Sesia Lily Shawl Wrap Knitting Pattern

Sesia Lily Shawl

What is Being Made

The Sesia Lily Shawl is an elegant, lightweight wrap designed by Teresa Chorzepa. This seamless shawl measures approximately 22 inches wide by 70 inches long, making it an ideal accessory for layering or draping. The design combines luxurious fibers with delicate lace work, creating a sophisticated piece suitable for various occasions.

Knitting Techniques

This shawl employs several key knitting techniques that work together to create its distinctive appearance:

• Bottom-Up Construction: The shawl is worked from the cast-on edge upward, with the number of stitches cast on determining the final length of the piece.
• Lace Work: Intricate lace patterning is achieved through yarn overs and decreases, creating openwork sections that contribute to the shawl's delicate, airy quality.
• Seamless, Flat Construction: The shawl is worked flat in rows rather than in the round, eliminating the need for seaming while maintaining a clean, finished appearance.
• Striped Design: Two distinct stripe sequences are incorporated throughout the pattern, alternating between different yarn colors and pattern repeats to add visual interest and depth.

Stitches Used

The Sesia Lily Shawl utilizes fundamental knitting stitches combined in a structured lace pattern:

• Knit Stitch: Forms the foundation of the pattern and appears in multiple sections throughout the shawl.
• Purl Stitch: Used in specific rows and within the lace pattern to create texture and definition.
• Yarn Over (YO): Creates the openwork characteristic of lace knitting, producing decorative eyelets and increases within the pattern.
• Purl 2 Together (P2tog): A decrease stitch that reduces stitch count while contributing to the lace pattern's structure. This stitch is worked through the front loops and appears multiple times within each pattern repeat.

The primary lace pattern repeats over a multiple of 19 stitches plus 2 edge stitches, with a 4-row repeat that combines knit rows, purl rows, and complex lace rows featuring multiple decreases and yarn overs.

Materials and Yarn

The Sesia Lily Shawl pattern calls for two premium yarn types that work in combination:

• Sesia Pigalle (Yarn A): A luxurious blend of 71% super kid mohair, 20% silk, and 9% lurex. This yarn is used for the majority of the shawl and provides softness and subtle sparkle. Three balls are required, with each ball containing 0.88 ounces (25 grams) and 232 yards (212 meters). The specified color is #0067 onyx, a deep black shade.
• Stacy Charles Fine Yarns CRYSTAL (Yarn B): A lightweight yarn composed of 85% polyester and 15% cotton. Two balls are needed, with each ball weighing 0.88 ounces (25 grams) and providing 144 yards (131 meters). The pattern specifies color #8067 graphite, a neutral gray tone that complements the onyx primary color.

Needles and Gauge

The pattern requires one size 7 (4.5 mm) circular needle measuring 40 inches (100 cm) in length, or a size that achieves the correct gauge. The recommended gauge is 20 stitches and 24 rows over 4 inches (10 centimeters) when working the lace pattern. Achieving proper gauge is essential for obtaining the correct finished dimensions. A yarn needle is also needed for weaving in ends after completion.

Pattern Structure and Finishing

The shawl begins with casting on 344 stitches, which determines its length. The pattern progresses through multiple stripe sequences: Stripe Sequence 1 (12 rows of lace pattern in yarn A followed by 4 rows in yarn B) is repeated five times for a total of 80 rows, followed by Stripe Sequence 2 (4 rows in yarn A and 4 rows in yarn B) repeated four times for 32 additional rows. The pattern concludes with final rows in yarn A and a bind-off. After completion, ends are woven in and the shawl is lightly blocked if necessary to enhance its drape and definition.