Squinch Shawl Knitting Pattern: A Unique Blend of Lace and Texture Inspired by Venetian Architecture

Squinch Shawl

Modeled after the curious squinch arches used in buildings with domes.

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 k3 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

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

110 sts in center.

Short Row Section 6

Repeat Rows 1-2 3 more times 8 total rows in this section). Short Row Section 6 Stitch Counts

Short Row Section 7

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

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 will need to work a WS row (this would be Row 16) before repeating the chart. Row 16 should be worked as Row 8. Textured Lace Motif Written Instructions

Finishing

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

Abbreviations

Voussoir Shawl, Squinch Shawl, Lancet Shawl. Special Stitches

Standard Stitches