The Maltese Shawl by Jane Sowerby

The Maltese Shawl

Knitting
November 2006
Lace ?
18 stitches and 26 rows = 4 inches
in Stockinette stitch on larger needles
US 6 - 4.0 mm
US 7 - 4.5 mm
1100 yards (1006 m)
93" x 26"
English

Pattern Description from Victorian Lace Today: “This shawl’s center pattern originally appeared as a Maltese stripe consisting of a series of Maltese crosses. Jane Gaugain’s book of 1847 gives a netting pattern for a mitten in Maltese Spotting brought back by Her Majesty Queen Adelaide (Queen Dowager) from her travels in Malta--a favorite destination for wealthy travelers at the time and an island famous for real lace.”

Difficulty: Intermediate Lace

Measurements: 93” x 26”

Yarn Weight/Yardage: #2 Fine Weight / 1100 yds

Yarn & Colorway: ROWAN Kidsilk Haze 5 balls in 596 Marmalade

Needles:

  • 4.5mm/US 7 circular needles, or size to obtain gauge, 60cm (24”) or longer
  • Two 4mm/US 6 double-pointed needles
  • The center panel is knit on larger needles; border is knit on 2 dpns in smaller needle size.

Notions:

  • Stitch markers
  • Blunt needle
  • Small amount of smooth yarn for cast-on

Notes:

  • Place markers between repeats of Center panel.
  • Work Center panel first, then work Border, joining stitches to Center panel at end of every WS row.

Page: 162

Volunteer Editor’s note: Many knitters have reported running short of yarn on VLT patterns--check gauge carefully (and purchase extra yardage, just to be safe!)