Snowflake Shawl

Snowflake Shawl by Jean Chung

What Is Being Made

The Snowflake Shawl is a luxuriously warm and cozy knitted wrap designed to combine practical warmth with whimsical, wintry elegance. This seamless shawl features delicate lace detailing and a chunky collar, making it an ideal layering piece for cold weather. The design is available in five sizes, ranging from 38.5 inches to 69 inches in finished circumference, accommodating bust measurements from 31-34 inches up to 55-59 inches.

Knitting Techniques and Construction

This shawl is knitted seamlessly, meaning it is worked in one continuous piece without seams that require finishing. The seamless construction creates a smooth, professional appearance and eliminates the need for seaming. The design incorporates lace detailing throughout, which adds visual interest and creates an elegant, romantic aesthetic. The chunky collar provides both structural definition and extra warmth around the neck area.

Stitches Used

The pattern employs 1x1 Rib as a key stitch element. This classic ribbed stitch is worked by alternating knit and purl stitches across each row, creating vertical columns that provide elasticity and a fitted appearance. The 1x1 Rib is worked as follows:

• Row 1 (Right Side): Knit 1 stitch, purl 1 stitch, repeat to end
• Row 2: Purl 1 stitch, knit 1 stitch, repeat to end

In addition to ribbing, the shawl incorporates lace stitches that create the decorative snowflake motif and openwork details characteristic of the design.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The Snowflake Shawl is designed to be knitted with two complementary yarns held together, creating a blended texture and enhanced warmth.

Main Color (MC) Yarn: Bernat Alpaca Natural Blends in the "Natural" colorway. This yarn is a washable blend composed of 70% Acrylic and 30% Alpaca. Each skein contains 120 yards (110 meters) and weighs 3.5 ounces (100 grams). The pattern calls for 3 to 6 skeins depending on the size being knitted.

Contrast Color (CC) Yarn: Universal Yarn Swiss Mohair in the "Mist" colorway. This yarn is a luxurious blend of 60% Acrylic, 20% Mohair, and 20% Polyamide. Each skein provides 600 yards (550 meters) and weighs 3.5 ounces (100 grams). The pattern requires 1 to 2 skeins depending on size.

Yarn Substitution Option: Rowan Kidsilk Haze can be substituted for the Swiss Mohair. This alternative yarn is composed of 70% Super Kid Mohair and 30% Silk, with 229 yards per 25-gram skein. The pattern recommends using 2 to 4 skeins of Kidsilk Haze as a substitute, depending on the desired size.

Needles and Gauge

The pattern is worked on US 9 (5.5mm) circular needles measuring 40 inches or longer. Circular needles of this length accommodate the width of the shawl and allow for seamless knitting in the round or flat.

The gauge is 11 stitches and 20 rows equals 4 inches square in Stockinette Stitch (St st) when using the specified yarns and needle size. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for obtaining the proper finished dimensions and drape of the shawl.

Yarn Weight and Characteristics

This pattern uses chunky weight yarn, which creates a dense, warm fabric that knits up quickly. The combination of the alpaca blend and mohair yarns held together produces a soft, luxurious hand with excellent insulating properties. Both yarns are washable, making the finished shawl practical for regular care and maintenance.