Arch Shawls Collection: Three Venetian-Inspired Short Row Shawl Patterns by Liz Abinante

Arch Shawls

Three short row shawls inspired by Venetian architecture.

Designed by Liz Abinante · feministy.com

Comprised of 3 patterns, the Arch Shawls collection features stitch motifs inspired by elements of Venetian architecture. I don't claim to be an expert on architecture, but the vast buildings throughout Italy inspired me to create shawls based on the styles used in their unique structures. All three shawls are quick projects and worked using short rows, each one making use of a cabled, lace, or textured motif.

Copyright Liz Abinante, feministy.com, 2010-2014. For non-commercial use only. Do not distribute or sell pattern/items made using pattern without permission. Patterm support is free. If you've found an error or have questions please email support@feministy.com.

Voussoir Shawl

Modeled after the wedge-shaped bricks that fill in the gaps in archways left behind by regular, lesser bricks. Designed by Liz Abinante · feministy.com

The smocked cable motif stacks rows of stitches in a similar fashion, creating miniature archways of cabled stitches. Paired with ribbing, this scarf has no proper top or bottom.

Materials

Finished size

10"/25cm at deepest point, 66.5"/169cm wingspan.

Notes

This shawl is shaped using short rows without wraps. If you have difficulty working short rows, I recommend using a removable marker to indicate where the short row ends. The gaps created by these short rows are closed using two special stitches: one for the first half of the shawl, and one for the second half. These special stitches are utilized instead of the wrap+turn method of short rows. If you prefer, you can work wrap+turn short rows.

Instructions

Set Up

Repeat Rows 1-2 3 more times 8 rows total

Short Row Section 1

Short Row Section 1 Stitch Counts

Repeat Rows 3-4 4 more times 12 total rows in this section).

Short Row Section 2

Short Row Section 2 Stitch Counts

Repeat Rows 3-4 12 more times 26 total rows in this section).

Closing Gaps

Break yarn. Rejoin at beginning of next row (RS) Work Rs row as follows: k all sts, closing gaps as you come to them. Gaps before center 10 sts: use cgf 22 gaps closed

Smocking

Work Rows 1-23 once:

Finishing

Bind off as follows: p2tog, \*sl st from right ndl to left ndl, p2tog, repeat from \* to end. Copyright Liz Abinante, feministy.com, 2010-2014. For non-commercial use only. Do not distribute or sell pattern/items made using pattern without permission. Pattern support is free. If you've found an error or have questions please email support@feministy.com.

Squinch Shawl

Modeled after the curious squinch arches used in buildings with domes. Designed by Liz Abinante · feministy.com

Tiny triangles hold up each vast roof in Venice, a centuries old marvel of engineering. Paried with garter stitch, this reversible stitch pattern makes excellent use of both lace and texture. Although official instructions are only provided for one size, this pattern can also be made with worsted weight yarn. You will need approximately 380 yds/347 m of worsted weight yarn at a gauge of 15 sts and 24 rows per 4"/10cm (use whatever needle gets you this gauge). I recommend a true worsted weight, not a light worsted Weight.

Materials

Finished size

7"/18cm at deepest point, 65"/165cm wingspan.

Notes

This shawl is shaped using short rows without wraps. If you have difficulty working short rows, I recommend us- ing a removable marker to indicate where the short row ends. The gaps created by these short rows are closed using two special stitches: one for the first half of the shawl, and one for the second half. These special stitches are utilized instead of the wrap+turn method of short rows. If you prefer, you can work wrap+turn short rows. The shawl can be worked in fingering weight if desired without making additional modifications.

Set Up

Using smaller needle, CO 286 sts 3 rows

Short Row Section 1

Short Row Section 1 Stitch Counts Repeat Rows 1-2 5 more times 12 total rows in this section).

Short Row Section 2

Short Row Section 2 Stitch Counts

Repeat Rows 1-2 once more 4 total rows in this section).

Short Row Section 3

Short Row Section 3 Stitch Counts Repeat Rows 1-2 once more 4 total rows in this section).

Short Row Section 4

Repeat Rows 1-2 once more 4 total rows in this section). Short Row Section 4 Stitch Counts

Short Row Section 5

Short Row Section 5 Stitch Counts Repeat Rows 1-2 3 more times 8 total rows in this section). 110 sts in center.

Short Row Section 6

Short Row Section 6 Stitch Counts

Repeat Rows 1-2 3 more times 8 total rows in this section).

Short Row Section 7

Repeat Rows 1-2 once more 4 total rows in this section). Short Row Section 7 Stitch Counts

30 sts in center.

Closing Gaps

Break yarn. Rejoin at beginning of next row (RS) Starting at edge, work next row (Rs) as follows: K1, k2tog, k to end, closing gaps as you come to them. Gaps before center 30 sts: use cgf 22 gaps closed Gaps after center 30 sts: use cgs 22 gaps closed Next row (WS): k all sts 285 sts

Switch to larger needle.

Textured Lace

Work 1 repeat of Squinch motif from lace chart or written instructions. Note: to work more than 1 repeat of the Squinch Chart, you wil need to work a WS row (this would be Row 16) before repeating the chart. Row 16 should beworked as Row 8.

Finishing

Bind off on WS as follows: p2tog, \*(sl st from right ndl to left ndl, p2tog), repeat from \* to end.

Lancet Shawl

Modeled after the Gothic lancet arches favored by Venetians. Designed by Liz Abinante · feministy.com

This shawl features elaborate points mimicking the dramatic arches in buildings across the canals. Worked in a single-ply lace weight yarn, the stitch motif becomes sharper with blocking.

Materials

Finished size

13.5"/34cm at deepest point, 68"/172cm wingspan.

Notes

This shawl is shaped using short rows without wraps. If you have difficulty working short rows, I recommend using a removable marker to indicate where the short row ends. The shawl can be worked in fingering weight, using slightly larger needles than usual for lace shawls to ensure that the lace pattern maintains its openwork nature. When working the lace chart, pay close attention to the lace rows that differ on the last repeat.

Instructions

Set Up

Short Rows

Work short rows as follows:

Repeat Rows 3-4 until you have 29 groups of 5sts on each side of the shawl, and 10 sts in the center. Break yarn. Rejoin the yarn ready to begin a WS row. p all sts, there is no need to close the gaps.

Switch to larger needles.

Lace Mesh

On Rows 2 and 4, you will be asked to drop the yos. You should only be dropping the stand-alone yos: do not drop the yos that have the sl st passed over them. You will be dropping a yo after purling 2 sts; the only exception to this are the edge stitches.

Work Rows 1-4 twice. Work Rows 1-3 once more 11 rows worked total). Next row, work as follows: p3tog, p to last 2 sts, p2tog 297 sts remaining).

Lace Edge

Work 1 repeat of Lace Edge motif from chart or written instructions. Lace Edge Motif: Written Instructions

Finishing

Bind off as follows: k1, sl1, \*sl 2 sts back to left ndl, k2tog, k1, repeat from \* to end. Block to points. Copyright Liz Abinante, feministy.com, 2010-2014. For non-commercial use only. Do not distribute or sell pattern/items made using pattern without permission. Pattern support is free. If you've found an error or have questions please email support@feministy.com.

Abbreviations

Voussoir Shawl, Squinch Shawl, Lancet Shawl. Special Stitches

Standard Stitches