Stacy Charles Fine Yarns Sumac Shawl/Scarf Knitting Pattern

Sumac Shawl/Scarf by Irina Poludnenko

What Is Being Made

The Sumac Shawl/Scarf is a versatile lace accessory designed to be worn as either a shawl or scarf. This one-size pattern produces a finished piece measuring 17 inches wide by 65 inches long (excluding fringe), making it an elegant wrap suitable for layering or draping. The design features a sophisticated construction that alternates between delicate lace sections and garter stitch bands, creating visual interest and textural variation throughout the garment.

Techniques Used

This pattern employs lace knitting and flat knitting techniques to create an openwork accessory with refined detailing. The shawl is worked flat from cast-on to bind-off, allowing for straightforward construction without the complexity of circular or in-the-round shaping. The lace pattern is strategically incorporated in repeating sections, alternating with garter stitch bands that provide structure and stability to the piece. This combination of techniques creates a balanced design that showcases the delicate nature of lace while maintaining the integrity of the finished garment.

Stitches Used

The Sumac Shawl/Scarf utilizes several fundamental knitting stitches to achieve its elegant appearance:

• Garter Stitch: Created by knitting every stitch on every row, garter stitch forms the foundation bands between lace sections. This stitch provides stability, creates a subtle textured surface, and helps prevent curling at the edges.
• Lace Pattern: The lace pattern is worked over an odd number of stitches and repeats over four rows. It combines yarn overs (yo) to create openwork eyelets with knit-two-together decreases (k2tog) to maintain stitch count. The pattern is offset on alternating rows, creating a flowing, diagonal appearance characteristic of lace knitting.
• Slip Stitch: The first stitch of most rows is slipped rather than knitted, creating clean, finished edges throughout the piece.
• Knit-Two-Together Decrease: This basic decrease stitch is used within the lace pattern to balance the yarn overs and create the openwork design.
• Yarn Over: This stitch creates the decorative eyelets that define the lace pattern and add visual lightness to the accessory.

Materials

The Sumac Shawl/Scarf is designed to be knitted with Stacy Charles Fine Yarns ALICIA, a 100% linen yarn. The pattern requires 4 balls of yarn, with each ball containing 1.75 ounces (50 grams) and providing 180 yards (165 meters) of yardage. Linen is an excellent choice for this project, offering a crisp drape, breathability, and a sophisticated sheen that enhances the delicate lace pattern.

The pattern calls for size 7 (4.5mm) knitting needles to achieve the specified gauges. Knitters should verify gauge before beginning: 13 stitches and 30 rows equal 4 inches in garter stitch, while 13 stitches and 15 rows equal 4 inches in the lace pattern. A size 7 (4.5mm) crochet hook is also required for attaching the fringe during finishing, along with a yarn needle for weaving in ends.

Pattern Construction Overview

The Sumac Shawl/Scarf begins with casting on 65 stitches, followed by a single knit row. The main body is constructed through a repeating sequence: three four-row lace pattern repeats are followed by twelve rows of garter stitch (with slipped edges), and this sequence is repeated twelve additional times until the piece reaches approximately 62½ inches in length. The pattern concludes with three final lace pattern repeats and a bind-off row worked knitwise. This structured approach creates a balanced, rhythmic design that is both visually appealing and straightforward to execute.

Finishing Details

The finished shawl/scarf is blocked to the specified measurements to even out the stitches and enhance the drape of the linen yarn. Fringe is added as a decorative finishing element along both the cast-on and bind-off edges. The fringe is created by cutting 160 lengths of yarn, each measuring 13 inches long, and attaching them using a crochet hook by working into eyelets positioned two rows in from the edges. This fringe application adds movement and elegance to the accessory while utilizing