Valley Yarns Larkspur Knitting Pattern

Valley Yarns Larkspur Knitted Shawlette

What Is Being Made

The Valley Yarns Larkspur is a colorful, petite wedge shawlette designed by Julie Turjoman. This lightweight shoulder wrap measures approximately 40 inches wide by 19 inches deep when finished. Despite its seemingly weightless construction, the shawlette provides cozy warmth on cool evenings, making it an ideal transitional accessory for layering.

Yarn and Materials

This beginner-friendly project uses Valley Yarns Montague, a 100% organic cotton yarn that combines springy softness with a beautiful color palette. The pattern requires three skeins total, each weighing 50 grams with 110 yards of yardage:

• Main Color (MC): 1 skein in Color 02 Natural
• Contrast Color 1 (CC1): 1 skein in Color 14 Charcoal
• Contrast Color 2 (CC2): 1 skein in Color 08 Iris

Knitting needles required include a US 7 (4.5mm) circular needle in 32 to 40 inches length, or the size needed to achieve proper gauge. Additional materials include a tapestry needle for finishing and stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats.

Gauge and Finished Dimensions

The pattern is worked to a gauge of 18 stitches and 20 rows over 4 inches (10 centimeters) in stockinette stitch when blocked using a US 7 (4.5mm) needle. Achieving proper gauge ensures the finished shawlette reaches its intended measurements of approximately 40 inches wide by 19 inches deep.

Knitting Techniques

The Larkspur employs several key knitting techniques suitable for beginners:

• Top-Down Construction: The shawl is worked back and forth from the center point, allowing knitters to try on the piece as it grows and adjust the final size if desired.
• Seamless Shaping: The wedge shawlette is created without seams, using increases worked at regular intervals to expand the triangular shape.
• Lace Elements: Yarn overs create an open, airy texture throughout the pattern, contributing to the lightweight feel of the finished garment.
• Striped Color Work: The pattern incorporates strategic color changes between the main color and two contrast colors, creating visual interest while remaining accessible to beginner knitters.

Stitches and Pattern Details

The Larkspur uses fundamental knitting stitches and techniques. Stockinette stitch forms the base fabric, created by alternating knit rows on the right side with purl rows on the wrong side. Yarn overs are used to create lace increases that add both stitch count and decorative openwork. The pattern includes standard decreases such as knit 2 together (K2tog) for shaping. Stitch markers help track the center line and pattern repeats as the shawlette expands.

The pattern establishes a repeating sequence where knitters switch between the main color and contrast colors at specified intervals, working 4 to 8 rows in each color before transitioning. This color-blocking approach creates horizontal stripes while the increases ensure the wedge shape grows proportionally with each color section.

Skill Level

Designated as a beginner project, the Larkspur is accessible to knitters new to shawlette construction. The straightforward stitch patterns, simple color changes, and top-down approach make this an ideal introduction to wedge shawl shaping and lace knitting fundamentals.