it an ideal project for knitters seeking to create a piece with narrative depth and visual movement.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a triangular shawl measuring 15 inches deep from the cast-on edge to the finished point. The finished dimensions and drape are achieved through careful gauge and blocking, making this an excellent accessory for layering or wearing as a lightweight wrap. The shawl's construction emphasizes the beauty of the yarn's color-changing properties, allowing the gradient to be the focal point of the finished piece.

Knitting Techniques and Stitches

While specific stitch patterns are detailed within the full PDF instructions, this shawl is classified as a beginner-level project, indicating that the stitch techniques used are accessible to knitters new to shawl construction. The pattern likely employs fundamental knitting stitches combined in a way that creates visual interest while remaining manageable for less experienced crafters. The triangular shape is achieved through strategic increases that build the shawl from the cast-on edge outward.

Materials and Specifications

• Yarn: 1 skein of Wolles Yarn Color Changing Cotton in a large 150-gram skein containing 720 yards (791 meters). This fingering-weight yarn provides the delicate drape and color gradient essential to the design's aesthetic.
• Needles: US 4 (3.5 mm) circular needles, 40 inches (100 cm) or longer, or the size needed to obtain proper gauge
• Notions: Stitch markers and a tapestry needle for weaving in ends
• Gauge: 24 stitches and 32 rows over 4 inches (10 cm) after washing and blocking. Achieving proper gauge is essential for obtaining the correct finished dimensions and drape.

Pattern Notes

The pattern includes practical guidance on measuring yardage using a scale, which is noted as the simplest and most accurate method for determining remaining yarn. This is particularly useful when working with gradient yarns where visual assessment alone may not provide reliable yardage information. The finished shawl requires washing and blocking to achieve the specified gauge and to fully showcase the color-changing yarn's gradient effect.