Its name comes from the Old Norse for sand, and so it seemed an appropriate name for a whispy little number comprised of Shetland lace stitch patterns.
Knitted in the round from a provisional cast on, the central portion is a combination of stitch patterns that all have rest rows on the “WS” so that although it looks complicated it is actually isn’t.
Both edges are then finished with a knitted on edging.
The cowl is designed to be a generous circumference so that it can be draped around the neck, or if the unpredictable spring weather strikes it can be pulled down over the shoulders to add extra warmth.
Size
Finished size: 42” (107cm) circumference 18” (46cm) height
Yarn
Rowan fine Lace (80% Alpaca, 20% merino; 437 yards [400 meters]/50 grams): Color Number 941 Color Name Blush (MC), 1 ball.
Needles
Size US#4 (3.25 mm): 24” circular
Notions
Waste yarn in a similar weight to the yarn used in the pattern. Removable stitch markers crochet hook US D (3.25m)
Gauge
20 sts and 32 rows = 4” [10 cm] in the central stitch pattern after wet blocking.
Pattern Notes
This pattern is worked in the round starting with a provisional cast on.
Both the top and bottom edges of the pattern are finished with a knitted on border.
Pattern
Pattern Piece
Using US#4 (3.25mm) circular needle, a size D (3.25mm) crochet hook and waste yarn, use a provisional cast on method to CO 180 sts. Join in the rnd, be careful not to twist the work and place a stitch marker to mark the beg of the rnd.
Change to the MC yarn and work 2 rows in garter st.
Remember that as you are working in the round that garter stitch is actually alternate rows of knit and purl sts so all the rest rows will actually be purled.
Using the written or charted instructions work 18 reps of st patt around the circumference of the cowl.
Work rnds 1 – 28 five times until the work meas approx. 10” unstretched ending with a rnd 28. Knit 1 round, do not break yarn.
Top border
CO 10 sts to the left hand needle. You’ll be working a knitted-on border and will knit together one stitch from the border with one stitch from the body on each WS row. Using either the written instructions or the chart work the border pattern. You’ll start with Row 1 (WS). Cont working around the top of the cowl until all the sts from the body have been incorporated. BO all rem sts.
Bottom border
Carefully unzip the provisional cast on and place all the unzipped stitches on the circular needle as you do so. Complete the bottom border in the same way as the top one.
Finishing
Wet block the cowl to the dimensions given in the schematic. Pin out the points on the borders to accentuate the pattern. When dry unpin and weave in any ends.
Written instructions (in the round):
Body
Rnd 1: Yo, cdd, yo, k2, k2tog, yo, k3.
Rnd 2 and all even-numbered rnds: Purl.
Rnd 3: K5, yo, cdd, yo, k2.
Rnd 5: K4, yo, ssk, p1, k2tog, yo, k1.
Rnd 7: K3, yo, ssk, yo, cdd, yo, k2tog, yo.
Rnd 9: Yo, k1, (yo, ssk) 2 times, p1, k2tog, yo, k2tog.
Rnd 11: K3, yo, ssk, yo, cdd, yo, k2tog, yo.
Rnd 13: K4, yo, ssk, p, k2tog, yo, k1.
Rnd 15: K5, yo, cdd, yo, k2.
Rnd 17: K3, k2tog, yo, k3, yo, ssk.
Rnd 19: Ssk, k1, k2tog, yo, k5, yo.
Rnd 21: Yo, cdd, yo, k7.
Rnd 23: K3, yo, ssk, k3, k2tog, yo.
Rnd 25: K4, yo, ssk, k1, k2tog, yo, k1.
Rnd 27: K5, yo, cdd, yo, k2
Rnd 28: Purl
Border
Updated April 23, 2016
Row 1 (WS): K9, k2tog (1 st from border with 1 st from main body of cowl). Turn.
Row 2 (RS): Sl st, k3, (k2tog, yo) 2 times, k1, yo, k1. (11 sts)
Row 3: K10, k2tog 1 st from border with 1 st from main body of cowl. Turn.
Row 4: Sl st, k2, (k2tog, yo) 2 times, k3, yo, k1. (12 sts)
Row 5: K11, k2tog 1 st from border with 1 st from main body of cowl. Turn.
Row 6: Sl st, k1, (k2tog, yo) 2 times, k3, yo, k1. (13 sts)
Row 7: K10, k2tog 1 st from border with 1 st from main body of cowl. Turn.
Row 8: Sl st, k3, (yo, ssk) 2 times, k1, k2tog, yo, k2tog. (12 sts)
Row 9: K11, k2tog 1 st from border with 1 st from main body of cowl. Turn.
Row 10: Sl st, k4, yo, ssk, yo, cdd, yo, k2tog. (11 sts)
Row 11: K10, k2tog 1 st from border with 1 st from main body of cowl. Turn.
Row 12: Sl st, k5, yo, ssk, k1, k2tog (10 sts)
Body Chart
Edge Chart – updated April 19, 2016
About the Designer – Janine Le Cras
I learned to knit at my grandmother knee at the ages of about 7 and knitted right through school and up until my children got to an age where they refused to wear hand knits. I started knitting again seriously, about 8 years ago after a hiatus of about 10 years. Then I discovered the online knitting community. Knitting on a small island in the middle of the English Channel can be rather lonely.
Thanks to the Internet I have rediscovered my knitting mojo, learned to spin, acquired a stash ( both yarn and fibre) bought a wheel and started designing in earnest – not necessarily in that order.
Since then I have been fortunate enough to have designs accepted by several publishers.
I have designed for Magknits, Knotions, and Yarn Forward and have had patterns published in several books including Knitting in the Sun, The Joy of Sox, and Sock Club.
I enjoy a wonderful working relationship with the Girls at the Unique Sheep and have designed several things showcasing their yarns including our ongoing series of lace shawls Mystery KALs inspired by classic children’s books. So far we have done The Secret Garden and The Enchanted Wood , Moonfleet, Through the Looking Glass, Phoenix and the Carpet, Jungle Book, The Little Prince, The Little Mermaid, Treasure Island, Watership Down, Peter Pan, Wind in the Willows, Oliver Twist, The Snow Queen, Once and Future King and A Wrinkle in Time, next up Heidi!
Taraxacum Mitts by Abigail Ryan
Another great design by you, thankyou. I will be casting this on and probably making a few extra for Christmas presents.
This is lovely and the main body has knitted up beautifully in my handspan singles. However I’m a bit stuck beginning the border. Having cast on the 9 stitches onto the left hand needle the working yarn is at the outer edge of what will be the lace border. The first row of the border pattern, if read from right to left, ends up at the body of the shawl. Also it has eleven stitches, not nine (as cast on).
What am I doing wrong??
I am knitting Alder Leaf scarf that was designed by you. the recommended cast on is 54 sts, but the pattern was OFF. I am happy to see your other design. may I take the chance to ask you about how many stitches I should cast on for Alder Leaf scarf. Thanks.
Hi Mei – thanks for your comment! Comments don’t go to the designers so I’m forwarding this to Janine. Since Alder Leaf wasn’t in knotions I unfortunately can’t answer your question.
Thanks a lot
Hi,
I have just been back and checked the pattern. 54 sts is correct. The lace chart is 48 sts and then there is the 6 sts for the two garter st borders.
So you knit 3 sts, the chart, then a further 3 sts.
Does that make sense?
If you have any more queries, please contact me directly either on Ravelry or my email, as this pattern doesn’t really have anything to do with Knotions as it was published by a different company 🙂