Vaski soi

Vaski soi Knitted Shawl by Eeva Kesäkuu

What is Being Made

Vaski soi is a slightly asymmetric triangular knitted shawl designed by Eeva Kesäkuu. The name, a Finnish phrase meaning that a brass instrument is being played, reflects the dynamic nature of this intermediate-level knitting project. The shawl is worked in the shape of an arrow, progressing from one corner to the long edge on the opposite side, creating a distinctive directional construction that results in elegant asymmetry.

Knitting Techniques and Construction

This shawl employs a corner-to-edge construction method, a popular technique in modern shawl design that allows for intuitive increases and a natural triangular shape. The pattern works from a single corner point outward toward the long opposite edge, which creates the arrow-like silhouette. This directional approach makes the shawl visually dynamic and interesting to knit.

The design accommodates two distinct color approaches: knitters can work with four colors that provide strong contrast for a bold, graphic appearance, or alternatively use colors that fade from one shade to another for a more subtle, ombré effect. This flexibility allows crafters to personalize the finished piece based on their yarn stash and aesthetic preferences.

Stitches Used

Vaski soi is worked primarily in garter stitch, the most fundamental and meditative of knitting stitches. Garter stitch is created by knitting every row, producing a reversible fabric with horizontal ridges on both sides. This stitch choice makes the shawl accessible to intermediate knitters while creating a fabric with excellent drape and texture. The gauge in garter stitch is 19 stitches and 45 rows per 10 centimeters (4 inches) when unblocked, though the pattern notes that gauge is not crucial to the success of this project, allowing for creative interpretation.

Yarn and Materials

The shawl is designed for fingering weight yarn, specifically 4-ply construction. The pattern recommends yarn such as Lanium ex Machina Polworth Silk, which offers 398 meters (435 yards) per 100 grams. The total yardage requirements are distributed across four colors:

• Color A: 362 meters / 395 yards or 91 grams (gray in the model shawl)
• Color B: 375 meters / 410 yards or 95 grams (pink in the model shawl)
• Color C: 275 meters / 300 yards or 70 grams (off-white in the model shawl)
• Color D: 366 meters / 400 yards or 92 grams (blue in the model shawl)

Needles required are 3.25 millimeters (US size 3) circular needles measuring at least 80 centimeters (32 inches) in length. Alternatively, knitters should select the needle size that produces a soft, drapeable fabric suited to their personal preferences and yarn characteristics. Additional supplies include a stitch marker for tracking pattern repeats, and optionally a removable stitch marker to identify the right side of the work.

Difficulty Level

Vaski soi is rated as an intermediate knitting project, making it suitable for knitters with foundational skills who are ready to explore shawl construction and color work. The straightforward garter stitch combined with the logical corner-to-edge shaping provides an engaging but manageable challenge.