Corfu Shawl

Corfu Shawl by Andrea Jurgrau

What is Being Made

The Corfu Shawl is a lace-weight knit shawl designed for advanced or adventurous intermediate knitters. This downloadable PDF pattern from BadCatDesigns creates a finished square shawl measuring 44 inches square, or 56 inches measured diagonally from corner to corner. The shawl is an ideal accessory project that showcases delicate lace-weight construction and intricate shaping techniques.

Construction Method and Techniques

This shawl employs a distinctive construction approach that begins with a circular cast-on worked from the center outward. This technique allows the shawl to expand gradually from a central point, creating an organic, radiating design. The edging is completed last, after the main body is finished, which is a common approach in shawl design that allows for easier finishing and adjustment of dimensions.

A notable technical feature involves the shawl's corners, which are shaped using short-row techniques. Short rows are partial rows worked back and forth across a subset of stitches, creating gradual increases and shaping without visible gaps or holes. This specialized series of short-rows at the corners helps achieve the precise square geometry of the finished piece.

All knit stitches throughout the pattern are worked through the back leg of the stitch, which creates a twisted stitch effect. This technique adds textural interest and can affect how the lace pattern reads visually, contributing to the overall aesthetic of the finished shawl.

Yarn and Materials

The Corfu Shawl requires 220 grams or approximately 1600 yards of lace-weight yarn. The pattern specifically recommends Jade Sapphire silk/cashmere 2-ply as an excellent choice for this project. This luxury blend combines the drape and sheen of silk with the softness and warmth of cashmere, making it ideal for a refined lace shawl. Lace-weight yarn is among the finest yarn weights used in knitting, requiring patience and attention to detail but rewarding makers with delicate, ethereal finished pieces.

Needles and Tools

• US size 4 circular needles (at least 24 inches in length) for the main construction, or a size that produces your preferred gauge and fabric appearance
• Same size double-pointed needles for working the center circular cast-on and potentially for sections where circular needles become impractical
• Yarn needle for weaving in ends after completion
• Stainless steel blocking pins for wet blocking and shaping the finished shawl
• Stitch markers (at least four) to track pattern repeats and construction sections

Gauge and Finishing

The pattern specifies a gauge of 4.5 stitches per inch when blocked in pattern. However, the pattern notes that gauge is not critical for this project, allowing knitters flexibility to swatch and select a needle size that produces the fabric appearance and drape they prefer. This approach is particularly useful for lace projects where personal preference for openness and delicacy varies. The finished shawl is blocked to measurements, which helps set the lace pattern and achieve the intended square dimensions and diagonal measurement.

Skill Level Considerations

Designed for advanced or adventurous intermediate knitters, the Corfu Shawl combines several techniques that require solid foundational skills: working with lace-weight yarn, managing a circular cast-on, reading and executing lace patterns, executing short-row shaping, and understanding how to block a lace garment for finished dimensions. Knitters at this level should be comfortable with pattern reading, increasing and decreasing stitches, and managing multiple stitch markers to track complex pattern sections.