Rowan Mayvala Wrap Knitting Pattern

Rowan Mayvala Shawl by Valerie Lenton

What is Being Made

The Mayvala is a triangular lace shawl designed to be worn around the shoulders. This knitted wrap is worked from a shaped back hem upward in a bottom-up construction method. The finished shawl measures 58 cm (23 inches) long from back neck to shaped hem and 86.5 cm (34 inches) wide, making it a generous accessory suitable for layering over dresses or casual wear.

Techniques Used

This design employs several key knitting techniques to create its elegant drape and visual interest:

• Bottom-up construction: The shawl begins at the shaped back hem and is worked upward toward the neckline, allowing the knitter to try on the garment as it grows.
• Lace knitting: Intricate lace patterning is central to the design, featuring yarn-overs and decreases that create openwork sections. The pattern instructions note that lace can appear shrivelled without proper finishing, and blocking or pressing to correct measurements is essential to open up the lace pattern properly.
• Worked flat: The shawl is constructed on circular needles but worked back and forth in flat rows rather than in the round, allowing for the shaped hem shaping and directional patterning.
• Seamed construction: The pattern involves seaming elements to complete the garment structure.

Stitches Used

The Mayvala pattern incorporates a variety of fundamental and decorative stitches:

• Knit and purl: Basic stitches form the foundation of the fabric.
• Yarn-overs (yfwd): These create the decorative holes and lace openings throughout the design.
• Decreases: The pattern uses multiple decrease techniques including K2tog (knit two together), K3tog (knit three together), and sl 1, K1, psso (slip one, knit one, pass slipped stitch over) to shape the lace and control stitch count as the shawl expands.
• Slip stitches: Slip stitches are used at row beginnings and within the pattern sequences for shaping and visual detail.

Materials

The Mayvala pattern calls for specific materials to achieve the intended drape and delicate appearance:

• Yarn: Rowan Kidsilk Haze in the colorway Grace 580, with a total yardage requirement of 3 balls of 25 grams each. Kidsilk Haze is a lightweight, lofty yarn that creates an airy, ethereal fabric ideal for lace shawls.
• Needles: Two circular needles are required—a 5mm (US 8) circular needle at least 100 cm long for the main fabric, and a 4.5mm (US 7) circular needle at least 150 cm long for finishing or alternative sizing. The longer length accommodates the expanding stitch count as the shawl grows.
• Tension: The pattern is worked to a tension of 18 stitches and 23 rows over 10 cm measured over the lace pattern using the 5mm (US 8) needles. Achieving correct tension is important for the finished dimensions and proper lace definition.
• Additional supplies: Scrap yarn is needed for the provisional cast-on method used to begin the shaped hem.

Pattern Characteristics

The Mayvala features a sophisticated lace pattern with repeating motifs of yarn-overs and decreases that create visual interest and movement. The hem shaping is worked at the beginning, with rows progressively turned to create the shaped edge before expanding into the full lace pattern across all stitches. The alternating knit and purl rows allow the lace motifs to stand out clearly against the background fabric. This design is suitable for intermediate to advanced knitters comfortable with lace techniques and reading complex stitch patterns.