Loft is a slightly asymmetric shawl that is knitted from the narrowest point, getting wider as you go. It’s an easy pattern that uses a series of colour changes to create definition and interest. This is a great on the go project as it’s easy to memorise and won’t boggle you. Inspired by a weekend away with lots of friends at Edinburgh Yarn Festival, the stripes represent the many flights of stairs to our city centre accommodation - The Loft.

This pattern is for a DK version. A 4 ply/fingering weight version is also available here.

The pattern structure is simple but effective with easy to memorise increases, decreases and colour changes. It is worked sideways, starting at the smallest point, so your rows get longer as you work through the pattern.

Pattern Tutorial* To accompany this pattern I have created a pattern tutorial. This is available through a private YouTube link that can only be accessed by people that have bought the pattern for Loft (DK & 4 Ply versions).

The tutorial takes you through the notions needed, shawl construction, key stitches used in the pattern, blocking hints and getting in touch.

If you make this shawl please do upload your WIP and FO on Ravelry. It would be great to see it on Instagram too - #LoftShawl #FayDHDesigns #LoftAlong @faydhdesigns

Needles: 4mm circular needles and 40cm+ cable
Gauge: unblocked 11 sts and 16 rows over 5cm/2”. Blocked 10 sts and 15 rows over 5cm/2”.
Hours: approx 24 hours to make. If you want to make a quicker one, the crocheted DK version takes about 15 hours (just search for ‘Loft’ in Ravelry’.
Meterage: 710m (approx 235m Yarn A, 230m Yarn B, 245m Yarn C).
Blocked dimensions: 234cm/92” top (longest) edge, 202cm/79.5” next longest edge and 72cm/28.25” for shortest edge.

Yarn: This pattern works well with most DK wools (250m/273yds per 100g), but you need to ensure you have a wool with enough meterage as you will use up nearly all of it!
The wool used within the pattern is John Arbon Textiles Knit By Numbers DK (Merino) in shades KBN068 (A), KBN070 (B) and KBN072 (C). This is a beautiful Merino wool (non Superwash) spun in Devon, England. It comes in at 250m/273yds per 100g and to complete the full pattern I used 284g (94g of A, 92g of B and 98g of C).

Yarn substitutes: Something with the same or very similar meterage. It can be a different blend but be aware that meterage requirements will change if you substitute yarns. Ideally, you want something that is soft and squishy that will create a warm fabric.

Blocking: This is a project that definitely benefits from wet blocking as it means you can unfurl the shawl (it will coil as you knit it) and create really neat edges. If you are new to wet blocking, I have pulled together a YouTube Tutorial for that too: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TrMD-NoDwnM&t=189s