Signy

Signy Shawl by HelstrupDesign

What Is Being Made

Signy is a large triangular shawl or generous scarf worked in one continuous piece, constructed by knitting back and forth from side to side. This design produces a finished shawl with a width of 190 centimeters across the top edge and a height of 60 centimeters, making it an expansive accessory suitable for layering or wearing as a dramatic wrap. The side-to-side construction method allows knitters to easily adjust the final dimensions by continuing to work rows until reaching desired measurements.

Techniques Used

The Signy shawl employs fundamental shawl construction techniques centered on side-to-side knitting, a method that builds the garment horizontally rather than from top to bottom. This approach offers several advantages for shawl design: it allows for intuitive stitch increases that create the triangular or rectangular silhouette, provides natural stopping points for adjusting size, and creates interesting directional stitch patterns. The pattern utilizes chart-based instructions, requiring knitters to read and follow detailed stitch diagrams. Blocking is an essential finishing technique for this project, as the final measurements are taken after blocking, emphasizing the importance of wet finishing to achieve the intended drape and dimensions.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The Signy shawl is worked according to a charted stitch pattern, with gauge measured at 20 stitches and 30 rows equaling 10 by 10 centimeters after blocking. The pattern begins with a cast-on of 51 stitches and continues with row-by-row instructions that follow a specific chart design. While the complete stitch dictionary is not detailed in the provided materials, the chart-based construction suggests the use of standard knitting stitches combined in a deliberate pattern to create visual interest and the desired fabric characteristics. The use of stitch markers is recommended throughout the project, indicating that the pattern likely includes multiple stitch sections or repeats that benefit from marked boundaries.

Materials and Tools

Yarn: The Signy shawl requires sport-weight yarn with a yardage of approximately 300 meters per 100 grams. Total yardage needed is 325 to 350 grams of yarn. The pattern accommodates various fiber blends and specific yarn recommendations include Malabrigo Arroyo, Lang Yarns Merino 150, Malabrigo Silky Merino, Semilla from BC Garn, and Hjertegarn Extrafine Merino 150. The pictured sample was created using hand-dyed, naturally dyed 100 percent Merino from Chester Wool Company in their Merino 300 weight. Wool and wool-blend yarns are recommended for their elasticity, warmth, and ability to block effectively.

Needles and Notions: One 3-millimeter circular needle measuring 80 centimeters (32 inches) or longer is required to accommodate the increasing stitch count comfortably. A yarn needle for weaving in ends, stitch markers for tracking pattern sections, and rust-proof pins for blocking are essential notions. The circular needle format, despite the flat back-and-forth construction, provides the necessary length to hold all stitches without crowding.

Difficulty Level

This pattern is rated as advanced, reflecting the requirement that knitters possess solid foundational skills and experience reading charts. The side-to-side construction, while offering flexibility, demands consistent gauge maintenance and careful attention to pattern repeats. Advanced knitters will appreciate the design's potential for customization and the technical satisfaction of executing a charted shawl pattern.