Prairie Lace Shawl

Skill Level: Intermediate

Size: 53” [134.5 cm] wide along top edge and 24” [61 cm] deep at center after wet blocking

Gauge: 18 sts and 32 rows = 4” [10 cm] in Garter stitch after wet blocking

Materials

Yarn:

 Quince & Co. Finch (100% American wool; 221 yards [202 meters]/50 grams): #117 Sorbet (3 balls)

Needles: US size 6 (4.0 mm), 40” circular needles

Notions: US size F/5 (3.75 mm) hook, 4 stitch markers, waste yarn for provisional cast on, tapestry needle

Abbreviations

sk2p: Slip first stitch knitwise, knit the next two stitches together, then pass the slipped stitch over (decreases two stitches)

Special Stitches

Nermine Lace Inset

Row 1 (RS): Yo, k1, yo.

Row 2 and all WS rows: P all sts.
Row 3: Yo, k3, yo.
Row 5: Yo, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, yo.
Row 7: Yo, k2tog, yo, k3, yo, ssk, yo.
Row 9: (Yo, k2tog) twice, yo, k1, (yo, ssk) twice, yo.
Row 11: (Yo, k2tog) twice, yo, k3, (yo, ssk) twice, yo.
Row 13: (Yo, k2tog) three times, yo, k1, (yo, ssk) three times, yo.
Row 15: Yo, k2, yo, ssk, k7, k2tog, yo, k2, yo.
Row 17: Yo, k4, yo, ssk, k5, k2tog, yo, k4, yo.
Row 19: Yo, k1, k2tog, yo, k1, (yo, ssk) twice, k3, (k2tog, yo) twice, k1, yo, ssk, k1, yo.
Row 21: Yo, k1, k2tog, yo, k3, (yo, ssk) twice, k1, (k2tog, yo) twice, k3, yo, ssk, k1, yo.
Row 23: Yo, k1, (k2tog, yo) twice, k1, (yo, ssk) twice, yo, sk2p, (yo, k2tog) twice, yo, k1, (yo, ssk) twice, k1, yo.
Row 25: (Yo, k1, yo, ssk, k7, k2tog) twice, yo, k1, yo.
Row 27: (Yo, k3, yo, ssk, k5, k2tog) twice, yo, k3, yo.
Row 29: Yo, k3, *(yo, ssk) twice, k3, (k2tog, yo) twice *, k1; rep from * to *, k3, yo.
Row 31: *Yo, k2tog, yo, k3, (yo, ssk) twice, k1, k2tog; rep from * once more, yo, k2tog, yo, k3, yo, ssk, yo.
Row 33: *(Yo, k2tog) twice, yo, k1, (yo, ssk) twice, yo, sk2p; rep from * once more, (yo, k2tog) twice, yo, k1, (yo, ssk) twice, yo.
Row 35: Yo, k9, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, k7, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, k9, yo.
Row 37: Yo, k2, (yo, ssk, k5, k2tog, yo, k3) twice, yo, ssk, k5, k2tog, yo, k2, yo.
Row 39: Yo, k2, *(yo, ssk) twice, k3, (k2tog, yo) twice, k1; rep from * once more, (yo, ssk) twice, k3, (k2tog, yo) twice, k2, yo.
Row 41: Yo, k4, *(yo, ssk) twice, k1, (k2tog, yo) twice, k3; rep from * once more, (yo, ssk) twice, k1, (k2tog, yo) twice, k4, yo.
Row 43: Yo, k1, *k2tog, yo, k1, (yo, ssk) twice, yo, sk2p, yo, k2tog, yo; rep from * twice more, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, k1, yo.
Row 45: Yo, k8, (k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, k7) twice, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, k8, yo.
Row 47: Yo, k1, (yo, ssk, k5, k2tog, yo, k3) three times, yo, ssk, k5, k2tog, yo, k1, yo.
Row 49: *Yo, k1, (yo, ssk) twice, k3, k2tog, yo, k2tog; rep from * three more times, yo, k1, yo.
Row 51: *Yo, k3, (yo, ssk) twice, k1, k2tog, yo, k2tog; rep from * three more times, yo, k3, yo.
Row 53: *Yo, k2tog, yo, k1, (yo, ssk) twice, yo, sk2p, yo, k2tog; rep from * three more times, yo, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, yo.
Row 55: Yo, (k7, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk) four times, k7, yo.
Row 57: Yo, k7, (k2tog, yo, k3, yo, ssk, k5) three times, k2tog, yo, k3, yo, ssk, k7, yo.
Row 59: Yo, k2, *yo, ssk, k3, (k2tog, yo) twice, k1, yo, ssk; rep from * three more times, yo, ssk, k3, k2tog, yo, k2, yo.
Row 61: Yo, k2, *(yo, ssk) twice, k1, (k2tog, yo) twice, k3; rep from * three more times, (yo, ssk) twice, k1, (k2tog, yo) twice, k2, yo.
Row 63: Yo, k2, *(yo, ssk) twice, yo, sk2p, (yo, k2tog) twice, yo, k1; rep from * three more times, (yo, ssk) twice, yo, sk2p, (yo, k2tog) twice, yo, k2, yo.
Row 64: P all sts.

