Shetland Shawl

The flora and fauna of the Shetland Isles are depicted in colourwork on this bright and beautiful shawl

PATTERN NOTES

The first part of the shawl is knitted back and forth on 40cm circular needles until the circle can be closed.

SHAWL

Using 3.5mm needles and Yarn B, cast on 4 sts. Row 1 (RS): KFB, K to last st, KFB. 2 sts inc’d. Row 2: PFB, P to last st, PFB. 2 sts inc’d. Rep Rows 1 and 2 three more times. 20 sts. Cont to increase as set on every row, work Charts as folls: Beg working Chart A, making sure to centre the middle of the flower on the first row, working the 14-row rep twice. Cont working through Charts B to O. If preferred, when there are enough stitches to join in the round, cast on 6 extra stitches (to make a steek) and join to work in the round. Work steek sts in two alternate colours and switch these on every round. When all charts are complete there should be 504 sts (not counting steek sts).

EDGING

Cast off the 6 steek sts (if necessary). Cont to work in rows in yarn Y as folls: Next row: KFB, K to last st, KFB. Next row: PFB, P to last st, PFB. Next row: KFB, K to last st, PFB. Next row: Knit (turning row). Next row: K2tog, K to last 2 sts, K2tog. Next row: P2tog, P to last 2 sts,P2tog. Next row: K2tog, K to last 2 sts, K2tog. Cast off. Steeked version Using a sewing machine, work a line of zigzag stitches either side of the centre of the steek twice. Cut the shawl at the centre of the steek (between the two rows of zigzag stitches). Both versions Using Yarn Y, pick up stitches at the diagonal sides of the shawl, starting after the Yarn Y border on the top left and ending before it on the top right. Pick up one stitch per stitch and pick up one extra stitch every seventh stitch. Each diagonal side should have the same number of stitches. Mark one centre stitch in the cast-on tip of the shawl with a locking stitch marker. Work in rows as folls: Row 1: PFB, P to centre st, M1, P1, M1, P to last st, PFB. Row 2: KFB, K to centre st, M1, K1, M1, K to last st, KFB. Row 3: Knit (turning row). Row 4: K2tog, K to last 2 sts, K2tog. Row 5: P2tog, P to last 2 sts,P2tog. Row 6: K2tog, K to last 2 sts, K2tog. Cast off. Finish the seams by folding the borders at the turning rows and sewing them invisibly to the inside of the shawl, working stitch to stitch all around. Make sure the corners fit nicely and graft them together invisibly.

LACE EDGES

Using Yarn V, loosely pick up and knit 523 sts in Yarn Y from the top edge of the shawl. Work Rows 1-11 of Chart P, working the 18-st repeat 29 times. Loosely cast off all stitches. Using Yarn V, pick up and knit 288 sts from the top edge down to the centre tip of the shawl, pick up 1 st in the tip, then pick up 288 along the other diagonal edge to the top of the shawl. 577 sts. Work Rows 1-11 of Chart P, working the 18-st repeat 32 times. Loosely cast off all stitches. Weave in all ends. Make sure the corners fit nicely and loosely graft them together invisibly.

EMBROIDERY

Embroider the cross stitches and chain stitches on the shawl as indicated on the charts.

FINISHING

Wash the shawl and dry it flat, following any yarn care instructions on the ball band. Block the lace edge and stretch each point of the lace edge outwards with pins in order to create ‘waves’ around ‘the Island’. The shawl should feel very soft after blocking.