Valley Yarns Falling Leaves Shawl Knitting Pattern

Valley Yarns Falling Leaves Shawl

Project Overview

The Falling Leaves Shawl, designed by Katy Wight, is a knitted lace wrap that captures the essence of autumn foliage. This seamless, flat-worked shawl features a biasing lace stitch pattern that creates an open, airy fabric reminiscent of a canopy of changing leaves. The design is versatile enough to work beautifully in multiple yarn options, originally created in Valley Yarns Stockbridge but equally stunning when knit in Hand-Dyed Valley Yarns Charlemont.

Finished Measurements

• Two size options available: 8" x 70" (smaller size) or 18" x 70" (larger size)
• Dimensions create a generous wrap suitable for layering or draping

Yarn Options

This pattern accommodates two distinct yarn choices, each offering unique characteristics:

• Valley Yarns Charlemont Hand Dyed (recommended for color impact): 1 skein for smaller size, 2 skeins for larger size. Composition: 60% Fine Superwash Merino, 20% Mulberry Silk, 20% Polyamide. Weight: 100g per skein with 439 yards of yardage. Available in Fall Festival colorway.
• Valley Yarns Stockbridge (original design yarn): 3 skeins for smaller size, 7 skeins for larger size. Composition: 50% Superfine Alpaca, 50% Wool. Weight: 50g per skein with 109 yards of yardage. Available in Stone Blue colorway.

Needles and Gauge

• US size 7 (4.50mm) needles, or size needed to obtain proper gauge
• Gauge: approximately 5 stitches equals 1 inch in stitch pattern before blocking

Knitting Techniques

The Falling Leaves Shawl employs several fundamental knitting techniques suitable for beginner-level crafters:

• Lace Knitting: The pattern uses a biasing lace stitch that combines yarn overs and decreases to create an open, decorative fabric. The lace pattern is achieved through strategic placement of yarn overs (yo) and double decreases (k2tog), which create the characteristic leaf-like motifs.
• Seamless Construction: The shawl is worked in one continuous piece without seaming, simplifying the finishing process.
• Flat Working: Rather than working in the round, this shawl is knitted flat with right-side and wrong-side rows, making it accessible for knitters new to lace techniques.
• Stitch Pattern Repeats: The design uses an 8-row repeat that is worked continuously until the shawl reaches the desired length. Stitch markers placed before each pattern repeat help maintain accuracy throughout the project.

Stitch Details

The core stitches used in the Falling Leaves Shawl include:

• Knit (k): Basic knit stitch forming the foundation of the pattern
• Purl (p): Used on all wrong-side rows to create a smooth base between pattern rows
• Yarn Over (yo): Creates the open holes characteristic of lace, increasing stitch count and adding visual interest
• Knit Two Together (k2tog): A right-leaning decrease that balances the yarn overs and maintains stitch count
• Double Decrease (k2tog, k2tog): Two consecutive decreases that create the biasing effect and help shape the falling leaf motifs

Pattern Structure

The shawl begins with casting on either 37 stitches (smaller size) or 91 stitches (larger size), followed by one purl row. The 8-row repeat pattern then continues as follows:

• Row 1 (Right Side): K1, then repeat the sequence of yarn over, knit 1, yarn over, knit 2, knit two together, knit two together, knit 2 across
• Row 2 and all Wrong Side rows: Purl all stitches
• Row