LILAH SHAWL
This shawl was inspired by a fallen angel’ character in one of my favorite sci-fi novel series. (Sharon Shinn's “The Samaria Series'; the second book in the series, "Jovah's Angel", features a character called Delilah, nicknamed Lilah.) Lilah's beautiful shadow-black tipped wings have always stuck in my head for some reason. When I started knitting lace shawls, and becoming obsessed with them, the idea for this design started fluttering it's wings inside my head. It was when I was further inspired by the beautiful Nightfall yarn that the idea took full flight! The shawl is made up of just two very easy lace motifs. I have gradually increased the size of the first motif, Fir Cone lace, to give the illusion of larger and larger feathers. Then the Fir Cone lace transitions to Feather lace, to add longer feathers to the bottom of the shawl. I designed the charts so that any number of each motif can be worked. Customize your wings - the sky is the limit! Charts and written instructions are included.
Yarn: Fingering or Laceweight yarn. Approximately 500- 1200 yards depending on shawl. See next page for more detail. Needles: One US 6-24 inch circular needle (for small) or one US 3 - 32 inch circular needle (for medium or large). Gauge: multiple gauges, see next page. Sizes: Small shawlette, medium shawlette, large shawl.
Notes:
This pattern is very adaptable. Any number of the main lace motifs can be worked before transitioning to the next. The final shape of the shawl will depend upon the numbers of repeats worked. The general shape is more than a triangle - the wings flare over the shoulders. Keep this in mind when blocking the shawl. This crescent shape of the shawl allows the shawl to sit very nicely on the shoulders, and keeps it in place with no shawl pin needed.
Abbreviations:
YO: Yarn over. This increases by 1 stitch. K1tbl: Knit one stitch through the back loop. This forms a twisted stitch. Ssk: Slip next 2 sts knitwise, one at a time, to right needle. Insert left needle into fronts of these 2 sts and knit them together. 1 stitch decreased - left leaning. K2tog: Knit 2 stitches together. 1 stitch decreased - right leaning. Sk2p: Slip 1 knitwise, k2tog, pass slipped stitch over. 2 stitches decreased. Cdd: Slip next 2 sts together, knitwise, as if to work a k2tog. Knit next stitch, then pass both slipped stitches over stitch just knit. This forms a centered double decrease. 2 stitches decreased.
Technique Descriptions:
Crochet Chain Provisional Cast On:
Using waste yarn, work a crochet chain several stitches longer than the number of stitches to be cast on. Starting 1 or 2 stitches in from end of chain and using working yarn, pick up and k 1 stitch in the back loop of each chain until the required number of stitches have been picked up. Later, the chain will be unraveled and the resulting live stitches picked up.
Working from Charts:
All charts (with the exception of the Edging chart) do not show the edge stitches or the center stitch. The center stitch is knit through the back loop on all right side rows. The edge stitches are worked in garter stitch (knit every row). When working from the charts, work the edge stitches and then work the stitches on the right of the chart until you reach the pattern repeat. Continue repeating the pattern repeat until just enough stitches are left before the center stitch marker to work the remaining chart row to the left of the pattern repeat. Then work the center stitch and repeat the process for the second half of the shawl. The wrong side rows are not shown on the charts. All wrong side rows are purled, except for the edge stitches, which are knit. Charts begin on page 5. Written chart directions begin on page 8.
