This simple skakki knitted on big needles with only 1 skein, or 25 grams, of my Love Story lace yarn is a mindless and quick project for a mind-blowing ethereal result.

Love Story is made of pure Icelandic lambswool that I carefully select from Icelandic farmers. It is reminiscent of the very fine handspun þel yarns (the softest undercoat of the Icelandic sheep) that were used to knit traditional lace shawls. Some shawls were so fine that they could be drawn through a golden ring.

But you don’t need to knit lace to show off the beauty of Love Story: A simple shawl like the traditional Icelandic skakki will do.
Skakki is the name that was used in the Westfjords of Iceland for top-down garter stitch triangular shawls, that were worn crossed over the front and bound at the back. They were often decorated with a few stripes or bands of openwork, gataprjón (hole knitting), at the bottom.

The most difficult part is to choose between the 20 available colors from Love Story!

Size: one size.
Depth at center 70 cm/ 27”, wingspan 150 cm/ 59”

Gauge
10 cm / 4” = 10 sts and 20 rows in garter st on 7 mm / US 10 ¾ needle with cobweb/lace weight yarn heavily stretched and blocked.
Check your gauge and if necessary, change needle size to obtain the correct gauge. Gauge is quite loose to achieve the airy effect.
Gauge is not essential but will affect the yardage required.

Wool
Love Story Einband by Hélène Magnússon, pure new wool, 100% Icelandic lambswool, cobweb/lace weight, 25 g /skein = 220 m /240 yds: 1 skein

Sample shown uses Raven black. Sylvía is wearing her Gamaldags cardigan underneath.

Needle: 7 mm / US 10 ¾ circular needle (suitable for lace with pointy tips)

Notions: tapestry needle, blocking wires and pins. Towel, pinning board (you can also use a mattress, the back of a sofa, etc…)

Techniques: the shawl is knitted from the top down. It is made of two triangles separated by a center st (CS) and has 2 sts border on each edge. It is shaped with yo inc on RS at each edge and on both sides of the center st. If you wish, you can place markers on both sides of the center st and on each side, 2 sts from end.