Buffalo Grass Triangle

Buffalo Grass Triangle by Anna Sudo

What Is Being Made

The Buffalo Grass Triangle is a small, lightweight triangular shawl designed as a top-down knit project. This elegant accessory features a finished size of 38 inches long along the edge and 18 inches from the center back to the point, making it a versatile piece suitable for layering or draping. The design is inspired by a delicate lace pattern that evokes the visual character of wide, flat sprigs of buffalo grass, bringing natural botanical inspiration to wearable knitwear.

Design Features and Construction

This intermediate-level knitting project employs a top-down construction method, allowing knitters to easily adjust the final size by working more or fewer pattern repeats. The shawl showcases a seamless integration of lace patterning that flows directly into the edging, creating a cohesive and refined finished piece. A distinctive design element includes several rows of nupps, a traditional knitting embellishment that adds textural interest and visual depth to the lace sections.

Stitches and Techniques Used

• Lace pattern: The Buffalo Grass lace pattern forms the primary decorative element, worked from charted instructions (Chart 2 pattern repeat)
• Reverse stockinette stitch: Used for the border to create the signature rolled edge that forms naturally through this stitch structure
• Nupps: Multiple rows of this traditional embellishment stitch add dimensional texture throughout the design
• Knit through the back loop (k1tbl) and purl through the back loop (p1tbl): Specialized stitch variations that provide shaping and definition
• Top-down construction: The shawl is worked from a center point outward, allowing for intuitive sizing and customization

Yarn and Needles

This pattern requires sport weight yarn, specifically one 100-gram skein of Östergötlands Ullspinneri Ombré (color 07) providing 330 yards (302 meters) of yardage. The project calls for two needle sizes to accommodate different sections: a US size 5 (3.75 mm) circular needle measuring 24 inches for the main lace pattern work, and a US size 8 (5 mm) needle for the rolled edge border. The gauge is established at 19 stitches and 24 rows over 4 inches (10 centimeters) in the Buffalo Grass lace pattern after blocking.

Additional Materials and Notions

Beyond yarn and needles, the project requires a crochet hook, waste yarn for provisional cast-on techniques, a tapestry needle for finishing, rustproof pins for blocking, and three stitch markers to track pattern repeats and construction sections. These supporting materials are essential for achieving the polished, professional finish characteristic of this intermediate-level design.