Debbie Bliss Flora Knitting Pattern

Debbie Bliss Flora Knitted Shawl

Project Overview

The Flora is a generously sized knitted shawl measuring 60cm (23½ inches) wide by 198cm (78 inches) long. This intermediate-level knitting project combines luxurious yarns in a sophisticated colorwork design, making it an elegant accessory suitable for various occasions.

What is Being Made

Flora is a rectangular wrap-style shawl designed to drape beautifully across the shoulders. The finished dimensions provide ample coverage for warmth and style, with the extended length allowing for multiple styling options including wrapping, draping, or securing at the front.

Techniques Used

This shawl is worked flat on straight needles and features seamed construction. The pattern incorporates stranded colorwork, a technique where multiple yarn colors are carried across the work to create intricate patterned sections. The pattern instructions reference a detailed chart showing color placement and pattern repeats, requiring careful attention to color changes and yarn management throughout the knitting process.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The primary stitch used in Flora is stocking stitch (stockinette stitch in US terminology), which creates a smooth, classic fabric with a distinctive V-pattern on the right side. The pattern includes a 40-stitch pattern repeat that is worked across the width of the shawl. Garter stitch edges may be incorporated for definition and structure.

Materials Required

• Debbie Bliss Fine Donegal yarn: 300g in Moy (primary color), 100g in Blackberry, 100g in Leaf, and 100g in Teal
• Debbie Bliss Angel yarn: 4 balls in Heather, 4 balls in Aqua, and 2 balls in Silver
• Needles: One pair of 4.50mm (US 7) knitting needles

Yarn and Color Combinations

The Flora pattern uses a sophisticated six-color palette created by combining Fine Donegal and Angel yarns. The color combinations are: Moy/Silver (A), Blackberry/Heather (B), Leaf/Aqua (C), Moy/Aqua (D), Moy/Heather (E), and Teal/Aqua (F). Before beginning, knitters should wind one strand of Fine Donegal together with one strand of Angel into small balls to create the blended colorways specified in the pattern.

Gauge and Tension

The pattern specifies a gauge of 20 stitches and 29 rows to 10cm (4 inches) square measured over stocking stitch using 4.50mm (US 7) needles. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for the finished shawl to meet the intended dimensions and drape properly.

Difficulty Level

Rated as intermediate, the Flora requires solid knitting fundamentals including comfort with stranded colorwork, reading charts, managing multiple yarn colors, and maintaining consistent tension. The pattern involves careful color changes and the coordination of two different yarn weights worked together, making it suitable for knitters with prior experience in colorwork techniques.