SIALIA SHAWL

Spread your wings in this Sialia shawl, inspired by mountain bluebirds. Knit with just one skein of fingering weight yarn, it’s light as a feather and has a nice drape.

The shawl is knitted from the top down in four sections. Its repeating lace pattern creates a nice texture and is rather easy to memorize. Tassels can be added to make the corners look more polished.

This pattern was designed so that knitting can be stopped after any row, which allows you to use every precious yard of your yarn as well as adjust the length of the shawl. The Sialia design can be used as a base for experiments, as neither yarn weight nor gauge is critical. This makes it a perfect fit for a great and fast project with that one very special skein of yarn.

YARN

1 skein of Touchwood Yarncraft Handspun yarn (100% corriedale wool, 3.5oz/100g, 550yds/500m)
Any fingering weight yarn will work fine. The pattern can be modified for another yarn weight and yardage

NEEDLES

US8/5.0mm or US9/5.5mm needles
For any other weight: use needles at least three sizes up from the size stated on the label to keep the fabric airy and light

GAUGE

18 sts and 24 rows in 4”/10cm in Garter Stitch, blocked
Is not crucial and can be changed to fit the desired yarn

NOTIONS

Scissors
Stitch markers
A piece of cardboard for tassels (optional)
Tapestry needle
A bit of waste yarn for the provisional cast on
Blocking mats and pins

FINISHED SIZE

63”/160cm long +tassels
29”/74cm wide

List Of Abbreviations

Notes

The pattern has both the written row-by-row instructions and the charts.
The number of rows that are worked may vary depending on the yarn, gauge, and desired size of the shawl.
The shawl is knitted from the top down with increases in every 4th row. Increases are made in the form of m1h - make 1 leaving a decorative hole.. Instructions for this stitch are given in the Abbreviations section.
Each row of the shawl is started and finished with Garter Stitch. The neat braid-like edge is created by the slipped first stitches - they are slipped as if to purl wyif.
If you’d like to make tassels, save yarn for them in advance: 2 tassels require approximately 26ft (8m). Here is the Tassel Tutorial.

Pattern

SET UP

Cast on 3 sts with the waste yarn using provisional cast on method.

R1 (RS): k3
R2 (WS): sl1wyif, k2
Repeat R1-2 for 3 more times. Then knit R1 once more.

Place stitches onto a stitch holder or a piece of waste yarn. Do not cut working yarn.
Here’s how the WS looks like now:

Remove the waste yarn from the CO side and pick up 3 live stitches there. Pick up 7sts along the knitted stitches edge. Then pick up 3sts from the stitch holder. 13sts on the needles.

The next row will be worked on the WS. Prepare 6 stitch markers.
R0 (WS): sl1wyif, k2; (p1, M, p1tbl, M)x 3 times, p1; k3.

BODY OF A SHAWL

First and last 3sts create the edge of a shawl, so each row starts with (sl1wyif, k2) and ends with (k3).
The shawl is knitted in 4 identical sections.
There are three 1-stitch “connection stripes” between the sections. You can look at them as at raglan lines and mark with the stitch markers.
Increases are made along these stripes in each 4th row. Stitches of the stripes are knitted tbl on RS and purled tbl on WS to make them more visible. They are marked with the stitch markers (M) on both sides.

The shawl construction looks like this:
On RS: 3sts edge; lace; M, k1tbl, M - connection stripe; lace; M, k1tbl, M - connection stripe; lace; M, k1tbl, M - connection stripe; lace; 3sts of edge.
On WS: 3sts edge; lace; M, p1tbl, M - connection stripe; lace; M, p1tbl, M - connection stripe; lace; M, p1tbl, M - connection stripe; lace; 3sts of edge.

General idea on how to knit each row:
RS: sl1wyif, k2; (k by lace pat until marker; sl M, k1tbl, sl M)x 3 times; k by lace pat until last 3sts; k3.
WS: sl1wyif, k2; (k by lace pat until marker; sl M, p1tbl, sl M)x 3 times; k by lace pat until last 3sts; k3.

The number of rows that are worked may vary depending on the yarn, gauge, and desired size of the shawl. The sample shawl was finished after completing R154. Regardless of the yarn choice or gauge, the last row of the shawl has to be completed on the WS. This will help to keep the shape of the finished garment.

