Blanquefort

Blanquefort Shawl by Mathieu Arnold

What is Being Made

The Blanquefort shawl is a two-color long shawl designed by Mathieu Arnold. This intermediate-level knitting project creates a finished piece measuring 190 cm × 40 cm (75″ × 16″), making it an elegant accessory suitable for draping across the shoulders. The shawl features a sophisticated construction with horizontal stripes and three distinct slanted panels that create visual interest and structural definition.

Design Structure and Panels

The Blanquefort shawl employs a three-panel construction that distinguishes it from simpler shawl designs. The middle panel uses garter stitch, a fundamental knitting technique that creates a textured, reversible fabric with horizontal ridges. This central panel serves as the focal point of the design. The two side panels feature a textured pattern that complements the garter stitch center, creating contrast and visual balance. The slanted orientation of all three panels adds dynamic movement to the finished shawl.

Knitting Techniques and Stitches

This intermediate-level pattern requires knitters to be comfortable with several fundamental techniques. Garter stitch forms the foundation of the middle panel—this is created by knitting every row, producing a bumpy, textured fabric that is identical on both sides. The side panels employ textured stitch patterns that add visual complexity and depth to the design. The pattern incorporates color work through two-color striping, requiring knitters to manage yarn changes and maintain consistent tension across color transitions. Knitters will need to use stitch markers to track the panel divisions and maintain pattern alignment throughout the project.

Yarn and Materials

The Blanquefort shawl is designed to be worked in fingering-weight yarn (4-ply), a fine yarn that creates delicate, detailed fabric. The pattern requires two colors of yarn:

• Main Color: 370 meters (410 yards)
• Contrasting Color: 370 meters (410 yards)

The designer worked the sample using Imogène Big Bad Yarn « So » made from Falkland merino, with the main color in « Fisherman » (a dark blue). This high-quality merino yarn provides softness and drape ideal for a long shawl.

Needles and Gauge

Knitters will need US 5 / 3.75 mm needles (or the size required to achieve proper gauge). The pattern specifies a gauge of 23 stitches by 46 rows over 10 cm / 4″ when measured in stockinette stitch. Achieving correct gauge is essential for obtaining the intended finished dimensions of 190 cm × 40 cm.

Additional Notions

Beyond needles and yarn, the Blanquefort pattern requires minimal additional materials: two stitch markers to track panel divisions and a darning needle for weaving in ends and finishing the shawl.

Pattern Instructions

The pattern includes comprehensive instructions covering all abbreviations and techniques needed to complete the project. The designer emphasizes reading all instructions and the abbreviations and techniques section before casting on, ensuring knitters understand the full scope of the pattern before beginning.