Boone Bridge Shawl

The Boone Valley Historic Railroad takes passengers on a scenic ride through the Des Moines river valley.  The highlight of the excursion is when the train emerges from a thick tunnel of trees and out onto an open-side trestle bridge with a breathtaking view out over the treetops and hills in the valley below. It’s a vista I won’t soon forget and the inspiration for this shawl.

The wide spine with its elongated caliper cable is reminiscent of the train tracks, cutting through an asymmetric shawl patterned in a meandering Japanese lace, reminiscent of the tree-tops. The shape of the shawl is achieved with uneven increases on every right side row. The lace offers no rest for the weary, however, as the pattern is worked on both sides. Advanced beginners will find the pattern a fun challenge that grows their lace skills, and experienced knitters will enjoy a pattern that keeps their attention throughout while offering something new in the shaping.

Size

70” (178 cm) wingspan and 35” (86 cm) depth after blocking

While the pattern offers one size, it can easily be modified by working fewer or more rows.

Yarn

You will need approximately 1,148 yds [1,050m] of DK weight yarn.  I recommend choosing a smooth yarn with little to no variation to give the lace stitches definition.

The sample was knit using Cloudborn Highland DK (100% Fine Highland Wool; 164 yds [150 m]/50 g): Stone Heather, 7 skeins.

Needles

Size US 5 (3.75 mm): 24” circular needle.

Notions

Stitch markers, removable stitch marker or cable needle, tapestry needle, wires and pins for blocking.

Gauge

20 st x 24 rows = 4 in [10 cm] in St st.

21 sts x 18 rows = 4 in [10 cm] in Pattern st

Tutorials

Lace knitting 101

How to read a knitting chart

What “No-Stitches” mean in a knitting chart

Purl through the back loop (ptbl)

I-cord BO

Kitchener