This lace shawl is knitted from side to side and constructed in two halves – each beginning with just a few stitches – which are then joined together after the knitting is complete.

The design is inspired by autumnal silver birch trees (or ‘birk trees’ in Scots), one of the oldest native species in Scotland. It recalls their small fluttering leaves that turn golden yellow and brown in autumn, set against the birches’ slender silver-coloured trunks. These ideas translate into the shawl design through lace sections, interlaced broken rib motifs, small cables that add texture and the strong straight lines created by columns of stitches.

One size
Finished Depth: 61 cm / 24 in
Finished Width: 172 cm / 67.5 in

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

Yarn
The Silly Sheep Fibre Company, Lace weight, 100% Shetland, 265 m / 290 yds per 50 g skein. (www.sillysheepfibrecompany.co.uk)

Natural, 4 x 50g cakes

OR in lace weight yarn which knits to the specified gauge and has similar stitch definition and drape.