Zeppa Shawl

Zeppa Shawl by affiknity

What is Being Made

The Zeppa Shawl is an advanced-level knitted half-circle shawl designed by affiknity. This elegant accessory measures 20 inches in radius with a 40-inch wingspan and a 20-inch spine, making it a substantial wrap suitable for layering or draping. The shawl's name derives from "zeppa," the Italian word for wedge, reflecting its distinctive construction method and architectural design.

Construction and Techniques

The Zeppa Shawl is worked from the center outward in a half-circle shape, beginning with a stockinette stitch center. The shawl features multiple wedges that are worked individually, one at a time, creating a modular construction approach. Short rows are employed to shape each wedge, allowing the designer to achieve the precise half-circle silhouette and create visual interest through the interplay of different stitch textures.

The colorwork design uses a main color paired with two contrast colors, which are strategically placed within the garter-based stitch pattern wedges. This technique makes the contrast colored yarn visually pop against the primary color, creating striking color definition and textural contrast throughout the finished piece.

Stitches Used

• Stockinette stitch – used for the center foundation of the shawl
• Garter-based stitch pattern – used in the wedge sections to create texture and allow contrast colors to stand out
• Short rows – employed for shaping the wedges and achieving the half-circle construction

Yarn and Materials

The Zeppa Shawl is designed to be worked in Bessie May Smile yarn, which is composed of 100% Merino fiber. The yarn specifications are 120 yards per 50-gram skein. The pattern calls for three colors: Battleship (Grey) as the main color requiring 480 yards, Fair (Orange) as the first contrast color requiring 120 yards, and Lychee (Green) as the second contrast color requiring 80 yards. Total yardage needed is 680 yards.

Knitters will need two sets of circular needles: US #5 (3.75 mm) needles measuring 100 centimeters for the stockinette stitch sections, and US #7 (4.5 mm) needles measuring 100 centimeters for the colorwork stitch sections. The pattern specifies working to specific gauges after blocking to ensure proper finished dimensions.

Gauge Requirements

Achieving proper gauge is essential for this advanced project. The stockinette stitch center should measure 19 stitches by 26 rows over 4 inches (10 centimeters) when worked on the smaller US #5 needles and after blocking. The colorwork stitch sections in the wedges should measure 17 stitches by 24 rows over 4 inches (10 centimeters) when worked on the larger US #7 needles and after blocking. Blocking is integral to achieving the correct finished dimensions and drape of this shawl.