Wellenschal

Wellenschal by riwollis

What is Being Made

The Wellenschal is a lace-weight knitted shawl designed by Iris Hammer of riwollis. This elegant accessory measures 20 cm in width and 140 cm in length, making it a versatile wrap suitable for draping around the shoulders or wearing as a decorative scarf. The shawl features a delicate wave pattern created through strategic use of knitting techniques, resulting in a flowing, graceful garment.

Techniques Used

This intermediate-level knitting project employs several fundamental lace-knitting techniques to achieve its characteristic wave design. The construction begins and ends with garter stitch borders, which provide structure and prevent curling at the edges. The main body of the shawl is worked from a stitch pattern that incorporates yarn overs and decreases to create the openwork wave motif. The pattern uses a 17-stitch repeat that is worked across the width of the piece, allowing the wave pattern to develop consistently throughout the shawl.

Stitches Used

• Knit Stitch (Rechte Masche): The fundamental right-leaning stitch used throughout the shawl for both structured sections and pattern rows
• Purl Stitch (Linke Masche): Left-leaning stitches incorporated into the pattern sequence to create texture and directional changes
• Yarn Over (Umschlag): Creates the openwork eyelets that form the lace pattern and contribute to the wave effect
• Knit Two Together (2 Maschen rechts zusammenstricken): A right-leaning decrease that works in conjunction with yarn overs to shape the waves
• Slip, Knit, Pass Slipped Stitch Over (2 Maschen rechts überzogen zusammenstricken): A left-leaning decrease used to balance the directional decreases and refine the wave pattern
• Garter Stitch: Created by knitting every row, this stitch is used for the 3-row borders at the beginning and end of the shawl
• Edge Stitches (Randmasche): Selvage stitches maintained on both sides to create neat, finished edges

Materials

The Wellenschal requires 50 grams of La Doro yarn, which is 100% wool in color 003. Lace-weight yarn is ideal for creating the delicate, open texture characteristic of this shawl design. Knitters will need size 4.5 to 5 mm needles to work with this yarn weight. The pattern calls for casting on 53 stitches, which accommodates the 17-stitch repeat plus 2 edge stitches on each side, allowing the wave pattern to repeat evenly across the width of the shawl.

Pattern Structure

The shawl is constructed using a charted stitch pattern that guides knitters through the sequence of knits, purls, yarn overs, and decreases. The pattern is worked in rows, with each row building upon the previous to develop the wave motif. The 17-stitch repeat is the fundamental unit of the pattern, and knitters follow the chart to maintain consistency throughout the project. The garter stitch borders at the beginning and end provide a finished appearance and help stabilize the lace pattern.