Amortentia by Jennifer Dassau

Amortentia

Knitting
April 2013
DK (11 wpi) ?
16 stitches and 28 rows = 4 inches
in stockinette stitch
US 7 - 4.5 mm
300 - 400 yards (274 - 366 m)
shawlette S (shawl L); approximately 62" length and 9 (16)" depth
English
This pattern is available for $8.00 USD buy it now

The most powerful Love Potion in the Harry Potter world, Amortentia causes powerful infatuation or obsession in the drinker. It manifests as a different aroma to each who drinks it, recalling one’s favorite person, place or thing.
Indulge your own deep love by knitting your Amortentia shawl with a favorite color or irresistible yarn. This shawl is cast on with many stitches at the ruffled edge, which is knit with optional beads for extra sparkle and weight. By the end of the ruffle, the number of stitches is reduced by 2/3, then like the twists and turns of love, the edging and body are divided by a garter ridge, and the stitch pattern reverses itself into a wide rib. The long and narrow body is knit with short rows to the top edge, and finished with simple garter stitch. Instructions for two sizes are given, and differ only in the frequency of the short rows.
Irresistible looking from both sides, Amortentia is meant to be the embodiment of everything you love.

Techniques & Skills Used: longtail CO, knit/purl, beading (optional; prestrung and crochet hook methods, with link to tutorial), decreasing, short rows. This pattern includes links to my short rows and beading tutorials.

Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn Silky Merino (51% silk, 49% merino; 150 yards/50g): 2 (3) skeins; S shown in Lavandula, and L shown in Amoroso. The Silky Merino grows substantially when blocked, and makes a very drapey luxe shawl. For a similar result, choose a single ply yarn with significant silk or other non-springy fiber content.

Other Materials: US 7 (4.5mm) 32” circular needle, or size to match gauge; Removable stitch marker (1); Size 6/0 large hole seed beads (350), optional; 1.25 mm crochet hook for placing beads; Yarn needle.

Gauge: 16 st and 28 rows/4” in K3P1 Rib, after blocking. Gauge is not critical for this project, however a different gauge may result in a smaller or larger finished shawl, and different yardage requirements.

Thank you to my lovely test knitters, and my wonderful tech editor Kate Vanover.