Louisa Harding Shenandoah Wrap Knitting Pattern

Louisa Harding Shenandoah Knitted Shawl

What Is Being Made

The Shenandoah is a generously sized knitted shawl and wrap designed by Louisa Harding. This top-down, worked-flat design creates a triangular wrap with a finished wingspan of 42½ inches (108 centimeters) and a spine measurement of 17¼ inches (44 centimeters). The shawl features an elegant collar detail worked from the top edge, making it a sophisticated layering piece suitable for various occasions.

Techniques Used

The Shenandoah employs several advanced knitting techniques to achieve its elegant drape and shaping. Top-down construction allows the knitter to begin at the neck and work downward, providing flexibility to customize the final size. Short row shaping is used extensively throughout the pattern to create gradual increases and sculptural shaping without requiring frequent yarn overs across the entire width. This technique involves wrapping stitches and turning the work before completing a full row, then picking up and working these wraps together with their adjacent stitches on subsequent passes. Lace techniques featuring yarn overs create openwork sections that enhance the wrap's ethereal quality and contribute to its drape.

Stitches Used

• Stockinette stitch: Forms the primary fabric base, created by alternating knit rows on the right side with purl rows on the wrong side
• Garter stitch: Used for the collar detail, created by knitting every row to produce a textured, reversible fabric
• Yarn overs (yo): Create decorative eyelets and lace elements while simultaneously increasing stitch count
• Wrap and turn (w&t): The foundation of the short-row shaping technique, allowing the knitter to work partial rows and create shaping without visible gaps
• Slip stitches: Used at row edges for a neat, finished appearance

Materials and Tools

The Shenandoah is knitted with 2 hanks of Louisa Harding Enorme yarn in shade 08 Florence, each hank weighing 200 grams. This substantial yarn weight allows the shawl to drape beautifully while remaining manageable. The pattern calls for one pair of US 15/10mm circular needles measuring 32 inches (81 centimeters) long, which accommodate the increasing stitch count as the shawl expands. Additional notions include one large locking stitch marker to track the center stitch throughout construction and a yarn needle for weaving in ends.

Gauge and Tension

The recommended gauge is 7 stitches and 12 rows to 4 inches (10 centimeters) measured over stockinette stitch. Achieving proper gauge is essential for obtaining the finished measurements and ensuring the shawl drapes as intended. The pattern notes that for best results, the use of LYKKE® needles is recommended, suggesting these needles provide optimal performance with this yarn and pattern combination.