Super-Spiral Shawl by Meg Swansen

Super-Spiral Shawl

Knitting
November 2000
Schoolhouse Press Laceweight Icelandic
Lace ?
14 stitches = 4 inches
in Stockinette stitch using size 10 (6mm) needles - blocked
US 10 - 6.0 mm
1250 yards (1143 m)
66-68" in diameter
English
Errata available: stitches.events

Pattern Description from A Gathering of Lace: “This design spirals at twice the rate of the preceding shawl and is more like a Nautilus shell. Again, you will quickly memorize the simple increase technique and may decide to add different lace patterns in between the swirls. Two versions are shown: the slate blue sample is decorated only by the increase lines and the narrow edging; the burgundy shawl has a simple (yo, k2tog) design in every other segment.”

Skill Level: Intermediate

Finished Measurements: 66-68” in diameter

Yarn: Schoolhouse Press Laceweight Icelandic (1¾oz/50g; 250yds/228m; wool) 5 balls Cranberry #9154 or Slate #0008

Needles: Size 10 (6mm) needles in double-pointed (dpn) and circular, 16”and 24” (40 and 60 cm) long, or size to obtain gauge

Extras:

  • 7 yarn loop markers, 6 of one color and one of a contrating color to mark the beginning of the rnd
  • Tapestry needle
  • Rust-proof T-pins

Blocked Gauge: 14 sts to 4”/10cm in St st using size 10 (6mm) needles

Notes:

  1. The shawl is knit circularly from the center out. Begin with dpn and change to the 16” circular needle when possible; end with the 24” needle.
  2. The basic spiral design is one I have seen in a number of old lace doilies. It causes you (in each section) to inc 3 sts on every other rnd and dec 1 st every rnd. Thus you gain 8 sts overall every 2nd rnd.
  3. The optional mesh pat, worked every other segment in the burgundy shawl, is indicated in color on the body chart.
  4. See Techniques, p. 162, for circular beginnings, double yo, and EZ’s Sewn Cast-Off.