Detailed Gauge Info and Yarn Requirements:
Gauge:
Correct gauge is not important for this project unless you are working with a limited quantity of yarn and wish to follow the exact sizes listed. Gauge is measured over a stockinette swatch on the planned needles. Gently block the swatch before measuring your gauge. S: 21 sts/32 rows = 4 inches on size US #6/ 4.0mm needles M: 24 sts/36 rows = 4 inches on size US# 3/3.25mm needles L: 27 sts/36 rows = 4 inches on size US#3/3.25mm needles
Yarn and Needle Requirements:
Lunar Zazzle Shawlette (Small Shawlette):
(shown in blue above and on page 4) Dream in Color Starry [98% superwash merino/2% silver fiber; 450yds/411m and 3.99oz/113g per skeinl; color: Lunar Zazzle; 1 skein (Note: The Shawlette pictured required approximately 445 yards - buy a second skein to be safe.) Finished Measurements: Length at center back: 22 inches Width: 44 inches Recommended needle size: 1 US 6/4.0mm circular needle, 24 inches or long er [always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed above - every knitter's gauge is unique]
Nightfall Shawlette (Medium Shawlette):
(shown in grey/black to right) FibroFibers Nightfall - Lilah Special Edition (a double skein of Glimmerino dyed in the Night fall technique) [65% superwash merino/35% ray on from bamboo; 1000yds/914m and 8oz/226g per skeinl; color: Lilah; 1 skein (Note: The pictured shawl required approximately 690 yards.) Finished Measurements: Length at center back: 23 inches Width: 44 inches Recommended needle size: 1 US 3/3.25mm circular needle, 32 inches or longer [always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed above - every knitter's gauge is unique]
Handspun Shawl (Large Shawl):
(shown in white/black on page 1 and 2) Approximately 1200 yards of handspun laceweight was used. See spinning notes on page 4 for more information. Commercial alternative: Malabrigo Yarn Lace [100% Baby Merino; 470yd/430m per 1.76oz/50g skeinl; 3 skeins (use 2 skeins of white and one of black to mimic the look of the handspun shawl) Finished Measurements: Recommended needle size: 1 US 3/3.25mm circular needle, 32 inches or longer [always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed above- every knitter's gauge is unique] Other Materials needed: Waste Yarn Stitch markers Tapestry Needle Blocking wires or pins
Directions:
Using crochet chain provisional cast on, cast on 2 sts. Knit 17 rows. At the end of the last row, turn work 90 degrees and pick up and purl 7 stitches along the side of the work, then remove the waste yarn and place the 2 cast on stitches on the left needle, knit across them. [11 sts] Next Row (RS): Knit first 2 edge stitches, work Row 1 of Set Up Chart, place marker, kltbl (center stitch), place marker, work Row 1 of Set Up Chart, knit last 2 edge stitches. [19 sts] The markers now indicate the center stitch position. From now on, unless indicated otherwise, work the center stitch through the back loop on right side rows, and purl on wrong side rows. The two stitches at the beginning and end of the row are the edge stitches - always work these in garter stitch. The wrong side rows are not shown on the charts. All wrong side rows are purled, except for the two edge stitches, which are knit. Work rows 2 through 12 of Set Up Chart, working center stitch and edge stitches as established. [43 sts] Work rows 13 through 18 of Set up chart 4[7, 7] times.107[155, 155] sts Work rows 1 through 14 of Chart A. 171[231, 231] sts Work rows 15 through 22 of Chart A 1 [2, 3] times. 191[271, 291] sts Work rows 1 through 18 of Chart B. 279[375, 399] sts. Work rows 19 through 28 of Chart B 0[0, 1] times. 279[375, 423] sts. Work rows 1 through 10 of Chart C. 303[399, 447] sts. Work rows 11 through 38 of Chart C 0[0, 1] times. 303[399,519] sts. Work Final Feather chart (36 rows). 363[459, 579] sts. Note: To work the Edging chart, work the first two and final two stitches as established (in garter stitch), but disregard the center stitch and simply repeat the Edging Chart across the entire row. The center stitch will end up falling in the center of the Edging Chart repeat.
S only:
Work rows 1 through 4 of Edging Chart.
M + L only:
Work rows 1 through 4 of Edging Chart 3 times. 363 [459,579] sts.
All Sizes:
Bind off on right side row as follows: k2, [slip both stitches back to left needle and k2tog, k1] repeat around. Break yarn and draw through last stitch.
Finishing:
Weave in ends. Block shawl in an appropriate manner (depending on fiber type) pin out lace edging and curve the wings into a flared shape. Allow to dry.
