I've Got the Blues

I've Got the Blues Knitted Shawl by MaryG Knits

What is Being Made

I've Got the Blues is a top-down shawl designed in the Faroese style. This downloadable knitting pattern creates a triangular or crescent-shaped wrap featuring an ever-widening center-lace panel flanked by garter-stitch borders, with a stockinette body that expands as you work downward from the top. The finished shawl uses approximately 920 yards of fingering-weight wool yarn, making it a substantial accessory suitable for layering or wearing as a lightweight wrap.

Construction and Techniques

The shawl begins with a garter-tab cast-on, a traditional Faroese shawl technique that creates a neat, reinforced starting point. From this tab, the pattern expands outward with a charted lace panel at the center that grows wider as additional stitches are increased throughout the knitting process. The design combines three distinct stitch sections: the decorative center-lace panel, garter-stitch borders on either side for structure and definition, and a large stockinette body that forms the bulk of the shawl. This combination of stitch patterns creates visual interest while the stockinette sections are described as "mindless" knitting, making them suitable for experienced knitters who want to work without constant pattern reference.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

• Garter stitch: Used for the initial tab and the borders framing the lace panel, providing a textured, reversible edge
• Lace stitches: Featured in the center panel with charted instructions to create an openwork design
• Stockinette stitch: Comprises the main body of the shawl, worked in rows to create a smooth, classic knit fabric

Materials and Tools

The pattern calls for approximately 920 yards of fingering-weight wool yarn. The sample shown uses Queensland's United Foursome in the colorway "Bondi Beach," a gradient yarn that adds visual depth to the finished piece. Knitters will need US#4 circular needles in both 16-inch and 36-inch lengths—the longer length is essential for accommodating the increasing number of stitches as the shawl widens. Additional materials include stitch markers (at least four to separate different sections of the shawl body), a tapestry needle for weaving in ends, and blocking supplies such as lace pins, wires, and blocking boards to shape and finish the completed shawl.

Gauge and Finished Dimensions

The pattern specifies a gauge of 20 stitches by 32 rows over 4 inches when measured in stockinette stitch and blocked. Achieving this gauge is important for obtaining the intended finished dimensions and ensuring the shawl drapes properly. Blocking is essential to open up the lace pattern and set the shawl's final shape and size.

Pattern Format and Difficulty Level

This is an intermediate-level knitting pattern suitable for knitters with solid foundational skills. The directions are provided in both charted and written-out formats, offering flexibility for knitters who prefer visual charts or written instructions. The pattern was designed by Mary C. Gildersleeve (copyright 2019) and is available as a downloadable PDF. The combination of top-down construction, lace work, and shaping increases makes this project appropriate for knitters ready to move beyond basic patterns but not necessarily advanced techniques.