Plum Lace Shawl Pattern

This lace shawl is elegant, drapey, and perfect for an intermediate knitter — but approachable if you’re confident with yarn overs, decreases, and chart reading.

Finished Size

Wingspan: approx. 60 in. (152 cm)

Depth at center: approx. 28 in. (71 cm)

(Blocking will help open up the lace beautifully.)

Materials

Yarn: Fingering or light fingering weight (Category 1)

Approx. 800–900 yds (for a shawl similar to the photo)

Color: Deep plum

Needles: US 6 (4 mm) circular needle, 32–40 in. cable

Notions: Stitch markers, tapestry needle, blocking pins or wires

Gauge

Not critical, but about 20 sts = 4 in. in lace pattern after blocking is typical.

Techniques Used

Knit, purl

Yarn over (yo)

Knit two together (k2tog)

Slip slip knit (ssk)

Central double decrease (CDD)

Basic lace knitting (worked from top down)

Pattern Instructions

Set-Up:

Cast on 5 stitches.

Knit 1 row.

Next Row:

K2, YO, K1 (center stitch), YO, K2 — (7 sts total).

Place stitch markers: K2 (edge), marker, center stitch, marker, K2 (edge).

Increase Rows:

Every right side row:

K2, YO, knit to center marker, YO, slip marker, K1 (center), slip marker, YO, knit to last 2 sts, YO, K2.

Every wrong side row:

K2, purl to last 2 sts, K2.

Continue these increase rows until you have around 239 stitches (or desired width).

Lace Body Pattern (Leaf Lace): Work lace pattern between the edge stitches and around the center spine:

Right Side (Lace Row):

K2, YO, [ssk, K1, YO, K1, YO, K1, K2tog] repeat to marker, YO, slip marker, K1 (center), YO, [ssk, K1, YO, K1, YO, K1, K2tog] repeat to last 2 sts, YO, K2.

Wrong Side:

K2, purl to last 2 sts, K2.

Repeat these two rows to form the lace leaf pattern. Work for about 15–16 inches from the cast-on edge (or desired depth before the border).

Lace Border (Scalloped Edging):

Row 1 (RS): K2, YO, ssk, K5, k2tog, YO, K1, YO repeat to marker, YO, slip marker, K1, YO, ssk, K5, k2tog, YO, K1, YO repeat to last 2 sts, YO, K2.

Row 2 (WS):

K2, purl to last 2 sts, K2.

Repeat Rows 1–2 for approx. 2–3 inches or until desired border depth. This creates the scalloped edging like in the photo.

Bind Off:

Use a loose stretchy bind off (like Jeny’s Surprisingly Stretchy Bind-Off) so the lace edge can block out beautifully.

Blocking

Soak the shawl gently in lukewarm water, roll it in a towel to remove excess water.

Pin out on blocking mats or a bed using blocking wires or many pins.

Stretch gently to open the lace pattern and form crisp scallops.

Let dry completely before unpinning.

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