Spinning Notes:
Tools used: - Kromski Mazurka; [double drive, 10:1 ratio] - niddy noddy [Kromski : 48 inch] Fiber: [MC] Louet White Merino Top [100% Merino; 22 micron; topl; color: White; 6.6 ounces, (Product # 7.500, packaged in 1/2 Ib bags) [CC] Louet Black Dyed Merino Top [100% Merino; 22 micron; topl; color: Black; 1.4 ounces, (Product # 7.490, packaged in 1/2 Ib bags) WPI:30 Drafting Method: Worsted method with a short/ medium draw Plies: Single Ply Spun with slight over twisting, and then the twist was set by soaking and drying with slight tension. Final Yardage: 890yds/814m and 6.1oz/173g of white. 346yds/316m and 1.8oz/51g of white/black. Fiber Preparation: I spun 6.1oz of the white on it's own. I then spun a graduated white/black skein by starting with 0.5oz of the white and gradually adding in the black until I was working with pure black. The graduated white/ black section spans approximately 1o0 yards. (Note on handspun shawl construction: I knitted with the white yarn until row 20 of the Final Feather Chart. I then switched to the white/black skein for the remainder of the shawl. I ended up using approximately 835 yds of the white yarn before switching. The total yardage used on this shawl was 1115 yards.)
CHARTS
SetUpandSmallFirConeLaceChart
Chart A:Transition #1 and Medium Fir Cone Chart
WRITTEN CHART DIRECTIONS
All wrong side (even numbered) rows are worked in purl, except for the 2 edge stitches on each side, which are knit on wrong side rows. Work chart rows across to center marker, repeating the sections in brackets II until you have the number of stitches left (as indicated) before the marker. Work the center stitch as a knit stitch and then repeat the chart row across the second half of the shawl. Note: the edge stitches are not included in these directions, work them as directed before and after the charts are completed, as per the pattern directions.
Set Up and Small Fir Cone Chart:
R1: yo, kl, yo, kl, yo, kl, yo R2 (and ALL even rows): purl across R3: yo, k3, yo, k1, yo, k3, yo R5: yo, ssk, k3, yo, k1, yo, k3, k2tog, yo R7: yo, k3, yo, k2, cdd, k2, yo, k3, yo R9: yo, sk, k1, yo, k1, yo, k2, cdd, k2, yo, k1, yo, k1, k2tog, yo R11: yo, ssk, k2, yo, k1, yo, k2, sk2p, k2, yo, k1, yo, k2, k2tog, yo R13: yo, k2, Iyo, k2, cdd, k2, yo, k1l to last 9 sts, yo, k2, cdd, k2, yo, k2, yo R15: yo, k3, Iyo, k2, cdd, k2, yo, k1] to last 10 sts, yo, k2, cdd, k2, yo, k3, yo R17: yo, k3, yo, k1, Iyo, k2, sk2p, k2, yo, k1] to last 11 sts, yo, k2, sk2p, k2, yo, k1, yo, k3, yo R18: purl across Repeat rows 13-18 the desired number of times before moving on to Chart A.
Chart A:
R1: yo, k2, [yo, k2, cdd, k2, yo, k1] to last 1 st, kl, yo R3: yo, k2, [k1, yo, k2, cdd, k2, yol to last 3 sts, k3, yo R5: yo, k3, yo, k1, Iyo, k2, yo, sk2p, yo, k2, yo, k1l to last 3 sts, yo, k3, yo R7: yo, k1, yo, k3, cdd, [k3, yo, k1, yo, k3, cdd] to last 4 sts, k3, yo, k1, yo R9: yo, k2, yo, k3, cdd, [k3, yo, k1, yo, k3, cdd] to last 5 sts, k3, yo, k2, yo R11: yo, k2, yo, k1, yo, k3, cdd, [k3, yo, k1, yo, k3, cdd] to last 6 sts, k3, yo, k1, yo, k2, yo R13: yo, k4, yo, k1, yo, k3, sk2p, [k3, yo, k1, yo, k3, sk2pl to last 8 sts, k3, yo, kl, yo, k4, yo R15: yo, k2, Iyo, k3, cdd, k3, yo, k1] to last 1 st, k1, yo R17: yo, k3, Iyo, k3, cdd, k3, yo, k1l to last 2 sts, k2, yo R19: yo, ssk, k1, yo, k1, Iyo, k3, cdd, k3, yo, k1] to last 3 sts, yo, k1, k2tog, yo R21: yo, k4, yo, k1, Iyo, k3, sk2p, k3, yo, k1] to last 4 sts, yo, k4, yo R22: purl across Repeat rows 15-22 the desired number of times before moving on to Chart B.
