Gem Waves

Gem Waves Crescent Shawl by Lesley Robinson

What Is Being Made

Gem Waves is a crescent-shaped shawl designed by Lesley Anne Robinson. This textural knit project features a wingspan of 90 inches (229 cm) and a depth of 16 inches (41 cm) after blocking, making it an elegant accessory piece suitable for various occasions and styling options.

Knitting Techniques Used

This shawl employs a sophisticated combination of knitting techniques to achieve its distinctive wave-like appearance. The pattern integrates garter stitch for foundational texture, two-color brioche for dimensional color work, and eyelet stockinette stripes to create visual interest and movement throughout the design. The brioche technique requires slipping stitches purl-wise, with each slipped stitch and its yarn over counted as a single stitch during construction.

Stitches and Stitch Work

• Garter stitch: Creates a bumpy, textured base throughout sections of the shawl
• Two-color brioche: Produces dimensional color blocking and texture by working with both main and contrast colors
• Eyelet stockinette stripes: Adds delicate openwork sections that contrast with denser stitch areas
• Slipped stitches: Worked purl-wise in brioche sections for proper stitch definition

Materials and Yarn Requirements

Gem Waves requires 765 yards (699 meters) total of fingering weight yarn, divided between two colors. The Main Color (MC) calls for 380 yards (347 meters), while the Contrast Color (CC) requires 385 yards (352 meters). This yardage is calculated for fingering or sock weight yarn, making it an efficient project that works beautifully with speckled, variegated, or solid and semi-solid yarn options. The pattern encourages crafters to showcase special yarn from their stash or select new skeins from their local yarn shop.

Difficulty Level and Project Suitability

Rated as a beginner-friendly project, Gem Waves makes an excellent introduction to shawl knitting and brioche techniques. The combination of straightforward stitches and clear construction methods allows newer knitters to build confidence while creating a sophisticated finished piece.

Needles and Tools

The pattern specifies appropriate needle sizing for 4-ply yarn weight, though specific needle size recommendations appear in the full pattern documentation. Standard knitting needles suitable for fingering weight yarn are required for this project.