Pattern Scout
Pattern Scout: Heirloom Shawls
There truly is a knitting project for every frame of mind, isn’t there? Sometimes I want something quick and easy, and sometimes I want something to really get my teeth into.
This edition of Pattern Scout brings you inspiration for those days when you want to knit something that feels epic. The knitting equivalent of climbing a massive mountain perhaps?
This is the extreme end of knitting, but also one that also has a long history: heirloom lace shawls. I’ve made just three suggestions, as for many of us that would constitute years of knitting time, but I hope that their breath-taking beauty will inspire you to take on the challenge!
Eva Shawl by Gladys Amedro
The Eva Shawl by Gladys Amedro (available from Jamieson & Smith) is a traditional Shetland design, and an absolutely brilliant project for someone wanting to try working with a really fine yarn for the first time.
You start off by working the centre triangle in garter stitch. This allows you to acclimatize to knitting with a very fine yarn.
Then, just as you are starting to want some more interest, you transition to working the old shale lace pattern for the deep border. This stitch pattern incorporates plain knit rows, for a breather between lace pattern rows.
The shawl is then completed with a knitted-on border worked in a more complex lace pattern with patterning on both right- and wrong-side rows. The finished effect is absolutely beautiful and when worked in cobweb weight yarn, it will pass through a wedding ring. The pattern clocks in at a “modest” 1516 yards.
Full of Love by Cassie Rosse
For a little more challenge, what about Cassie Rosse’s (website link: www.lacebycr.com) stunning Full of Love shawl?
This triangular shawl uses the traditional Estonian technique of adding texture in the form of nupps—small bobble-like stitches—but in a modern style. The design features a range of heart shaped motifs, worked in both eyelets and nupps.
The shawl is cast on across the bottom two sides of the shawl and then decreases are worked to create the triangular shape. I find this construction very satisfying as the rows get shorter as you go, making the project feel as if it’s going more quickly!
With the large number of yarn-consuming nupps, this pattern uses a more substantial 2012 yards.
Gaada Stack Shawl by Iaroslava Rud
Iaroslava Rud is a Ukrainian designer who is inspired by traditional Shetland techniques and landscape. Garda Stack is a rock formation at the northern end of Foula in Shetland and the shapes are echoed in the lace motifs Iaroslava has used in all sections of the shawl.
This design will keep you on your toes as it uses lace patterning on both right- and wrong-side rows. Starting with the central square, which is worked back and forth, stitches are then picked up around the outside of the square and the inner border is worked in the round, before the shawl is completed with a lace edging which is knitted on sideways.
You will also need to know how to work a provisional cast on and to graft together stitches at the very end. The finished shawl is an absolute masterpiece and will both keep you warm and fill you with pride at your perseverance in completing it. This is the largest of our heirloom designs at a whopping 2600-3000 yards.
Heirloom lace projects aren’t for everyone, but I would definitely encourage you to give one a go. The sense of achievement when you complete such an epic knit is extraordinary. All of these projects are made up of the same knit and purl stitches as any knitting project—there are just a few more of them.
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Knitting fine lace is the ultimate in relaxation…at least for me…because I cannot think about anything else while I’m following the chart and counting.
I love knitting fine lace, Gaada Stack has been in my favorites for years! I can also recommend the Tina Shawl by Dorothy Siemens, I knit one as a christening shawl a few years ago and it was so much fun. And nothing compares to the magic of blocking fine lace….
This is an incredible challenge. And worthwhile. Thank you for the variety of patterns and ideas, I may actually try one. I love lace knitting, just returned from Shetland and love a challenge. The shawls are beautiful.
I love this thought! As person who has never knitted lace, I’m wondering if there are some small dish-cloth sized projects folks might recommend for understanding the basics before I leap into something epic? A doll blanket? I completely love how all of these epic patterns look. Dreamy!
I love knitting lace. It’s a lot of K2tog, SSK, and YO (in my experience). I’ve never used a lifeline but would recommend them because I did a lace scarf that I had to rip out after finding I’d somehow dropped stitches way back and couldn’t figure out how to fix it.
The Cranford Mitts (https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/cranford-mitts) are lace, knit with fingering weight yarn, and they knit up fairly quickly – I’ve made 3 pairs! But if you use dishcloths, look at the patterns that Deepa suggested.
Jeni, definitely start with a dishcloth. Here is what I found on Ravelry for “dishcloth” and “lace.”
https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/search#pc=washcloth&pa=lace&sort=favorites&view=captioned_thumbs
Pro tip: Use lifelines. A lifeline is waste yarn or floss that you thread through a row of stitches while they are on the needle. Then, if you need to rip back, you can transfer the lifeline stitches back to a needle and carry on. I use fishing line because it is stiff and easy to thread through the stitches.
I am an experienced lace knitters but for these shawls would definitely use lifelines. Don’t tempt fate!
Good luck! You can do it!
These are so beautiful, thank you for bringing them to my inbox! I don’t have an interest in making them but have utmost respect for knitters who do. That would include my husband’s great grandma who crocheted one that became the chuppah for our wedding, for sure an heirloom as you say.
I would love to knit a lacy tablecloth for my daughter. I have looked for patterns online and not found very many knitted ones. I really like the shawls you suggested. They are so pretty and delicate looking. My favorite one would have to be Gaada Stack Shawl.
Incredible but I already have a SBLE (stash beyond life expectancy) and nearing 80, cannot take on such a mammoth project. Kudos to those who dare!
That is simply awesome amazing to even think about. On the one hand tempting and on the other hand terrifying. I am so impressed. This looks like it takes a lifetime to make?
I admire these from afar! I am far too lazy to undertake these beautiful tests of skill. Thanks for the review!
Jeni, Elizabeth Lovick/Magical Shetland lace Shawls/2015 has apprentice pieces in the front of her book on Shetland shawls. They are small and give you a chance to practice the skills needed to make a bigger shawl in the Shetland style. My project for the winter to make a couple to check out the techniques.
Wow. Thanks for introducing us to these. My preference is Romi Hill’s amazing lace shawl patterns.
I love that about knitting: for anything you feel like, there’s a great pattern. Also check out Carol Christianson’s new book, Shetland Fine Lace Knitting. Not only a history but each example has a photo, a chart and a swatch photo. For smaller projects one could just do lots of swatches to learn the skills.
I love knitting lace – the rhythm as well as the beauty. One day I hope to knit an heirloom shawl.
I have always loved Jen and her writing. Keep these articles coming and thanks for this one.
Galina Khmeleva spent years getting to know Orenburg lace knitters in Russia and has been teaching workshops. I was lucky enough to take a class with her. She has an interesting personal story and is quite a force of nature. Some of her shawls may be smaller pieces that would be good to start with.
https://www.interweave.com/article/knitting/a-love-letter-to-galina-khmeleva-the-orenburg-lace-shawl/
https://www.galinakhmeleva.com/; https://www.galinakhmeleva.com/about
Wow Jen! Mind bending beauty in these gorgeous shawls! Not for me to try but certainly inspiring. My skills did run to simple haps and I felt like a genius when I completed one!
I made the Gaada Stack shawl in 2019 using a heavier yarn and thus adapting the stitch count of the center triangle so the size came out to what I wanted. My daughter wore it in her wedding photos. Garter stitch is not my favorite to work or to look at, so I did the borders in stockinette and was very happy with the result. Photos in the Gaada Stack project gallery on Ravelry.