WRITTEN CHART DIRECTIONS
Chart B:
R1: yo, k2, [yo, k3, cdd, k3, yo, k1l to last 1 st, kl, yo R3: yo, k3, [yo, k3, cdd, k3, yo, k1] to last 2 sts, k2, yo R5: yo, k3, yo, k1, Iyo, k3, cdd, k3, yo, k1] to last 3 sts, yo, k3, yo R7: yo, k5, yo, k1, lyo, k3, yo, sk2p, yo,k3, yo, k1l to last 5 sts, yo, k5, yo R9: yo, k2, yo, k4, cdd, [k4, yo, k1, yo, k4, cdd] to last 6 sts, k4, yo, k2, yo R11: yo, k3, yo, k4, cdd, [k4, yo, k1, yo, k4, cdd] to last 7 sts, k4, yo, k3, yo R13: yo, k4, yo, k4, cdd, [k4, yo, k1, yo, k4, cdd] to last 8 sts, k4, yo, k4, yo R15: yo, k4, yo, k1, yo, k4, cdd, [k4, yo, k1, yo, k4, cdd] to last 9 sts, k4, yo, k1, yo, k4, yo R17: yo, k6, yo, k1, yo, k4, sk2p, [k4, yo, k1, yo, k4, sk2pl to last 11 sts, k4, yo, k1, yo, k6, yo R19: yo, ssk, yo, k1, Iyo, k4, cdd, k4, yo, k1l to last 2 sts, yo, k2tog, yo R21: yo, ssk, k1, yo, k1, Iyo, k4, cdd, k4, yo, k1] to last 3 sts, yo, k1, k2tog, yo R23: yo, ssk, k2, yo, k1, Iyo, k4, cdd, k4, yo, k1] to last 4 sts, yo, k2, k2tog, yo R25: yo, ssk, k3, yo, k1, Iyo, k4, cdd, k4, yo, k1] to last 5 sts, yo, k3, k2tog, yo R27: yo, k6, yo, k1, Iyo, k4, sk2p, k4, yo, k1l to last 6 sts, yo, k6, yo R28: purl across Repeat rows 19-28 the desired number of times before moving on to Chart C.
Chart C :
R1: yo, ssk, yo, k1, yo, ssk, k3, [k4, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, k3] to last 9 sts, k4, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, k2tog, yo R3: yo, ssk, yo, k3, yo, ssk, k2, [k3, k2tog, yo, k3, yo, ssk, k2] to last 10 sts, k3, k2tog, yo, k3, yo, k2tog, yo R5: yo, k2, ssk, yo, k1, yo, k2tog, yo, ssk, k1, I k2, k2tog, yo, ssk, yo, k1, yo, k2tog, yo, ssk, k1l to last 11 sts, k2, k2tog, yo, ssk, yo, k1, yo, k2tog, k2, yo R7: yo, k3, ssk, yo, kl, yo, k2tog, k1, yo, ssk, [k1, k2tog, yo, k1, ssk, yo, k1, yo, k2tog, k1, yo, ssk] to last 12 sts, k1, k2tog, yo, kl, ssk, yo, k1, yo, k2tog, k3, yo R9: yo, k2, yo, k2, ssk, yo, k1, yo, k2tog, k2, yo, [sk2p, yo, k2, ssk, yo, k1, yo, k2tog, k2, yol to last 14 sts, sk2p, yo, k2, ssk, yo, k1, yo, k2tog, k2, yo, k2, yo R11: yo, k1, yo, [cdd, yo, ssk, k2, yo, k1, yo, k2, k2tog, yol to last 4 sts, cdd, yo, k1, yo R13: yo, k2, yo, Icdd, yo, ssk, k2, yo, k1, yo, k2, k2tog, yol to last 5 sts, cdd, yo, k2, yo R15: yo, k3, yo, Icdd, yo, ssk, k2, yo, kl, yo, k2, k2tog, yol to last 6 sts, cdd, yo, k3, yo R17: yo,k4, yo, Icdd, yo, ssk, k2, yo, k1, yo, k2, k2tog, yol to last 7 sts, cdd, yo, k4, yo R19: yo, k1, yo, k2, k2tog, yo, Icdd, yo, ssk, k2, yo, k1, yo, k2, k2tog, yol