The Afternoon tea shawlette was designed with a 1950s style
frock and a perfectly frosted cupcake in mind.
This frothy, lacy little number is just
perfect for wrapping around the shoulders.
Although more
for adornment than warmth, it could also
be worn around the neck with a cardigan
or coat to keep out a breeze.
And the best news is that it can be knitted up from a single
skein of sock weight yarn - perfect for those beautiful, lonely,
solo skeins in your stash.
Afternoon tea's crescent shape creates a pretty drape around
the shoulders and looks lovely in both
the solid or variegated yarns suggested. The shape is a
nod to Elizabeth Zimmermann's Pi shawl
with the number of stitches roughly doubling at every increase
row.
This could make an ideal project for
those dipping their toe into lace knitting as the lace patterns
in the shawl are quite straightforward.
So get out your vintage china, whip up some cakes and invite
your friends around for a nice cup of tea.
Recommended needle size [always use a needle
size that gives you the gauge
listed below -- every knitter's
gauge is unique] 32-inch
US #6/4mm circular needle
Notions blunt-tipped yarn needle
GAUGE
20 sts/28 rows = 4 inches
in stockinette stitch after blocking
Gauge is not critical for this project, as long as you like how the fabric
looks.
PATTERN NOTES [Knitty's list of standard abbreviations and techniques can be found here.]
Charts
The charts for this pattern are very large
and fit on a letter-sized page.
Click here and print the resulting page.
Row 9 [WS]: K2, [yo, k1] to
last 2 sts, yo, k2. 19 sts.
Rows 10-14: Knit.
Row 15 [WS]: K2, [yo, k1]
to last 2 sts, yo, k2. 35 sts.
Lattice Lace Section: Rows 16-18: Knit
Row 19 [WS]: K2, [yo, k2tog]
to last st, k1.
Rows 20-22: Knit.
Row 23 [WS]: K2, [k2tog,
yo] to last 3 sts, k3.
Rows 24-26: Knit.
Row 27 [WS]: K2, [yo, k2tog]
to last st, k1.
Rows 28-30: Knit.
Row 31 [WS]: K2, [yo, k1]
to last 2 sts, yo, k2. 67 sts.
Rows 32-34: Knit.
Row 35 [WS]: K2, [yo, k2tog]
to last st, k1.
Rows 36-38: Knit. Row 39 [WS]: K2, [k2tog,
yo] to last 3 sts, k3. Rows 40-42: Knit. Row 43 [WS]: K2, [yo, k2tog]
to last st, k1. Rows 44-46: Knit. Row 47 [WS]: K2, [k2tog,
yo] to last 3 sts, k3. Rows 48-50: Knit. Row 51 [WS]: K2, [yo, k2tog]
to last st, k1. Rows 52-54: Knit. Row 55 [WS]: K2, [yo, k1]
to last 2 sts, k2. 130 sts. (Note:
there is no yo before last 2 sts on
this row).
Rows 56-58: Knit. Row 59 [WS]: K2, [yo, k2tog]
to last 2 sts, k2. Rows 60-62: Knit. Row 63 [WS]: K2, [k2tog, yo]
to last 2 sts, k2.
Repeat Rows 56-63 4 more times. Rows 96-102: Knit. Row 103 [WS]: K2, [yo, k1] to last 2 sts, yo, k2. 257 sts.
Branches Lace Section: Row 104 [RS]: Knit.
Row 105 [WS]: K2, purl to
last 2 sts, k2.
Note: From here, work from following
written directions or the Branches
Pattern chart as you prefer.
Row 106 [RS]: K2, [k3, k2tog,
yo, k1, yo, ssk, k3] to last 2 sts, k2.
Row 107 [WS](and
all following wrong side/odd numbered
rows in this section): K2, purl to last 2 sts,
k2.
Row 108 [RS]: K2, [k2, k2tog,
yo, k3, yo, ssk, k2] to last 2 sts,
k2.
Row 110 [RS]: K2, [k1, (k2tog,
yo) twice, k1, (yo, ssk) twice, k1]
to last 2 sts, k2.
Row 112 [RS]: K2, [(k2tog,
yo) twice, k3, (yo, ssk) twice] to
last 2 sts, k2.
Picot Bind Off:
Cast off 2 sts, [slip resulting st back
onto left needle, cast on 2 sts using
knitted cast on method, cast off 5 sts]
to end.
FINISHING
Weave in ends.
Soak in lukewarm water for 20 minutes. Gently squeeze out excess water
and roll in a towel.
Lay flat on blocking surface and using blocking wires
gently stretch into a semi circular shape. Use two separate wires along
the top edge as it will form an angle so the shawl is slightly more than
a semicircle. See diagram as a guide.
ABOUT THE DESIGNER
Helen Stewart lives in London, England
and is inspired by the culture and fashion in the city. She finds
knitting provides a satisfying escape from work
and domestic details and is most happy
getting immersed in a challenging lace
project.
She's HellsBells on
Ravelry and occasionally blogs here.
FINISHING