WRITTEN INSTRUCTIONS

R1 (RS): sl1wyif, k2; ({m1h, k1, m1h}; sl M, k1tbl, sl M)x 3 times; {m1h, k1, m1h}; k3. (21sts)
R2 (WS): sl1wyif, k2; ({k1, p1, k1}; sl M, p1tbl, sl M)x 3 times; {k1, p1, k1}; k3.
R3 (RS): sl1wyif, k2; ({p1, sl1wyib, p1}; sl M, k1tbl, sl M)x 3 times; {p1, sl1wyib, p1}; k3.
R4 (WS): sl1wyif, k2; ({k1, p1, k1}; sl M, p1tbl, sl M)x 3 times; {k1, p1, k1}; k3.
R5 (RS): sl1wyif, k2; ({m1h, p1, sl1wyib, p1, m1h}; sl M, k1tbl, sl M)x 3 times; {m1h, p1, sl1wyib, p1, m1h}; k3. (29sts)
R6 (WS): sl1wyif, k2; ({p1, k1, p1, k1, p1}; sl M, p1tbl, sl M)x 3 times; {p1, k1, p1, k1, p1}; k3.
R7 (RS): sl1wyif, k2; ({k1, p1, sl1wyib, p1, k1}; sl M, k1tbl, sl M)x 3 times; {k1, p1, sl1wyib, p1, k1}; k3.
R8 (WS): sl1wyif, k2; ({p1, k1, p1, k1, p1}; sl M, p1tbl, sl M)x 3 times; {p1, k1, p1, k1, p1}; k3.
R9 (RS): sl1wyif, k2; ({m1h, k1, p1, sl1wyib, p1, k1, m1h}; sl M, k1tbl, sl M)x 3 times; {m1h, k1, p1, sl1wyib, p1, k1, m1h}; k3. (37sts)
R10 (WS): sl1wyif, k2; ({p2, k1, p1, k1, p2}; sl M, p1tbl, sl M)x 3 times; {p2, k1, p1, k1, p2}; k3.

All the following rows are knitted in the same manner:
RS: sl1wyif, k2; ({k by lace pat until marker}; sl M, k1tbl, sl M)x 3 times; {k by lace pat until last 3sts}; k3.
WS: sl1wyif, k2; ({k by lace pat until marker}; sl M, p1tbl, sl M)x 3 times; {k by lace pat until last 3sts}; k3.

To make instructions more clear and easy to follow, only directions for the lace pattern (the part in the curly brackets) are given for the next rows.

LACE PATTERN

R11 (RS): {yo, ssk, p1, sl1wyib, p1, k2tog, yo}
R12 (WS): {p2, k1, p1, k1, p2}
R13 (RS): {m1h, yo, ssk, p1, sl1wyib, p1, k2tog, yo, m1h} (45sts)
R14 (WS): {p3, k1, p1, k1, p3}
R15 (RS): {k1, yo, ssk, p1, sl1wyib, p1, k2tog, yo, k1}
R16 (WS): {p3, k1, p1, k1, p3}
R17 (RS): {m1h, k1, yo, ssk, p1, sl1wyib, p1, k2tog, yo, k1, m1h} (53sts)
R18 (WS): {p4, k1, p1, k1, p4}
R19 (RS): {k2, yo, ssk, p1, sl1wyib, p1, k2tog, yo, k2}
R20 (WS): {p4, k1, p1, k1, p4}

R21 (RS): {m1h, k2, yo, ssk, p1, sl1wyib, p1, k2tog, yo, k2, m1h} (61sts)
R22 (WS): {p5, k1, p1, k1, p5}
R23 (RS): {m1h, k1, ssk, yo, ssk, p1, sl1wyib, p1, k2tog, yo, k2tog, k1, m1h}
R24 (WS): {p5, k1, p1, k1, p5}
R25 (RS): {m1h, yo, k1, ssk, yo, ssk, p1, sl1wyib, p1, k2tog, yo, k2tog, k1, yo, m1h} (69sts)
R26 (WS): {k1, p5, k1, p1, k1, p5, k1}

Starting from R27, the pattern will be used for future row repeats.
Directions in the square braces correspond to the framed part of the chart. They both show how to knit the repeating stripes of the lace. At this point you can ignore them.

