Turnleaf

Turnleaf Shawl by Taiga Hilliard Designs

Project Overview

Turnleaf is a knitted shawl designed by Taiga Hilliard Designs, offered as a downloadable PDF pattern. This intermediate-level project combines the simplicity of garter stitch with delicate lace elements, creating a versatile accessory suitable for knitters with some experience. The shawl is constructed sideways, allowing for intuitive increases and a unique construction method that differs from traditional top-down or bottom-up shawl patterns.

What Is Being Made

The Turnleaf is a knitted shawl featuring a blend of textured and lacy sections. The design utilizes garter stitch as the primary fabric, with incorporated lace motifs that add visual interest and an airy quality to the finished piece. The sideways construction method creates a distinctive drape and allows crafters to customize the final dimensions based on their yarn choice and desired finished size.

Knitting Techniques Used

• Sideways construction: The shawl is knit horizontally rather than in traditional radial or linear directions, offering a unique approach to shawl design
• Increases: Knit front and back (KFB) stitches are used to expand the stitch count gradually throughout the pattern
• Decreases: Knit two together (K2tog) and slip, slip, knit (SSK) decreases are employed to shape the shawl and balance increases
• Double decreases: Double decrease (DD) stitches create more dramatic shaping in lace sections
• Lace integration: Yarn overs (YO) combined with decreases form the lace pattern, which is provided in both written and charted formats for clarity

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

• Garter stitch: Knit on the right side and purl on the wrong side, creating a reversible, textured fabric that serves as the foundation of the design
• Lace stitches: Yarn overs paired with decreases (SSK and K2tog) create openwork sections that contrast with the solid garter stitch areas
• Increase stitches: KFB (knit front and back) increases are worked at strategic points to expand the shawl
• Decrease stitches: K2tog, SSK, and DD (double decrease) stitches are used for shaping and lace construction

Materials and Specifications

Yarn: The pattern is written for Anzula Vera in sport weight yarn. The design requires 720 yards total, though the pattern notes that it can be adjusted to any weight of yarn and yardage, making it adaptable for different yarn selections and desired finished sizes.

Needles: US size 9 (5.50 mm) needles are recommended for the specified yarn and gauge.

Gauge: 12 stitches equals 4 inches in garter stitch, which is essential for achieving the correct finished dimensions.

Pattern Structure

The Turnleaf pattern begins with a two-stitch cast-on and uses increases in the initial rows to establish the working width. The main body involves repeating rows 3 and 4 a total of 34 times to build the shawl's length. The lace section is introduced in row 5 with yarn overs and decreases, creating the decorative element. Both written instructions and charts are provided for the lace portion, allowing knitters to follow their preferred method.

Difficulty Level

Classified as intermediate, this pattern assumes familiarity with basic knitting techniques including increases, decreases, and reading pattern instructions. The combination of garter stitch simplicity with lace elements provides an approachable challenge for knitters looking to expand their skills without overwhelming complexity.