Angharad

Angharad Laceweight Shawl by Rebecca Blair

What is Being Made

Angharad is a top-down triangular shawl designed by Rebecca Blair to showcase the delicate qualities of laceweight yarn. This downloadable knitting pattern creates a finished shawl measuring 74 inches along the hypotenuse and 37 inches from the centre of the hypotenuse to the bottom point after blocking. The shawl combines elegant lace patterning with decorative finishing details, making it a sophisticated accessory suitable for special occasions or as a showcase piece for premium yarn.

Construction and Design Features

The shawl employs a top-down construction method, which allows knitters to adjust the final size by continuing to knit additional repeats of the lace pattern. A simple repeating lace motif forms the primary design element throughout the body of the shawl. The hypotenuse—the longest diagonal edge—is finished with narrow picots that create a delicate, refined edge. The bottom edge features a wider, knitted-on scalloped edging that adds visual interest and texture to contrast with the standard triangular construction. The body incorporates garter stitch sections that work in harmony with the lace pattern to create depth and dimension.

Knitting Techniques and Stitches

This advanced-level pattern requires proficiency with multiple knitting techniques. The primary stitch work includes lace knitting, which involves yarn overs and decreases to create openwork patterns. Garter stitch—formed by knitting every row—appears as a structural element, chosen specifically to complement laceweight yarn with a crisp hand and subtle halo. The pattern utilizes Chart B for the main lace patterning, with a separate Narrow Edging Chart A for the picot finishing on the hypotenuse. The scalloped edging is knitted on rather than picked up and knitted separately, demonstrating an integrated finishing technique. Knitters must be comfortable reading lace charts and managing multiple stitch markers to track pattern repeats across the expanding triangular shape.

Yarn and Materials

The pattern calls for laceweight yarn with specific characteristics: a crisp hand and subtle halo that will showcase the delicate lace motif effectively. The sample was knitted using Stansborough Fibres Stansborough Grey, a 100% wool laceweight yarn that provides 450 yards (411 metres) per 50-gram skein. The project requires 2 skeins of yarn, totaling 900 yards of laceweight fiber. Recommended needle size is a 24-inch or longer 3.5mm circular needle, or whatever size is needed to obtain the specified gauge of 20 stitches and 24 rows over 4 inches in Chart B pattern. Additional materials include stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats, scrap yarn for provisional cast-on or stitch holders, a tapestry needle for weaving in ends, and T-pins for blocking the finished shawl to open up the lace and achieve the final dimensions.

Gauge and Sizing

Achieving the correct gauge is essential for this advanced lace project. The specified gauge is 20 stitches and 24 rows measured over 4 inches when working Chart B pattern in the recommended laceweight yarn. Knitters should swatch before beginning and adjust needle size as needed to match this gauge precisely, as even small variations will significantly affect the final shawl dimensions. The finished size of 74 inches along the hypotenuse represents the blocked measurements after the shawl has been properly pinned and dried.

Difficulty Level

Angharad is classified as an advanced knitting project, suitable for experienced knitters with solid lace knitting skills. The pattern requires the ability to read and follow lace charts accurately, manage an expanding number of stitches across a triangular construction, and execute both the main lace pattern and the decorative edging techniques. Knitters new to lace should consider building skills with simpler projects before attempting this design.