Valley Yarns Surrey Knitting Pattern

Valley Yarns Surrey Knitted Lace Shawl

What Is Being Made

The Valley Yarns Surrey is an autumnal wrap designed to celebrate cool fall weather with seasonal style. This knitted shawl features a stunning falling-leaf motif worked in three coordinating fall tones: Lichen, Sunset, and Red Maple. The finished wrap measures 65 inches wide and 22 inches deep, making it a generous accessory perfect for draping over shoulders on crisp autumn days. The design showcases an elegant color progression that captures the essence of the season.

Craft and Construction Method

The Surrey is a seamless, top-down knitted shawl worked flat on circular needles. Construction begins with a traditional garter tab, which serves as the foundation for picking up stitches. The shawl is then worked side to side with strategic increases near the ends of each row, allowing the piece to grow organically into its final dimensions. This sideways construction method is characteristic of advanced-beginner to intermediate shawl design, offering knitters an engaging project that builds confidence with lace techniques.

Knitting Techniques and Stitches

The Surrey employs several key knitting techniques that define its visual appeal and construction:

• Lace Knitting: The shawl features an Embossed Leaf pattern that creates the signature falling-leaf motif. This lace section is worked using yarn overs and decreases to form openwork designs, adding visual interest and airiness to the wrap.
• Garter Stitch Edging: The first and last 3 stitches of every row are worked in garter stitch, creating a neat, finished edge that frames the piece and prevents curling.
• Stockinette Stitch: The body sections between lace motifs are worked in stockinette stitch, providing a smooth, classic background that allows the leaf pattern to stand out.
• Reverse Stockinette Stitch: Stitches added outside the leaf pattern markers are worked in reverse stockinette, creating subtle textural contrast and definition around the embossed leaf sections.
• Yarn Overs and Increases: The shawl uses yarn overs (yo) for lace increases and M1L/M1R (make one left/right) increases for shaping, building the wrap from 9 stitches to 65 stitches across the body.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The Surrey is designed to be worked in Valley Yarns Peru, a supple blend composed of 84% Baby Alpaca, 8% Merino Wool, and 8% Nylon. This fiber combination provides exceptional warmth and comfort while the nylon adds structural integrity to the finished piece. The yarn is worked at a gauge of 20 stitches and 26 rows over 4 inches in stockinette stitch when blocked.

The color palette requires three colors of Valley Yarns Peru:

• Color A (Lichen): 1 ball (50g/120 yards) for the garter tab and initial foundation
• Color B (Sunset): 2 balls (50g/120 yards each) for the second colored section
• Color C (Red Maple): 4 balls (50g/120 yards each) for the main body and leaf motif sections

Tools and Equipment

The Surrey is worked on US size 9 (5.5 mm) circular needles measuring 40 inches in length. Additional materials needed include stitch markers to denote pattern sections and a tapestry needle for weaving in ends and blocking.

Skill Level and Pattern Difficulty

Rated as an Adventurous Beginner project, the Surrey offers an accessible introduction to lace shawl knitting. While the pattern involves lace techniques and color changes, the straightforward side-to-side construction and clear stitch markers make it manageable for knitters ready to expand their skills beyond basic projects. The embossed leaf pattern provides visual impact without overwhelming complexity, making this an ideal intermediate stepping stone in shawl design.