I usually post knitting patterns that are relatively easy, not necessarily because I expect my audience is mostly beginners, but because knitters of all skill levels can potentially enjoy projects on the easier end of the skill level scale, especially when they have interesting design elements or details.
But every now and then I come across a pattern that’s decidedly not easy but is just so pretty I can’t resist sharing it for people who have those skills or want to learn those skills. (Remember: skill levels in knitting patterns do have specific meanings, but any pattern is doable as long as you can learn the skills involved.)
This is one of those “not easy but totally worth it” kinds of knitting patterns.
The String of Pearls shawl from Padma R. is a top down triangular shawl worked in brioche stitches in three colors. It also features cables and lace, but the designer has worked hard to make it approachable.
She notes in the pattern description on Ravelry that there are no complex cast ons or bind offs (though the bind off does include bobbles, there’s an option that doesn’t use them if you prefer). She also notes that shaping and patterning only occur on light color, right side rows, which leaves a lot of resting rows where nothing complicated is going on.
In addition, the pattern includes a 19-page photo tutorial to help you through the tricky bits, so it’s actually a good introduction to doing lace and cables in brioche (it’s a good idea to be familiar with brioche knitting and two-color brioche before you take this one on, though).
And while the name sounds like it was inspired by, well, pearls, the design was actually inspired by a plant called the string of pearls, which is a succulent that grows like a vine with round leaves that look like pearls. So fun!
You can grab a copy of this pattern on Ravelry.
[Photo: Padma R.]