R27 (RS): [p1, m1h, k1, ssk, yo, ssk, p1, sl1wyib, p1, k2tog, yo, k2tog, k1, m1h], p1
R28 (WS): k1, [p5, k1, p1, k1, p5, k1]
R29 (RS): m1h, [p1, m1h, k1, ssk, yo, ssk, p1, sl1wyib, p1, k2tog, yo, k2tog, k1, m1h], p1, m1h (77sts)
R30 (WS): p1, k1, [p5, k1, p1, k1, p5, k1], p1

R31 (RS): k1, [p1, m1h, k1, ssk, yo, ssk, p1, sl1wyib, p1, k2tog, yo, k2tog, k1, m1h], p1, k1

R32 (WS): p1, k1, [p5, k1, p1, k1, p5, k1], p1
R33 (RS): m1h, k1, [p1, m1h, k1, ssk, yo, ssk, p1, sl1wyib, p1, k2tog, yo, k2tog, k1, m1h], p1, k1, m1h (85sts)
R34 (WS): p2, k1, [p5, k1, p1, k1, p5, k1], p2
R35 (RS): k2, [p1, m1h, k1, ssk, yo, ssk, p1, sl1wyib, p1, k2tog, yo, k2tog, k1, m1h], p1, k2
R36 (WS): p2, k1, [p5, k1, p1, k1, p5, k1], p2
R37 (RS): m1h, k2, [p1, m1h, k1, ssk, yo, ssk, p1, sl1wyib, p1, k2tog, yo, k2tog, k1, m1h], p1, k2, m1h (93sts)
R38 (WS): p3, k1, [p5, k1, p1, k1, p5, k1], p3
R39 (RS): k2tog, k1, m1h, [p1, m1h, k1, ssk, yo, ssk, p1, sl1wyib, p1, k2tog, yo, k2tog, k1, m1h], p1, m1h, k1, ssk
R40 (WS): p3, k1, [p5, k1, p1, k1, p5, k1], p3

R41 (RS): m1h, k2tog, k1, m1h, [p1, m1h, k1, ssk, yo, ssk, p1, sl1wyib, p1, k2tog, yo, k2tog, k1, m1h], p1, m1h, k1, ssk, m1h (101sts)
R42 (WS): p4, k1, [p5, k1, p1, k1, p5, k1], p4
R43 (RS): k1, k2tog, k1, m1h, [p1, m1h, k1, ssk, yo, ssk, p1, sl1wyib, p1, k2tog, yo, k2tog, k1, m1h], p1, m1h, k1, ssk, k1
R44 (WS): p4, k1, [p5, k1, p1, k1, p5, k1], p4
R45 (RS): m1h, k1, k2tog, k1, m1h, [p1, m1h, k1, ssk, yo, ssk, p1, sl1wyib, p1, k2tog, yo, k2tog, k1, m1h], p1, m1h, k1, ssk, k1, m1h (109sts)
R46 (WS): p5, k1, [p5, k1, p1, k1, p5, k1], p5
R47 (RS): k2tog, yo, k2tog, k1, m1h, [p1, m1h, k1, ssk, yo, ssk, p1, sl1wyib, p1, k2tog, yo, k2tog, k1, m1h], p1, m1h, k1, ssk, yo, ssk
R48 (WS): p5, k1, [p5, k1, p1, k1, p5, k1], p5
R49 (RS): m1h, k2tog, yo, k2tog, k1, m1h, [p1, m1h, k1, ssk, yo, ssk, p1, sl1wyib, p1, k2tog, yo, k2tog, k1, m1h], p1, m1h, k1, ssk, yo, ssk, m1h (117sts)
R50 (WS): k1, p5, k1, [p5, k1, p1, k1, p5, k1], p5, k1

R51 (RS): p1, k2tog, yo, k2tog, k1, m1h, [p1, m1h, k1, ssk, yo, ssk, p1, sl1wyib, p1, k2tog, yo, k2tog, k1, m1h], p1, m1h, k1, ssk, yo, ssk, p1
R52 (WS): k1, p5, k1, [p5, k1, p1, k1, p5, k1], p5, k1
R53 (RS): m1h, p1, k2tog, yo, k2tog, k1, m1h, [p1, m1h, k1, ssk, yo, ssk, p1, sl1wyib, p1, k2tog, yo, k2tog, k1, m1h], p1, m1h, k1, ssk, yo, ssk, p1, m1h (125sts)
R54 (WS): p1, k1, p5, k1, [p5, k1, p1, k1, p5, k1], p5, k1, p1
R55 (RS): sl1wyib, p1, k2tog, yo, k2tog, k1, m1h, [p1, m1h, k1, ssk, yo, ssk, p1, sl1wyib, p1, k2tog, yo, k2tog, k1, m1h], p1, m1h, k1, ssk, yo, ssk, p1, sl1wyib
R56 (WS): p1, k1, p5, k1, [p5, k1, p1, k1, p5, k1], p5, k1, p1
R57 (RS): m1h, sl1wyib, p1, k2tog, yo, k2tog, k1, m1h, [p1, m1h, k1, ssk, yo, ssk, p1, sl1wyib, p1, k2tog, yo, k2tog, k1, m1h], p1, m1h, k1, ssk, yo, ssk, p1, sl1wyib, m1h (133sts)
R58 (WS): k1, p1, k1, p5, k1, [p5, k1, p1, k1, p5, k1], p5, k1, p1, k1
R59 (RS): p1, sl1wyib, p1, k2tog, yo, k2tog, k1, m1h, [p1, m1h, k1, ssk, yo, ssk, p1, sl1wyib, p1, k2tog, yo, k2tog, k1, m1h], p1, m1h, k1, ssk, yo, ssk, p1, sl1wyib, p1
R60 (WS): k1, p1, k1, p5, k1, [p5, k1, p1, k1, p5, k1], p5, k1, p1, k1

