SweetGeorgia Rivoli Shawl Wrap Knitting Pattern

SweetGeorgia Rivoli Shawl: Crescent Shawl with Lace and Beads

What is Being Made

The Rivoli Shawl is an elegant crescent-shaped wrap designed by Anniken Allis. This intermediate-level knitting project creates a luxurious accessory featuring a distinctive crescent silhouette that combines decorative lace patterning with optional beadwork. The finished shawl measures 32 inches along the inner crescent edge and expands to 79 inches along the outer crescent, with a depth of 22.5 inches, making it a substantial and versatile wrap suitable for layering or draping.

Techniques Used

The Rivoli Shawl employs several advanced knitting techniques to achieve its distinctive shape and aesthetic. The crescent form is created through a strategic combination of short rows and decreases, allowing the shawl to curve elegantly while maintaining structural integrity. The design features a mirrored stitch pattern on either side of a centre line, creating balanced visual symmetry throughout the piece. Beadwork is incorporated using a size 14 crochet hook to add beads during knitting, though this embellishment is entirely optional for those preferring a simpler aesthetic.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

This project centers on a lace stitch pattern that forms the primary visual interest of the shawl. The lace pattern is worked using fundamental knitting stitches including knit, purl, yarn overs for creating openwork, and various decrease methods. Key stitches employed include knit 2 stitches together (k2tog), purl 2 stitches together (p2tog), slip, slip, knit (ssk), and pass slipped stitch over (psso) decreases. The pattern incorporates yarn overs (yo) to create the characteristic lace openings. Beads are added using the add bead and knit (B) technique, allowing for optional embellishment without disrupting the stitch structure.

Materials and Gauge

The Rivoli Shawl requires one skein of SweetGeorgia Yarns Merino Silk in the colorway Ultraviolet, providing 765 yards (700 meters) per 3.5 ounce (100 gram) skein. This yarn blend combines 50% Merino Wool with 50% Cultivated Silk, offering both warmth and luxurious drape. Knitting is worked on Size 4 US (3.5 mm) circular needles measuring 32 inches (80 centimeters) in length, with needle size adjustable to achieve correct gauge. The recommended gauge is 16 stitches and 23 rows over 4 inches (10 centimeters) in the lace pattern after blocking. While exact tension is not critical, variations in gauge will affect both the finished dimensions and yardage requirements. For beadwork, approximately 1,250 size 8/0 seed beads and a size 14 crochet hook (0.50 mm) are needed if the optional beading is desired.