Combine Lines and Texture in This Shawl Knitting Pattern

It feels like shawl season is just around the corner, so that must mean that shawl knitting season is already here! I love shawls that are relatively easy to knit but still include some fun techniques and details that make them fun to make and to wear. Something that will ensure that people know that you made it yourself instead of buying it from a shop.

The Synclines Shawl from Kavitha Raman is definitely one of those distinctive shawls that isn’t too difficult to knit. It’s worked with two colors and includes stripes made with slipped stitches and a striped mesh lace pattern.

The shawl starts with a short cast on and is increased to make an asymmetrical triangle shape. The main body of the shawl is worked in two color slip stitch on the bias, while the border adds mesh stitch stripes.

As the name suggests this gives the scarf the look of synclines, which is a fold in rock where the axis shifts. Who knew you could learn about geology while you are knitting?

While the pattern calls for DK weight yarn in two colors, you can use other weights or color combinations as you like. With a wingspan of 67.5 inches, this shawl is perfect for wrapping around your neck a couple of times and wearing more like a scarf.

This pattern is available for purchase on its own from Ravelry, or you can buy the ebook it is part of, The Sun and Fog winter 2022 collection (see all the patterns on Ravelry here). It’s a collection of nine knit and crochet patterns from Northern California designers that evoke the feeling of winter on the coast with muted hues and geologic forms. Most of the patterns are for knitters and they include wraps, a cowl, a cardigan, mitts and a hat.

[Photo: Ksenia Naidyon]

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If you’re new to lace knitting or just aren’t sure how to incorporate the technique into garments, check out these tops and sweaters that use lace as a decorative element.

The easiest lace out there is eyelets, and you can practice them plenty with this eyelet covered sweater from Knitcro Addict. It uses light/DK weight yarn and is worked in four pieces knit flat. It’s intended to be a little cropped and a little oversized, and includes sizes XS to XXL in the pattern.

If you’re in parts of the world where it’s getting colder as you read this, the Nora sweater from Bummbul might be a good choice. This is actually a great one for learning lace because it’s worked in super bulky yarn, which makes it easier to see what you’re doing and makes the lace super graphic. This one just comes in one size, with a 42 inch (106) cm bust, but that could fit a variety of people depending on how much ease you like.

Minimi Knit Design has a cute allover lace cardigan worked in one piece from the bottom up. It’s worked in lace weight mohair held double, which maybe isn’t the best for those new to lace (because it can be hard to rip out) but it sure is pretty. Sizes range to fit from 30 to 66 inches/76 to 168 cm bust measurements.

If you’d rather not have lace all over your sweater, you can knit the Lumi sweater from Originally Lovely, which has a chevron lace pattern on the yoke and is otherwise worked in reverse stockinette stitch. (It’s worked inside out so you don’t have to purl every stitch.) The pattern has 9 sizes from XS to 5XL and uses worsted weight yarn.

Or try the super romantic sookie blouse from Trust the mojo (available on Ravelry). This sweet top is started working flat from the bottom up and has a V-neck and I-cord edgings. The sleeves are worked separately in the round, and the pieces are all joined together to work in one piece to finish off the top. It comes in eight sizes and is available in English and French.

You can also pair lacy sleeves with an otherwise plain top, like on the Starflower Wrap from Annelise Driscoll Gingrow. This intermediate pattern makes a wrap sweater with generous lacy sleeves and a double wrap belt. The pattern has nine sizes, from XS to 5XL, and is available for free from Hobbi.

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