Pattern Notes

This shawl is worked from the top down, starting with a garter tab. Each right-side row has four increases. In the garter stitch section of the shawl, the increases are worked after the first marker, before the second, after the third, and before the fourth. When the lace inset begins, the second and third increases shift to between the second and third markers.

The crochet hook is used only for the edging. You do not need to know how to crochet to complete the edging; all you need to know how to do is pull a loop through another loop with the hook.

Pattern

Garter Tab

Using a provisional method of your choice, CO 3 sts. Work six rows; do not turn after finishing last row. Rotating work 90 degrees to the right, pick up 3 sts along the side of the garter tab (one st for each garter ridge). Undo provisional cast on and place the live stitches on your left needle, then knit across them. (9 sts on needle)

Set-up Row (WS): K3, pm, k1, pm, k1 (center st), pm, k1, pm, k3.

Garter Stitch Section

Row 1 (RS): K3, sm, m1L, k to next m, m1R, sm, k1 (center st), sm, m1L, k to next marker, m1R, sm, k3. (4 sts inc’d)
Row 2 (WS): K all sts, slipping markers as you come to them.
Rep Rows 1-2 forty-seven more times. (201 sts on needle)

Lace Inset Section

Row 1 (RS): K3, sm, m1L, k to next m, sm, work Row 1 of Nermine Lace Inset, working from chart or written instructions, sm, k to next m, m1R, sm, k3.
Row 2 (WS): K3, sm, k to next m, sm, p to next marker (Row 2 of Nermine Lace Inset pattern), sm, k to next m, sm, k3.
Repeat Rows 1-2 thirty-one more times, working subsequent rows of the Inset Chart between the second and third markers. (329 sts on needle)
Note: On last WS row, remove markers as you come to them.

Bind off using the crochet hook as follows: Place first st on needle on the hook and chain 5. *Insert hook through next 3 sts on the needle, drawn up a loop, and pull this loop through all four sts on the hook, then chain 5; rep from * until 1 st remains on the needle. Insert hook through last st, draw up a loop, and pull this loop through both sts on the hook. Cut yarn, leaving a tail to weave in, and pull it through the last st. Tighten to secure.

Finishing

Weave in all ends, but do not trim yarn tails. Place shawl in some lukewarm water, with some wool wash if desired for 20–30 minutes or until the water has fully penetrated the fibers of the yarn. Drain water and gently squeeze out excess. Then, fully supporting the shawl as you lift it, place it in a clean towel. Roll the towel up to remove even more water. Place the shawl on your blocking surface. If using blocking wires or thread, run wires/thread through top edge and pin in place. Then run wires/thread through crocheted loops on bottom edge and pin in place. Be sure to curve the bottom edge around the lace inset. Once the shawl is fully dry, remove any pins used and trim yarn tails.