Knitting Fever Dahlia Shawl Pattern

Knitting Fever Dahlia Shawl

What Is Being Made

The Dahlia Shawl is a triangular lace shawl designed by Zabeth Loisel-Weiner. This beginner-friendly knitting project creates a finished wrap measuring 58 inches (147 centimeters) in width and 26 inches (66 centimeters) in length from the center back. The long straight edge measures approximately 43 inches (109 centimeters) after blocking, making it an elegant accessory suitable for layering or draping.

Techniques Used

The Dahlia Shawl employs fundamental knitting techniques that make it accessible to beginner knitters while creating sophisticated results. The construction begins with a small cast-on of a single stitch, which is then increased using the knit-front-and-back (kfb) method throughout the pattern. This technique creates the triangular shawl shape by adding stitches at the right edge with each 12-row repeat. The pattern uses directional decreases and yarn overs to form the lace design, with stitch markers placed at the beginning of each newly added repeat to help track pattern progression. The shawl is finished with a loose bind-off to maintain the delicate drape of the lace fabric.

Stitches Used

The Dahlia Shawl incorporates several essential knitting stitches to achieve its lace pattern:

• Knit (k) — the fundamental stitch used throughout the pattern
• Purl (p) — worked on all wrong-side rows to create texture
• Yarn over (yo) — creates the decorative openings characteristic of lace patterns
• Knit two together (k2tog) — a right-leaning decrease used to balance yarn overs
• Slip, slip, knit (ssk) — a left-leaning decrease that pairs with yarn overs for the lace motif
• Slip 1, knit 2 together, pass slip stitch over (SK2P) — a centered double decrease that creates focal points in the lace pattern
• Knit into front and back (kfb) — used to increase stitches at the edge of each repeat

The pattern repeats a 12-row sequence 24 times, with each repeat adding 6 stitches at the right edge. The combination of yarn overs and decreases creates the characteristic openwork lace design that defines the shawl's visual appeal.

Materials and Tools

The Dahlia Shawl requires minimal materials, making it an economical project. The pattern calls for one 100-gram ball of KFI Collection Painted Desert in shade 37 Bloodstone, providing sufficient yardage for the entire shawl. Knitting is worked on one US 6/4mm circular needle measuring 40 inches (100 centimeters) in length, or a size adjusted to obtain the correct gauge. Additional supplies needed for completion include stitch markers to track pattern repeats and T-pins with wires for blocking the finished shawl to its final measurements. The recommended gauge is 18 stitches and 28 rows over 4 inches (10 centimeters) when working the lace pattern with the specified needle size.