Yaveena

Yaveena Shawl by Brian Smith Designs

What is Being Made

The Yaveena is an intermediate-level knitted shawl designed by Brian Smith Designs. This downloadable PDF pattern creates a generous triangular wrap with a finished wingspan of 152cm and a depth at the widest point of 77cm, making it a substantial garment suitable for layering or wearing as a statement piece.

Craft and Primary Technique

This project is created using the knitting craft. The shawl employs a combination of fundamental and intermediate knitting techniques to construct its shape and texture. The pattern utilizes short-row shaping as a primary construction method, which allows the designer to create the triangular silhouette without requiring excessive increases across every row. This technique involves wrapping stitches and turning the work before completing a full row, building the shawl gradually from a small cast-on edge.

Stitches and Stitch Techniques Used

The Yaveena pattern incorporates a range of knitting stitches and abbreviations essential to intermediate-level knitting:

• Knit (K) and Purl (P) stitches form the foundation of the fabric
• Yarn Forward (YF) and Yarn Over (Yo) create decorative eyelets and lace elements
• Wrap and Turn (W&T) enables the short-row shaping that defines the shawl's triangular construction
• Slip stitches, including slip one purlwise (Sl1pw) and slip one knitwise, used for edge finishing and stitch manipulation
• Decrease stitches including Knit two together (K2tog), Slip slip knit (Ssk), and Slip one, knit two together, pass slipped stitch over (Sk2togp) for shaping
• Increase stitches including Knit into front and back (Kfb), Make one right (M1R), and Make one left (M1L) for expanding the fabric

The pattern uses stocking stitch as the primary fabric structure, which creates a smooth, classic knit appearance when blocked.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

The Yaveena pattern calls for Black Elephant fingering weight yarn in two complementary shades:

• Shade A (Petrolium): 2 skeins, approximately 180 grams and 648 meters total yardage
• Shade B (Hallucinations): 1 skein, approximately 45 grams and 160 meters total yardage

The yarn weight is classified as 4-ply fingering weight, a fine yarn that allows for intricate stitch definition and creates a delicate, elegant drape suitable for shawl construction.

Needles required include UK 3.75mm (US size 5) circular needles measuring 120cm in length and matching straight needles of the same gauge. The circular needles accommodate the large number of stitches as the shawl expands, while the straight needles are used for the provisional cast-on at the pattern's beginning.

Additional notions include a tapestry needle for weaving in ends and a blocking kit, as the finished shawl requires blocking to achieve its final measurements and even out the stitch definition.

Gauge and Finished Measurements

The pattern specifies a gauge of 16 stitches and 32 rows over 10 centimeters in stocking stitch when blocked. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for obtaining the intended finished dimensions. After blocking, the Yaveena measures 152 centimeters across the wingspan and 77 centimeters at its deepest point, creating a substantial triangular shawl.

Difficulty Level

This pattern is rated as intermediate difficulty, making it suitable for knitters who have mastered basic stitches and are ready to tackle more complex shaping techniques. The short-row construction and multiple stitch abbreviations require attention to pattern instructions and familiarity with intermediate knitting concepts, though the repetitive nature of the short-row sections provides opportunities to develop consistency and rhythm.