Valley Yarns Ekanite Knitting Pattern

Valley Yarns Ekanite Shawl

What Is Being Made

The Ekanite is a sophisticated triangular shawl and wrap designed by Julie Turjoman. This one-size garment measures approximately 29 inches wide by 72 inches long at its widest edge, making it an ideal accessory for layering on cool spring and autumn evenings. The shawl is constructed using just two skeins of yarn, offering an efficient project that delivers impressive finished dimensions and visual impact.

Construction Method and Techniques

The Ekanite is worked bottom-up and seamless, meaning the shawl is created as a single continuous piece without requiring seaming. The garment is worked flat on circular needles, which accommodate the increasing stitch count as the shawl expands from its starting edge to its full width. The design incorporates lace as a primary decorative element, featuring a prominent deep diamond lace border along the widest side with additional lace stripes interspersed throughout the body of the piece. These lace sections alternate with garter stitch stripes, creating visual rhythm and textural contrast.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The Ekanite employs multiple stitch patterns to achieve its finished aesthetic. The primary stitch patterns include:

• Diamond Lace Stitch Pattern: This decorative pattern features yarn overs and centered double decreases (s2kp) that create the characteristic diamond motifs. The diamond lace section is worked at a gauge of 20 stitches and 26 rows over 4 inches when blocked.
• Textured Stripe Stitch Pattern: This section combines knit and purl stitches to create texture and is worked at a gauge of 22 stitches and 26 rows over 4 inches when blocked.
• Garter Stitch Stripes: Garter stitch (knitting every row) provides solid sections that frame and separate the lace elements, offering visual breaks and structural stability.
• Reverse Stockinette Section: This stitch pattern appears in specific rows and incorporates decreases and yarn overs to shape the shawl.

The pattern uses standard knitting abbreviations and techniques including yarn overs (yo), single decreases (ssk, k2tog), and centered double decreases (s2kp, k3tog, p3tog). Swatching both the diamond lace and textured stripe patterns is recommended to ensure proper gauge before beginning the project.

Materials

The Ekanite is designed to be worked with Valley Yarns Charlemont, a luxury fingering-weight yarn composed of 60% Fine Superwash Merino Wool, 20% Silk, and 20% Polyamide. Two skeins, each weighing 100 grams and containing 439 yards, provide sufficient yardage to complete the shawl. The sample shown is worked in the Dark Olive colorway. Needles required include a US 6 (4mm) circular needle measuring 32 to 40 inches in length, or the size needed to achieve the specified gauge. A tapestry needle is used for weaving in ends and finishing.

Difficulty Level

This pattern is rated as intermediate difficulty, making it suitable for knitters with foundational skills who are ready to work with lace patterns and manage shaping techniques. The combination of multiple stitch patterns and the need to maintain gauge across different sections requires attention to detail and some experience with lace knitting.