R61 (RS): m1h, p1, sl1wyib, p1, k2tog, yo, k2tog, k1, m1h, [p1, m1h, k1, ssk, yo, ssk, p1, sl1wyib, p1, k2tog, yo, k2tog, k1, m1h], p1, m1h, k1, ssk, yo, ssk, p1, sl1wyib, p1, m1h (141sts)
R62 (WS): p1, k1, p1, k1, p5, k1, [p5, k1, p1, k1, p5, k1], p5, k1, p1, k1, p1
R63 (RS): k1, p1, sl1wyib, p1, k2tog, yo, k2tog, k1, m1h, [p1, m1h, k1, ssk, yo, ssk, p1, sl1wyib, p1, k2tog, yo, k2tog, k1, m1h], p1, m1h, k1, ssk, yo, ssk, p1, sl1wyib, p1, k1
R64 (WS): p1, k1, p1, k1, p5, k1, [p5, k1, p1, k1, p5, k1], p5, k1, p1, k1, p1
R65 (RS): m1h, k1, p1, sl1wyib, p1, k2tog, yo, k2tog, k1, m1h, [p1, m1h, k1, ssk, yo, ssk, p1, sl1wyib, p1, k2tog, yo, k2tog, k1, m1h], p1, m1h, k1, ssk, yo, ssk, p1, sl1wyib, p1, k1, m1h (149sts)
R66 (WS): p2, k1, p1, k1, p5, k1, [p5, k1, p1, k1, p5, k1], p5, k1, p1, k1, p2
R67 (RS): yo, ssk, p1, sl1wyib, p1, k2tog, yo, k2tog, k1, m1h, [p1, m1h, k1, ssk, yo, ssk, p1, sl1wyib, p1, k2tog, yo, k2tog, k1, m1h], p1, m1h, k1, ssk, yo, ssk, p1, sl1wyib, p1, k2tog, yo
R68 (WS): p2, k1, p1, k1, p5, k1, [p5, k1, p1, k1, p5, k1], p5, k1, p1, k1, p2
R69 (RS): m1h, yo, ssk, p1, sl1wyib, p1, k2tog, yo, k2tog, k1, m1h, [p1, m1h, k1, ssk, yo, ssk, p1, sl1wyib, p1, k2tog, yo, k2tog, k1, m1h], p1, m1h, k1, ssk, yo, ssk, p1, sl1wyib, p1, k2tog, yo, m1h (157sts)
R70 (WS): p3, k1, p1, k1, p5, k1, [p5, k1, p1, k1, p5, k1], p5, k1, p1, k1, p3

