Lux Shawl Wrap Knitting Pattern

Lux Shawl in Rowan Kid Classic

What Is Being Made

The Lux Shawl is a shoulder wrap knitting project designed by Martin Storey for Rowan. This intermediate-level shawl measures 48 centimeters in width and 210 centimeters in length, making it a generous wrap suitable for draping across the shoulders. The finished dimensions create an elegant, elongated silhouette ideal for layering over various garments.

Techniques Used

This knitting project employs several intermediate techniques that add visual interest and texture to the finished piece. The primary construction begins with garter stitch, a fundamental technique created by knitting every row, which produces a reversible, textured fabric with horizontal ridges. The shawl incorporates cable crossings as a central design element, requiring the use of a cable needle to create twisted stitch patterns. Specific cable techniques include Z6H (slipping three stitches to a cable needle and holding them to the back before knitting) and Z6V (slipping three stitches to a cable needle and holding them to the front before knitting), which create distinctive twisted effects. The pattern also features yarn overs to add openwork elements and visual lightness to the design. Additionally, the instructions reference stranded colorwork techniques, with guidance on weaving floats (carried yarn) under and over the working color to maintain even tension and neat finishing on the reverse side.

Stitches Used

• Knit stitch – the foundation stitch used throughout the project
• Purl stitch – used in reverse rows and pattern sections
• Yarn overs – creates decorative openings and lace-like elements
• Knit two together – a right-leaning decrease used for shaping
• Cable crosses (Z6H and Z6V) – specialized stitches that twist groups of three stitches to create dimensional cable patterns
• Bind-off – used to secure stitches at the completion of the project

Materials and Tools

This project uses Rowan Kid Classic yarn in a 50-gram ball weight. The pattern is photographed in the colorway Canard 871, with an alternative color option in Sapphire 920 also available. Knitting needles in size 4 and size 5 are required, along with one cable needle for executing the cable crossing techniques. The recommended gauge is 20 stitches and 25 rows measured over a 10-by-10-centimeter swatch when worked in pattern using size 5 needles. Achieving proper gauge is essential, as even small variations will affect both the finished dimensions and overall appearance of the completed shawl.

Pattern Construction Details

The shawl begins with 96 cast-on stitches worked on size 4 needles in garter stitch for 98 rows, ending with a wrong-side row. The work then transitions to size 5 needles where the main pattern begins. Row 9 (a right-side row) is worked entirely in knit stitches. The pattern features a 32-stitch repeat that is worked twice per row, with 44 rows total repeated 11 times throughout the project. After the initial pattern repeats, rows 1 through 22 of the pattern are worked one additional time before finishing. The final rows are worked on size 4 needles, with all stitches bound off knitwise on a wrong-side row. Finishing includes steaming or blocking the completed shawl to enhance drape and set the stitch definition.