Affinity Lace Shawl
Inspired by the romantic Edwardian era fashion, Affinity is a long, deep crescent-shape shawl with ends that curve up. It is elegant and feminine without being over-the-top frilly. Affinity can be knitted with one yarn – from smooth yarn such as pure silk, silk blend, pure wool, and wool blend – to fuzzy yarn that contains mohair, or two yarns with distinct textural differences, smooth versus fuzzy, of the same or very similar colorway. It is worked from the top down with increases at the edges as well as throughout the body. It uses approximately 600-675y / 550-620m of fingering-weight yarns if using one yarn OR 330-375y / 300-345m of the smooth and 270-300y / 250-275m the fuzzy yarn if using two. It may also be knitted in heavy-lace-weight yarn for a more open fabric or sport-weight yarn for a warm and cozy result.
Affinity may be knitted without beads, with one-color beads, or with two different color beads of similar value.
This pdf version of Affinity is for viewing on your computer. You may also print one (1) copy for your personal use. Please make sure you have high-speed internet connection.
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Purchase the pattern here on Ravelry (you do not need to be a member):
US$6.50
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Skill Level
Medium. Charts only. Pattern does not include row-by-row written instruction. Includes interesting Japanese stitches.
Yarns
Heavy lace (no lighter than 760 y / 695 m per 100 g), fingering, and sport weight yarns are all suitable as well as a set of two yarns of the same or very similar colorway – in solid, semi solid, or subtle variegated – with distinct textural differences (one smooth with high silk content and one fuzzy with mohair content). Finished dimensions may be adjusted by using different yarn weight and needle size to achieve varying gauges. Sample used 310 y/285 m of fingering-weight pure-silk and 262 y / 240 m of mohair-silk yarn. Gauge isn’t important for fit in shawls but if you are a loose knitter, make sure you have extra yarn.
To best showcase the various stitch patterns of Affinity, self-striping or variegated yarn with vast tonal differences is NOT recommended.
Gauge
Gauge isn’t important but will determine the final size of the shawl. Sample swatch with fingering-weight fuzzy mohair yarn using Size US5 / 3.75mm is approximately 18 stitches and 28 rows to 4" / 10.0c m square after fairly aggressive blocking.
Tools
Circular needles in size US4 / 3.5mm, US5 / 3.75mm, and US8 / 5.0mm (if using the I-cord bind off method) depending on your gauge, cable needle, stitch markers, blunt tapestry needle, crochet hook or other tool if you are adding beads, T-pins, and blocking wire(s) and mat (optional).
Beads
Size 6 or 8 rounds for heavy lace weight (500-600m/100g), size 6 rounds or size 5 triangles for fingering weight (400m/100g). Bead all or just some of these charts, using one color throughout or two different colors (I recommend two different colors of similar value).
Using one color
Section A – 2
Section B – 41
Section C – 41
Section D – 72
Section E – 68
Section H – 2
Section I – 18
Section J – 228
Section K – 208
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Total – 680 beads
Using two different colors – MC / CC
Section A – 2 / 0
Section B – 41 / 0
Section C – 13 / 28
Section D – 0 / 72
Section E – 34 / 34
Section H – 0 / 2
Section I – 18 / 0
Section J – 67 / 161
Section K – 208 / 0
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Total – 383 / 297 beads
Glenys | fingering weight
Tish | fingering weight
Alyssa | lace weight
Fiona | fingering weight
Hayley | fingering weight