to last 8 sts, cdd, yo, ssk, k2, yo, k1, yo R21: yo, k2, yo, k2, k2tog, yo, Icdd, yo, ssk, k2, yo, k1, yo, k2, k2tog, yol to last 9 sts, cdd, yo, ssk, k2, yo, k2, yo R23: yo, k2, yo, k1, yo, k2, k2tog, yo, Icdd, yo, sk, k2, yo,k1, yo, k2, k2tog, yol to last 10 sts, cdd, yo, ssk, k2, yo, kl, yo, k2, yo R25: yo, k4, yo, kl, yo, k2, k2tog, yo, Icdd, yo, ssk, k2, yo,k1, yo,k2, k2tog, yol to last 12 sts, cdd, yo, sk, k2, yo, k1, yo, k4, yo WRITTEN CHART DIRECTIONS R27: yo, k6, yo, kl, yo, k2, k2tog, yo, Icdd, yo, ssk, k2, yo, k1, yo, k2, k2tog, yol to last 14 sts, cdd, yo, sk, k2, yo, k1, yo, k6, yo R29: yo, k4, ssk, k2, yo, kl, yo, k2, k2tog, yo, Icdd, yo, ssk, k2, yo, kl, yo, k2, k2tog, yol to last 16 sts, cdd, yo, ssk, k2, yo, kl, yo, k2, k2tog, k4, yo R31: yo, k5, yo, ssk, k5, k2tog, yo, k1, [k2, yo, ssk, k5, k2tog, yo, k1l to last 16 sts, k2, yo, ssk, k5, k2tog, yo, k5, yo R33: yo, k2, sk, yo, kl, yo, k2tog, yo, ssk, k3, k2tog, yo, sk, yo, [kl, yo, k2tog, yo, ssk, k3, k2tog, yo,ssk, yol to last 17 sts, kl, yo, k2tog, yo,ssk, k3, k2tog, yo, sk, yo, k1, yo, k2tog, k2, yo R35: yo, k3, sk, yo, kl, yo, k2tog, kl, yo, ssk, kl, k2tog, yo, kl, ssk, yo, [k, yo, k2tog, kl, yo, ssk, k1, k2tog, yo, k, ssk, yol to last 18 sts, kl, yo, k2tog, k1, yo, ssk, k1, k2tog, yo, k1, sk, yo, k1, yo, k2tog, k3, yo R37: yo,k, yo,, ssk, yo,, yo,tog,k,yo, skp,yo,k2,ssk, yo,k1, yo,kog,k, yo, skp, yo,k, ssk, yoltolast 19 sts,kl, y, k2tog, k2, yo, sk2p, yo, k2, ssk, yo, kl, yo, k2tog, k2, yo, k2, yo R38: purl across Repeat rows 11-38 the desired number of times before moving on to the Final Feather chart.
Final Feather Chart:
R1: yo, k1, Iyo, cdd, yo, ssk, k2, yo, k1, yo, k2, k2togl to last 4 sts, yo, cdd, yo, k1, yo R3: yo, k2, Iyo, cdd, yo, ssk, k2, yo, k1, yo, k2, k2togl to last 5 sts, yo, cdd, yo, k2, yo R5: yo, k3, Iyo, cdd, yo, ssk, k2, yo, k1, yo, k2, k2togl to last 6 sts, yo, cdd, yo, k3, yo R7: yo, ssk, k2, Iyo, cdd, yo, ssk, k2, yo, k1, yo, k2, k2togl to last 7 sts, yo, cdd, yo, k2, k2tog, yo R9: yo, k4, Iyo, cdd, yo, ssk, k2, yo, k1, yo, k2, k2togl to last 7 sts, yo, cdd, yo, k4, yo R11: yo, kl, yo, k2, k2tog, lyo, cdd, yo, ssk, k2, yo, kl, yo, k2, k2togl to last 8 sts, yo, cdd, yo, sk, k2, yo, k1, yo R13: yo, k2, yo, k2, k2tog, Iyo, cdd, yo, ssk, k2, yo, k1, yo, k2, k2togl to last 9 sts, yo, cdd, yo, ssk, k2, yo, k2, yo R15: yo, k3, yo, k2, k2tog, Iyo, cdd, yo, ssk, k2, yo, k1, yo, k2, k2togl to last 10 sts, yo, cdd, yo, ssk, k2, yo, k3, yo R17: