Some knits arrive at just the right moment. Indira was one of them.

This design took shape with intention—a balance of seemingly intricate cables, airy lace, and the plush comfort of fisherman’s rib. It was a pattern created with beauty in mind, something to be enjoyed, something to be shared. But just after the final stitches were cast off, life shifted in an unexpected way. A season of loss and grief settled in, and suddenly, without realizing it, I had made something I needed—a warm hug in shawl form.

There was comfort in its stitches, a quiet reassurance in the way it draped over my shoulders. Indira was never just a design—it was a reminder that even in difficult times, there is still warmth, still beauty, still something to wrap around yourself and hold onto. And that’s why I’m sharing it with you.

What Makes Indira Special?

✨ A Pattern That Grew With Me: Indira begins small—just a few stitches, a gentle start—before expanding, growing into something generous and enveloping. The process mirrors the way we move through life’s challenges: one step, one row at a time, until suddenly we realize how far we’ve come.

✨ Cables Like Interwoven Stories: The double-braided cable running through the shawl is more than decoration. It’s a symbol of connection—the past and the present, the difficult and the beautiful, all bound together in something strong and whole.

✨ Lace That Lets in the Light: The simple allover lace creates breathability, little pockets where light and air slip through. Even in a fabric meant to wrap and comfort, there is openness—because warmth isn’t about closing ourselves off but allowing space for softness, for beauty, for what comes next.

✨ A Ribbing That Feels Like Home: The shawl ends with a section of fisherman’s rib, a texture that’s plush, deep, and soothing under the fingers. It’s like brioche, but simpler, more intuitive—something that welcomes you in and holds you close.

✨ A Finishing Touch That Feels Just Right: Short-row shaping creates a tapered edge, a gentle sloping finish that feels like an intentional ending. Not abrupt, not unfinished—just right.

Skill Level: Intermediate. A pattern for those who love the rhythm of cables, the meditative quality of lace, the joy of seeing something take shape under their hands. Not a beginner’s first knit, but a deeply rewarding one for those ready to let the process unfold.

What’s Included?

✔ Instant Downloadable PDF – so you can begin the moment inspiration strikes.
✔ Detailed, Step-by-Step Instructions – guiding you like a steady hand.
✔ Clear Charted & Written Instructions – because different minds work in different ways.
✔ Tips for Modifying the Size – for those who want to make it truly their own.

Why Knit Indira?

Because knitting is never just about the finished piece. It’s about what happens in the making. It’s about discovering that the thing you create might, in turn, be the very thing you need.

If you’re looking for a project that brings warmth not just in the wearing, but in the making, Indira is for you.

Start today, and let this shawl become whatever you need it to be.

Pattern Details:

Sizes
One Size

Finished Measurements
Approximately 85” (216 cm) wide and 20” (51 cm) deep

Shawl size is easily modified, as noted in the pattern.

Yarn
Approximately 920 yards (841 meters) of each a smooth, plied fingering weight yarn and a lace weight mohair blend.

Shawl pictured used 2 skeins each of the following yarns held together:

• Boss Kitty Cats Cradle - Solid fingering weight; 75% superwash merino, 25% nylon in colorway ‘Murder Mittens’
• Jorstad Creek Isle of Skye lace weight; 70% superkid mohair, 30% mulberry silk in colorway ‘Lady Mary’

Needles
US 6 (4 mm) circular needle, 32” (80 cm) or longer

Gauge
22 sts and 30 rows = 4” (10 cm) in stockinette stitch, unblocked

Getting exact gauge is not critical, but it will affect the amount of yarn needed for your shawl.

Notions

• (1) Stitch marker
• Cable needle
• Tapestry needle

#vanessasmithdesigns #indirashawl