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This pattern is free for a limited time. Just add to cart and complete checkout to receive the download. For more info, click here. Use code: Sa-Pa-15 at checkout to get 15% off our lace-weight and fingering-weight yarns today.

SIZE:

30” (76 cm) wide x 53” (135 cm) long, blocked

MATERIALS:

Expression Fiber Arts Alpaca Silk Lace yarn

Shown in colors: Lush Mountain Hues (604 yds/552 m per skein; 1,812 yds/1,656 m per three-skein kit)

Colors used from darkest to lightest.

If those colors aren’t available, any from this category will work.

NEEDLE:

US size 5 (3.75 mm) circular needle with 32” cord to accommodate the stitches, or size needed to obtain gauge

SKILL LEVEL:

Intermediate: This pattern is for those who feel comfortable with knitting and have made a few projects, using various skills and techniques. Skills/ concepts include reading a chart or written instructions, knitting basic lace stitches, and adding beads (optional).

Notes from the Designer:

Sa Pa is named for a city in Vietnam located in the northern part of the country in the heart of a mountain range. I visited Sa Pa when I was in college and still recall the wonder of driving up the windy roads first thing in the morning after an eight-hour train ride from Hanoi and seeing the sun peak out from around the verdant mountains. I was with a group of other college students who had travelled halfway across the world to teach English at a secondary school summer class in Hanoi. The school gave us many opportunities to sightsee when we weren’t teaching, including a weekend trip to Sa Pa, which was very special.

Wandering through the town’s marketplace, hiking up and down the mountains to a waterfall, seeing beautiful examples of architecture (both Western and Eastern in style), eating excellent cuisine – including chocolate chip banana crepes for breakfast – are experiences I treasure. This shawl would be very welcome during the cool mountain evenings of Sa Pa or wherever you may find yourself in need of a lacy, elegant accessory. Sa Pa is knit in one piece with a simple, repeating lace pattern, which can be customized both lengthwise and widthwise. You can also add beads if desired to make it extra special. The lace pattern is adapted from 50 Fabulous Knitted Lace Stitches by Rita Weiss. Happy knitting!

• Click here to watch a video tutorial demonstrating how to work the stitches, while making a mini version of this shawl.
• The sample shown used approximately 1,560 yds / 1,426 m total. Colors A, B, and C used approximately 520 yds / 475 m each.
• Sa Pa is worked flat from the bottom up in one piece.
• If you wish to adjust the width of your project, cast on a multiple of 12 + 3. For example, if you want to knit six repeats across, you would calculate the number of stitches as (12 x 6) + 3 = 75 stitches.
• When it’s time to add a bead, slip a bead onto your crochet hook. Then, take the next stitch off the left-hand needle, and place the stitch on the hook. Slide the bead down onto the held stitch. Carefully place the stitch back on your left-hand needle, and knit the stitch normally.
• Before knitting your project, be sure to test the colorfastness of your beads. String a few beads on some waste yarn, and soak for a few minutes to make sure that the beads don’t bleed onto the yarn, especially if you are using a white or light-colored yarn. If you are still concerned about the possibility of your beads bleeding, you may wish to spray block your project. When you are ready to block your finished shawl, pin your project to shape, and spritz it with cold water until wet. Adjust the pins as needed to achieve your desired measurements, spritzing as needed to keep your project wet. Then let dry.

Designed by Emma Butram

You’ll receive a digital file only (instantly downloadable as a PDF) and won’t be shipped anything. Please allow a few minutes for the download link to be emailed to you. If the email doesn’t arrive within a few minutes, just log into your account on our site, and you’ll see your Completed Orders. From there, you’ll find the download link.

Enjoy your knitting!

Chandi

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