Sweetgrass Hills

Sweetgrass Hills Knit Shawl by Corrine Walcher

Project Overview

Sweetgrass Hills is an intermediate-level knit shawl pattern inspired by the Sweetgrass Hills mountain range that rises from the prairie near the Alberta-Montana border. This downloadable PDF pattern from independent designer Corrine Walcher creates a triangular shawl with elegant lace detailing and a finished size of 15 inches in depth with a 60-inch wingspan. Modification directions are included for customizing the finished dimensions.

Construction Technique

This shawl employs a three-stage construction method that builds the garment in distinct sections. The lace border is worked first, establishing the decorative edge detail. The short-row body follows, creating the main triangular shape through strategic increases and directional shaping. Finally, a simple garter stitch edging completes the piece, providing a clean finish to the garment.

Knitting Stitches and Abbreviations

The pattern utilizes fundamental knitting techniques combined with lace-work elements. Key stitches employed include:

• Knit (K) and Purl (P) for basic fabric construction
• Yarn Over (YO) for creating the lace openwork characteristic of the border
• Knit two together (K2tog) and Knit three together (K3tog) for decreasing stitches
• Slip, slip, knit (SSK) and Slip, slip, slip knit (SSSK) for left-leaning decreases
• Garter stitch for the edging, created by knitting every row

Yarn and Fiber Content

The sample shawl was knit using Dragonfly Fibers Dharma yarn in the colorway Firecracker. This luxury blend combines 50% yak fiber with 50% mulberry silk, creating a yarn with exceptional softness, sheen, and drape. The yarn is available in 480-yard skeins per 4 ounces. The sample shawl required 370 yards of yarn, though total yardage requirements may vary depending on modifications made to the finished size.

Needles and Gauge

This pattern calls for a Size 4 US (3.50mm) circular needle in a 24-inch length, or a size adjusted to obtain the specified gauge. The recommended gauge is 20 stitches and 29 rows per inch in blocked stockinette stitch. While gauge is noted as not critical for this item, variations in gauge will affect both the total yardage required and the drape characteristics of the finished shawl.

Yarn Weight Specifications

Sweetgrass Hills is designed for use with 3-ply and 4-ply weight yarns, making it suitable for a range of premium and standard fingering-weight fibers. This yarn weight classification ensures the lace pattern will have appropriate stitch definition and the finished shawl will have the intended drape and elegance.

Pattern Details

The pattern was designed and copyrighted by Corrine Walcher in 2018. The downloadable PDF format allows crafters to work at their own pace and reference instructions throughout the knitting process. Modification directions are included within the pattern, enabling knitters to adjust dimensions to suit personal preferences or available yardage.