Stacy Charles Fine Yarns Chatsworth Lace Shawl Knitting

Stacy Charles Fine Yarns Chatsworth Lace Shawl

Project Overview

The Chatsworth Lace Shawl is a sophisticated knitted wrap designed by Irina Poludnenko. This seamless, bottom-up shawl measures 68 inches wide at its widest point by 13¾ inches long at its longest point, making it an elegant accessory suitable for layering or draping. The pattern is worked flat on straight needles and features an intricate lace construction combining a decorative center section with coordinating wing sections.

Construction Techniques

The Chatsworth Lace Shawl employs a bottom-up, seamless construction method worked flat. The shawl begins with a center lace section, from which wings are picked up and worked outward. This approach allows for strategic shaping and creates a balanced, symmetrical design. The wings are shaped through strategic bind-offs that decrease stitches at regular intervals, creating the shawl's distinctive silhouette. The pattern uses both right-side and wrong-side bind-off rows to achieve precise shaping on both edges of the wing sections.

Stitch Techniques and Pattern Details

The Chatsworth Lace Shawl features two primary lace patterns that work together to create visual interest and texture:

• Center Lace Pattern: A multiple of 8 stitches plus 3, this pattern forms the foundation of the shawl. It incorporates yarn overs for openwork and double decreases (sssk—slip, slip, slip, knit) to create balanced lace motifs. The center section is worked using the fine merino and metallic blend yarn.
• Wing Lace Pattern: Worked over Rows 1–8 and repeated with variations, this pattern is applied to both the right and left wings. The wing pattern uses similar lace principles with yarn overs and decreases, but is worked at a slightly different gauge than the center section, creating visual distinction between the sections.

Key decrease techniques used throughout include k2tog (knit 2 together), ssk (slip, slip, knit), and sssk (slip, slip, slip, knit). These decreases are paired with yarn overs to maintain stitch counts while creating the openwork lace aesthetic. The pattern requires careful attention to gauge as the center section and wing sections are worked at different gauges: 17 stitches and 20 rows equal 4 inches in the center lace pattern, while 19 stitches and 22 rows equal 4 inches in the wing lace pattern.

Yarn and Materials

The Chatsworth Lace Shawl uses two complementary yarns from the Stacy Charles Fine Yarns collection:

• Stacy Charles Fine Yarns S LINE LUCCICA (Yarn A): Composed of 97% extrafine merino wool and 3% metallic polyester, this yarn provides the primary structure and drape of the shawl. Three balls are required, with each ball weighing 1.75 ounces (50 grams) and providing 130 yards (120 meters). The color used is #463 stone grey, a neutral tone that allows the lace pattern to take visual prominence.
• Stacy Charles Fine Yarns CRYSTAL (Yarn B): This accent yarn is 85% polyester and 15% cotton, offering a different fiber content and sheen. One ball is used for the center lace pattern's first row, weighing 0.88 ounces (25 grams) with 144 yards (131 meters) of yardage. The color #03 silver mist provides subtle sparkle and contrast against the stone grey base.

The pattern calls for one pair of size 8 (5mm) needles or the size needed to obtain the specified gauges. A yarn needle is required for weaving in ends upon completion.

Finished Dimensions

The completed Chatsworth Lace Shawl is one size, measuring 68 inches (172.5 centimeters) wide at its widest point and 13¾ inches (35 centimeters) long at its longest point. These generous dimensions make it suitable for wearing as a shoulder wrap, shawlette, or decorative accessory.