Across the Valley by Jem Arrowsmith

Across the Valley

Knitting
December 2021
Fingering (14 wpi) ?
22 stitches and 33 rows = 4 inches
in Stockinette
US 5 - 3.75 mm
951 - 962 yards (870 - 880 m)
One size
English
This pattern is available for £5.00 GBP
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Across the Valley was inspired by the view from my favourite place in Greece which overlooks a deep, lush valley. It’s a large asymmetric triangular shawl which combines sections of cozy slipped stitches with a deep border of elegant lace.

Starting at the tip in the body colour, the shawl begins to take shape with a simple slipped stitch pattern. Easy to remember and full of texture, once you find your stride with the sequence of stitches the section grows quickly.

Next come the bold colourful stripes. Here you will blend the two larger sections using a contrast colour and create statement stripes that alternate with the border lace colour. These stripes continue the same familiar slipped stitch pattern that you have been working, but by adding in the new colours the stitches take on a whole new vista, tessellating together like the tiled rooftops of the houses below.

As you lower your gaze, the patterned slipped stitches break away into an elegant, airy lace pattern. Using just a handful of lace stitches, the pattern forms like leafy treetops, with eyelets letting the sunlight creep through. Once you reach the borders edge, the easy repeats make it easy to keep going for as long as your yarn will allow. Once finished, all that’s left for you to do is sit back admire the view of your lovely new shawl!

Stitches Used – Sl1 wyif, sl1 wyib, knit, purl, kfb, k2tog, yo, ssk, sl2tog-k1-psso

Sizes – One size

Measurements – The finished, blocked item has a wingspan of 100” (250cm) and a depth of 22” (56cm)

Materials

• Yarn A – Slipped Stitch Pattern – 437yd / 400m, 3.5 oz / 100g 4 ply, sock or fingering weight yarn. The yarn used in the pattern pictures is Under the Olive Tree Knits Milia Merino yarn, 100% Superwash Merino in the Biscuit colour
• Yarn B – Slipped Stitch Stripes – 87yd / 80m, 0.7 oz / 20g 4 ply, sock or fingering weight yarn. The yarn used in the pattern pictures is Under the Olive Tree Knits Chora Mini-Skein yarn, 75% Superwash Merino / 25% Nylon in the Espresso colour
• Yarn C – Slipped Stitch Stripes and Lace Border – 437yd / 400m, 3.5 oz / 100g 4 ply, sock or fingering weight yarn. The yarn used in the pattern pictures is Under the Olive Tree Knits Milia Merino yarn, 100% Superwash Merino in the Red Squirrel colour
• US size 5 (3.75mm) 32” (80cm) circular needle
• A tapestry needle for weaving in the ends

Gauge: 22 stitches and 33 rows to 4” (10cm) in stockinette stitch after blocking

This pattern has been tech edited and test knitted prior to publication.

Pattern Testimonials

“5 Stars! My daughter asked if she could keep it and she’s a knitter too!” – Sharon

“An amazing stashbuster. The fabric of the shawl is squishy and warm but the lace gives it a bit of glamour. This is a pattern I will want to remake again and again. The short rows, stripes and short repeats mean that the pattern is varied enough to keep you interested. Perfect for mini skeins too!” - Semele

“A really beautiful shawl that was a pleasure to knit” - Ruth

“I am not a good writer but what I can say is not only this shawl is beautiful, it also comes with an intelligent design” – Nahed