Welsh love spoons are hand-carved wooden spoons traditionally made by young men to express their love, affection and commitment towards someone they care about. They are traditionally carved from a single piece of wood with symbolic motifs, such as hearts (love and affection), keys/keyholes (security or the key to someone’s heart) and knots (unity and eternal love). Part of my family is Welsh, and I quite like this piece of tradition, dating back as far as the 17th century.

The Lovespoon has evolved, and they are nowadays given by anyone as a symbol of love, friendship and good wishes.

The Lovespoon Shawl is inspired by the beauty of the Welsh love spoons – delicate flowing lines and interwoven motifs that mirror the fine carved details of the love spoons themselves. The heart-formed lacework reflects the tender symbols of love and connection, while the cables echo the strength and commitment found in these ancient carvings.

Each stitch carries the story of love and devotion, making this shawl not only a beautiful piece of art, but also a heartfelt gift. With this sentiment in mind, why not wrap yourself in this shawl as a tribute to the timeless symbol of love or give it as a meaningful gesture to someone who holds the key to your heart!

Two sizes
Finished measurements:
Length:
135 192 cm / 53.25 75.5 in

Width:
19 28.5 cm / 7.5 11.25 in

Yarn:
1 2 skeins of Iolair Yarn Canna
(100 % baby llama, 400 m/ 437 yds per 100 g) or use any 4ply yarn as a substitute.

Approximate yardage used:
400 800 m / 437 874 yds

Gauge:
30 stitches and 31 rows over 10 cm / 4 in cable-lace pattern, blocked.

The tension is not critical for this shawl, but it will affect the amount of yarn used and the size of the finished shawl.

Needles & Notions:
3.25mm / US 3 with a length of 40 cm / 15.7 in.
Use the needle size that achieves the best gauge.
Cable needle, scissors, tapestry needle, stitch markers (optional) to mark pattern repeats

Construction notes:
The Lovespoon Shawl is a rectangular shawl worked lengthways, starting with a cable-rib border, followed by a cable-lace pattern, and finished by a cable-rib border again. Two options are provided for working the side edges of the shawl, in either garter stitch or I-cord.

Chart and written instruction are provided for both the cable-rib border and the cable-lace pattern.