Boscastle

Boscastle Knitted Shawl by Colleen Abbot

What Is Being Made

Boscastle is an intermediate-level knitted shawl design that measures 60 inches wide by 27 inches deep. This triangular shawl combines two distinct fingering weight yarns to create visual interest through contrasting stitch patterns and yarn characteristics. The design is inspired by Boscastle, a picturesque fishing village on the North coast of Cornwall, UK, known for its natural harbor protected by historic stone walls built in 1584.

Knitting Techniques Used

This shawl employs a two-yarn construction method that showcases different knitting techniques in distinct sections. The design alternates between areas of smooth, dense fabric and openwork sections, allowing each yarn to be featured prominently in its most flattering context. The shawl concludes with a decorative picot bind off, which frames the edge and adds visual interest at the completion of the final stockinette section. This finishing technique creates an elegant, refined edge that complements the overall design.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

• Stockinette stitch: Used in solid sections to showcase the hand-painted colors of Yarn A, creating smooth, uniform fabric
• Lace panels: Openwork sections that feature a 9 stitch by 18 row pattern repeat, measuring 1.75 inches wide by 2 inches deep after blocking
• Picot bind off: A decorative edge finish that adds textural interest and frames the shawl's perimeter

Materials and Gauge

This knitting pattern requires one US size 4 (3.5mm) circular needle, 32 inches long. The project uses two fingering weight yarns: Yarn A totals 400 yards (365 meters), pictured in Pagewood Farms Yukon in the colorway 'Army Girl,' while Yarn B requires 250 yards (230 meters) of Swan's Island Natural Colors Merino Fingering. The gauge is 22 stitches and 38 rows over 4 inches in stockinette stitch using US size 4 needles after blocking, which is standard for fingering weight yarn at this needle size.

Yarn Selection and Design Philosophy

The Boscastle design demonstrates thoughtful yarn pairing, with the hand-painted Pagewood Farms Yukon yarn displayed in stockinette sections where its color variations shine, while the Swan's Island Merino Fingering is reserved for lace panels where the stitch definition becomes the focal point. This strategic placement ensures that each yarn's unique characteristics are highlighted to best advantage, creating a balanced and visually interesting finished shawl.