Classic Elite Yarns Deryn Wrap Knitting Pattern

Classic Elite Yarns Deryn Shawlette

What Is Being Made

The Deryn is a small shawlette designed by Susan Mills, originally published in Birdsong 1502, a printed collection of designs. This elegant wrap is a top-down, seamless lace shawl worked in three coordinating colors with alternating sections of eyelet lace and textured ridged stripes.

Construction and Techniques

The Deryn shawlette employs a distinctive top-down construction method, beginning from the center of the upper edge and working downward. The piece is worked flat in rows using a circular needle to accommodate the increasing stitch count, though the circular needle is used for its capacity rather than for working in the round. The pattern features short row shaping, which creates depth and dimension without requiring wraps at the turning points—any gaps that might occur are naturally concealed within the garter stitch "valleys" that form part of the design.

The shawl begins with a small starting tab worked in garter stitch, from which stitches are picked up and cast on to establish the foundation. This tab is rotated and integrated seamlessly into the body of the shawl. The construction progresses through distinct sections, each introducing new stitch patterns and color changes that build visual interest.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

• Garter stitch: Forms the foundation tab and creates the textured "valleys" throughout the design
• Yarn overs (yo): Create the eyelet lace sections and contribute to the shawl's expansion
• Knit and purl: Used in combination to create ridged stripe sections that alternate with lace
• Short rows: Worked over specific stitch sections to add shaping and dimension
• Marker placement: Strategically positioned to define edge stitches, center stitches, and lace increase sections

The pattern uses a methodical increase pattern, adding four stitches per repeat in the garter triangle foundation section, then continuing increases through the ridged stripe and short row sections. This graduated increase creates the characteristic shawlette silhouette.

Materials

The Deryn is designed to be worked with yarn from Classic Elite Yarns in three colors, referred to as A, B, and C throughout the pattern. The project uses a circular needle, which accommodates the growing stitch count as the shawl expands from the top edge downward. The pattern does not specify yarn weight or yardage requirements in the provided excerpt, but the three-color construction allows for creative color combinations and visual contrast between the garter triangle base, ridged stripe sections, and eyelet lace details.

Design Features

The Deryn combines multiple design elements to create visual complexity and interest. The alternating sections of solid garter stitch, textured ridged stripes with purl details, and delicate eyelet lace create a balanced composition. The short row sections add sculptural shaping that allows the shawlette to drape elegantly. The use of three distinct colors emphasizes the different sections and creates a striped effect that highlights the construction method and stitch pattern changes.