yo, ssk, k2, yo, k2, k2tog, Iyo, cdd, yo, ssk, k2, yo, k1, yo, k2, k2togl to last 11 sts, yo, cdd, yo, ssk, k2, yo, k2, k2tog, yo R19: yo, ssk, kl, yo, kl, yo, k2, k2tog, Iyo, cdd, yo, sk, k2, yo, kl, yo, k2, k2togl to last 11 sts, yo, cdd, yo, ssk, k2, yo, kl, yo, kl, k2tog, yo R21: yo, ssk, k2, yo, k1, yo, k2, k2tog, Iyo, cdd, yo, sk, k2, yo, kl, yo, k2, k2togl to last 12 sts, yo, cdd, yo, ssk, k2, yo, k1, yo, k2, k2tog, yo R23: yo,k1, ssk, k2, yo,k, yo,k, ktog, yo, cdd, yo, sk, k2, yo,kl, yo, k, ktogl tolast 13 sts, yo, dd, yo, ssk, k2, yo,kl, yo, k k2tog, kl, yo R25: yo, ssk, ssk, k2, yo, kl, yo, k2, k2tog, Iyo, cdd, yo, ssk, k2, yo, kl, yo, k2, k2togl to last 14 sts, yo, cdd, yo, sk, k2, yo, k1, yo, k2 k2tog, k2tog, yo R27:yo,k, sk,k2,yo,kl,yo,kktog,y,cdd, y, sk,k,yo,k,yo,k,ktog tlast 14 sts,y, dd,yo, sk,k2,yo,kl,y,k k2tog,k2, yo R29: yo, k3, yo, ssk, k5, k2tog, yo, [k3, yo, ssk, k5, k2tog, yol to last 15 sts, k3, yo, ssk, k5, k2tog, yo, k3, yo R31: yo, ssk, yo, kl, yo, k2tog, yo, ssk, k3, k2tog, yo, ssk, Iyo, kl, yo, k2tog, yo, ssk, k3, k2tog, yo, ssk] to last 15 sts, yo, k1, yo, k2tog yo, ssk, k3, k2tog, yo, ssk, yo, k1, yo, k2tog, yo R33: yo,kl, sk, yo,k, yo,ktog, kl, yo, k, k, ktog, yo,k, ssk, yo,k, yo, ktog,k, yo, ssk, k1, ktog, yo,k1, ssk tolast 16 sts,
WRITTEN CHART DIRECTIONS
yo, kl, yo, k2tog, k1, yo, ssk, k1, k2tog, yo, k1, ssk, yo, kl, yo, k2tog, k1, yo R35:yo,k, ssk,y,k, y,ktog,k2,yo, skp,yo,k2, sk, y,k1,y,ktog,k,y, skp,y,k, ssktolast 17sts,y,k,yo,k, k2, yo, sk2p, yo, k2, ssk, yo, k1, yo, k2tog, k2, yo R36: purl across Work Final Feather Chart only once.
Edging Chart:
R1: knit 2 edge stitches, then kl, yo, ssk, yo, ssk, kl, k2tog, yo, k2tog, yo, k1, k2, yo, ssk, yo, ssk, k1, k2tog, yo, k2tog, yo, k2 ALL the way across shawl (including center stitch) until 12 stitches before remaining 2 edge stitches , k1, yo, ssk, yo, sk, k1, k2tog, yo, k2tog, yo, k1, then knit 2 edge stitches R3: knit 2 edge stitches, then yo, ssk, yo, ssk, yo, cdd, yo, k2tog, yo, k2tog, yo, [k1, yo, sk, yo, ssk, yo, cdd, yo, k2tog, yo, k2tog, yol ALL the way across shawl until 12 stitches before remaining 2 edge stitches, k1, yo, ssk, yo, ssk, yo, cdd, yo, k2tog, yo, k2tog, yo, then knit 2 edge stitches R4: knit 2 edge stitches, purl across to last 2 sts, knit 2 edge stitches Repeat rows 1-4 the indicated number of times.
This Pattern is provided for your personal, non-commercial use and may not be resold or shared. Questions? Problems? Email heather@knitsbyheather.com or check the knitsbyheather.com erratapage.
