Valley Yarns Bernhardt Shawl Knitting Pattern

Valley Yarns Bernhardt Shawl

What is Being Made

The Bernhardt Shawl is an elegant, rectangular wrap designed by Kirsten Hipsky. This knitted shawl measures 24 inches wide and 60 inches long, making it a versatile accessory suitable for layering or draping. The design features a sophisticated progression from decorative eyelets to classic stockinette stitch, creating visual interest and textural variation along the length of the piece.

Craft and Project Type

This is a knitting project classified as a shawl and wrap. The pattern is available as a downloadable PDF and is designed for beginner-level knitters, making it an accessible introduction to shawl construction and eyelet techniques.

Techniques Used

The Bernhardt Shawl is worked flat on straight needles from one end to the other. The construction progresses through eight distinct sections, each building upon the previous one to create the finished dimensions. Key techniques employed throughout the pattern include:

• Eyelet creation using yarn overs and decreases, which form decorative perforations that gradually fade as the shawl progresses
• Stockinette stitch as the primary fabric base, providing a smooth, classic appearance
• Garter stitch edges maintained with knit stitches on both sides of the work for stability and a finished look
• Yarn held double throughout, which creates a denser fabric and contributes to the shawl's drape and weight

Stitches Used

The pattern utilizes fundamental knitting stitches suitable for beginner crafters:

• Knit stitch (k) — forms the stockinette stitch sections and garter stitch edges
• Purl stitch (p) — creates the reverse stockinette on wrong-side rows within stockinette sections
• Yarn over (yo) — creates the decorative eyelets and lace elements
• Knit two together (k2tog) — a right-leaning decrease paired with yarn overs to form eyelet patterns

Materials

The Bernhardt Shawl pattern calls for specific materials to achieve the intended drape and finished appearance:

• Yarn: 9 skeins of Valley Yarns Southampton in color 21 Peony. This yarn is composed of 72% Kid Mohair and 28% Mulberry Silk, providing a luxurious blend with excellent drape and a subtle sheen. Each skein contains 25 grams and yields 230 yards, for a total yardage of approximately 2,070 yards.
• Needles: US size 10 (6.00mm) straight or circular needles, or the size needed to achieve proper gauge
• Gauge: 4 stitches and 6 rows equal 1 inch in stockinette stitch when yarn is held double

Design Progression

The shawl's eight-section construction creates a gradual visual evolution. The early sections feature frequent eyelet patterns that create effervescent, lacy details. As the work progresses through subsequent sections, the eyelets become more spaced and eventually fade into predominantly stockinette stitch, creating a balanced aesthetic that transitions from decorative to sedate. This structured approach allows knitters to develop confidence with eyelet techniques before moving into simpler stockinette sections.