R71 (RS): k1, yo, ssk, p1, sl1wyib, p1, k2tog, yo, k2tog, k1, m1h, [p1, m1h, k1, ssk, yo, ssk, p1, sl1wyib, p1, k2tog, yo, k2tog, k1, m1h], p1, m1h, k1, ssk, yo, ssk, p1, sl1wyib, p1, k2tog, yo, k1
R72 (WS): p3, k1, p1, k1, p5, k1, [p5, k1, p1, k1, p5, k1], p5, k1, p1, k1, p3
R73 (RS): m1h, k1, yo, ssk, p1, sl1wyib, p1, k2tog, yo, k2tog, k1, m1h, [p1, m1h, k1, ssk, yo, ssk, p1, sl1wyib, p1, k2tog, yo, k2tog, k1, m1h], p1, m1h, k1, ssk, yo, ssk, p1, sl1wyib, p1, k2tog, yo, k1, m1h (165sts)
R74 (WS): p4, k1, p1, k1, p5, k1, [p5, k1, p1, k1, p5, k1], p5, k1, p1, k1, p4
R75 (RS): k2, yo, ssk, p1, sl1wyib, p1, k2tog, yo, k2tog, k1, m1h, [p1, m1h, k1, ssk, yo, ssk, p1, sl1wyib, p1, k2tog, yo, k2tog, k1, m1h], p1, m1h, k1, ssk, yo, ssk, p1, sl1wyib, p1, k2tog, yo, k2
R76 (WS): p4, k1, p1, k1, p5, k1, [p5, k1, p1, k1, p5, k1], p5, k1, p1, k1, p4
R77 (RS): m1h, k2, yo, ssk, p1, sl1wyib, p1, k2tog, yo, k2tog, k1, m1h, [p1, m1h, k1, ssk, yo, ssk, p1, sl1wyib, p1, k2tog, yo, k2tog, k1, m1h], p1, m1h, k1, ssk, yo, ssk, p1, sl1wyib, p1, k2tog, yo, k2, m1h (173sts)
R78 (WS): p5, k1, p1, k1, p5, k1, [p5, k1, p1, k1, p5, k1], p5, k1, p1, k1, p5
R79 (RS): m1h, k1, ssk, yo, ssk, p1, sl1wyib, p1, k2tog, yo, k2tog, k1, m1h, [p1, m1h, k1, ssk, yo, ssk, p1, sl1wyib, p1, k2tog, yo, k2tog, k1, m1h], p1, m1h, k1, ssk, yo, ssk, p1, sl1wyib, p1, k2tog, yo, k2tog, k1, m1h
R80 (WS): p5, k1, p1, k1, p5, k1, [p5, k1, p1, k1, p5, k1], p5, k1, p1, k1, p5

R81 (RS): m1h, yo, k1, ssk, yo, ssk, p1, sl1wyib, p1, k2tog, yo, k2tog, k1, m1h, [p1, m1h, k1, ssk, yo, ssk, p1, sl1wyib, p1, k2tog, yo, k2tog, k1, m1h], p1, m1h, k1, ssk, yo, ssk, p1, sl1wyib, p1, k2tog, yo, k2tog, k1, yo, m1h (181sts)
R82 (WS): k1, p5, k1, p1, k1, p5, k1, [p5, k1, p1, k1, p5, k1], p5, k1, p1, k1, p5, k1

Starting from the next row pattern repeats from R27.
R83-138: as R27-82. Use the framed part of the chart to knit the repeating stripes of the lace.

Example:
R83 (RS): [p1, m1h, k1, ssk, yo, ssk, p1, sl1wyib, p1, k2tog, yo, k2tog, k1, m1h]x 3 times, p1
R84 (WS): k1, [p5, k1, p1, k1, p5, k1]x 3 times
R85 (RS): m1h, [p1, m1h, k1, ssk, yo, ssk, p1, sl1wyib, p1, k2tog, yo, k2tog, k1, m1h]x 3 times, p1, m1h (189sts)
R86 (WS): p1, k1, [p5, k1, p1, k1, p5, k1]x 3 times, p1. Continue in this manner.

At the end of R138 there have to be 293sts on the needles.
R139-194: as R83-138. 405sts on the needles.
Continue in this manner until almost all yarn is used. Remember to finish after completing the WS row.
Proceed to the Finishing Part.

BY THE CHART

R1 (RS): sl1wyif, k2; (R1 of pat; sl M, k1tbl, sl M)x 3 times, R1 of pat; k3. (21sts)
R2 (WS): sl1wyif, k2; (R2 of pat; sl M, p1tbl, sl M)x 3 times, R2 of pat; k3.

Continue in this manner until R82 of the chart. 181sts on the needles (for the row-by-row stitch count check the written instructions above).
Starting from the next row pattern repeats from R27.

R83-138: as R27-82. Use the framed part of the chart to knit the repeating stripes of the lace. 293sts on the needles.
R139- 194: as R83-138. 405sts on the needles.

Continue in this manner until almost all yarn is used. Remember to finish after completing the WS row.

FINISHING

Bind off on RS very (!) loosely: k1, (slip st back to left needle, k2tog tbl) until 1st is left.
Cut yarn leaving appr.8”/20cm tail and pull it through the loop of the last stitch.

Wash the shawl and block it into shape. Moderate stretching is recommended to open up the lace stripes.
(Optional) Make 2 tassels appr. 3”(7.5cm) long and secure them at the ends of the “wings”.
Weave in yarn ends.

This pattern has a page on Ravelry where you can get more inspiration and share your finished knits:

This Pattern on Ravelry

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