La Belle Dame Sans Merci Wrap

Inspired by La Belle Dame Sans Merci by John Keats, Jill Bickers created this sampler stole!

An impossibly beautiful fairy woman, a lovesick knight, hopeless love— how can you get more romantic than that?

La Belle Dame Sans Merci by John Keats inspired this pattern. It also inspired many artists, including John Waterhouse, whose painting included elements I drew on in this pattern.

This shawl blends three lace motifs, separated by rows of eyelets. It is worked in two halves, which are joined together at the back of the neck.

Yarn

Life in the Long Grass Hinterland (75% BFL, 25% Gotland wool; 382 yds [350 m]/100 g): Color Dusk Rose 3 skeins.  See notes.

Needle/Hook

Two sets of Size US 4 (3.75mm) needles, straight or 24″ (60 cm) OR 32” (81 cm) circulars. See Notes.

Or size needed to obtain gauge

Gauge

21.5 sts and 29 rows = 4″ [10cm] in St st after blocking.

Edge Patt: 19.5 sts and 40 rows = 4″ [10cm] after blocking

1 Heart Patt repeat is approximately 5.25” [13.25 cm] wide and 2.75” [7 cm] high after blocking.

1 Leaf Patt repeat is approximately 3.5” [9 cm] wide and 2.25” [5.75 cm] high after blocking.

Size

 91” [231 cm] long and 16” [41 cm] wide. See Notes for suggestions on altering the length of the piece.

Notions

Tapestry needle, stitch markers. Recommended: stitch holders or barber cord.

About the Designer: Jill Bickers

The fact that Jill Bickers is obsessed with knitting is more of a tribute to her stubbornness than anything else. Although her grandmother and her great grandmother were notable knitters, it was not immediately apparent that the knitting gene had been handed down to her knitting.

She felt clumsy and confused, but not to be outdone by a pair of needles and yarn, she kept at it until she “got it.” Having “gotten it,” she put her needles and yarn aside for almost twenty years. The knitting gene reared its head when she picked up her needles once more. She felt like it was coming home and hasn’t looked back.

Though she loves other textile arts, knitting is the one that feels most “right.” She thinks her grandmother and great-grandmother would be pleased.

Jill loves beautiful yarn and has the stash to prove it. She also has a bad habit of starting too many projects and has the project bags to prove that, too. She knits while watching TV, listening to audiobooks, Zooming, in waiting rooms, and in the car (but not when she’s driving).

You can find her designs on Ravelry.