Louisa Harding Hailey Wrap Knitting Pattern

Louisa Harding Hailey Knit Shawl

What is Being Made

The Hailey is a triangular knit shawl designed by Jeannie Chin for Louisa Harding. This is a generous wrap-style shawl with finished measurements of approximately 87 inches across the long side and 21 inches in depth, making it a substantial accessory suitable for layering or draping.

Techniques Used

This shawl is constructed using several key knitting techniques that create both visual interest and structural integrity:

• Seamless construction: The shawl is worked in a single piece without seams, using a circular needle to accommodate the increasing stitch count as the garment grows.
• Worked flat: Despite using a circular needle, the shawl is worked flat in rows rather than in the round, allowing the designer to create directional shaping and lace patterning.
• Lace patterning: The design incorporates lace stitches throughout, including yarn overs and decreases that create openwork sections and visual texture. The lace pattern repeats in a structured sequence, with yarn over and knit two together combinations appearing in rows 7 and 15 of the pattern repeat.
• Incremental increases: The shawl grows through strategic increases worked at the edges using the kfb (knit into front and back) technique, which adds one stitch per increase and creates the triangular silhouette.
• Directional decreases: Knit two together decreases are incorporated into the pattern, balancing the increases and contributing to the lace motif.

Stitches Used

The Hailey employs a focused set of fundamental knitting stitches combined in a repeating pattern stitch:

• Knit stitch (k): The primary stitch forming the base structure and selvage edges.
• Purl stitch (p): Used to create textural contrast in alternating rows, particularly in rows 3, 4, 6, and 8 of the pattern repeat, which add depth and visual dimension to the fabric.
• Yarn over (yo): Creates the openwork lace holes characteristic of the design, appearing in rows 7 and 15 to form decorative eyelet details.
• Knit into front and back (kfb): An increase stitch that adds one stitch while creating a subtle texture; used consistently at the edges to expand the shawl's dimensions.
• Knit two together (k2tog): A right-leaning decrease that balances the increases and forms part of the lace pattern.

Pattern Structure

The shawl begins with a small cast-on of 4 stitches and grows through an 8-row pattern repeat that is worked 48 times, resulting in a final stitch count of 207 stitches. The pattern stitch is a multiple of 2 stitches plus 1, plus 2 selvage stitches, ensuring clean edges throughout the construction. The combination of knit and purl rows creates a subtle ribbed texture that complements the lace sections.

Materials

The Hailey is designed to be worked in Louisa Harding Giardino yarn in the colorway 107 Girasole. The project requires 4 balls of 100g each, providing ample yardage for the generous finished dimensions. A US 6/4mm circular needle measuring 29 inches in length is recommended to accommodate the growing stitch count while working flat. The circular needle format allows the knitter to comfortably manage the 207 stitches at the widest point of the shawl without strain.

Gauge and Finishing

The pattern is worked at a gauge of 21 stitches and 34 rows over 4 inches in stockinette stitch using US 6/4mm needles. Checking gauge before beginning is essential to ensure the finished shawl meets the specified dimensions. After binding off knitwise, the long edge of the completed shawl is lightly blocked to even out the stitches and enhance the drape of the lace patterning.