Anna, a devine lace shawl!

I love lace knitting and when I see certain designs that call to me personally, I have to share them with others.  One such design is the Anna Shawl, an exquisite lace design created by Franklin Habit that he dedicated to his Mother.

When I first saw this design, I’m not sure if it was the color of the yarn that Frankin chose or the lace pattern , I just knew I had to have it!  I believe that the color of the yarn you choose for lace knitting is very important, and Franklin’s design once again tells me that choosing the appropriate color is very important when it comes to lacework.  Let’s face it, you don’t want to detract from the elegance of your lace stitches by using busy colors.

Franklin has used short rows to shape the top portion of this shawl, giving the wearer  a smooth and flawless drape.  While this shawl gives the look of complex lace, Franklin chose a very simple star stitch pattern for the top portion that is seamlessly followed by very elegant stitch design that is then edged in garter stitch to match the top.

This project will require two skeins of Cascade Yarns Heritage Silk, a lovely and soft blend of  85% merino wool and 15% silk in the colorway Italian Plum,  a size US 3 (3.25mm) circular needle, stitch markers and a tapestry needle for weaving in ends.  Franklin provides very easy to follow written instructions for the top portion of the shawl and uses a chart for the lace border.  Please note while I always encourage knitters to spread their wings and grow in their knitting, this design is for those who understand lacework and charts.

The finished size of this shawl will measure approximately 54 inches wide by 24 inches deep, after gently blocking.

This pattern can be purchased online at Ravelry.  Be sure to check out Franklin’s other designs that have been inspired by the women in his life, which include:

• Sahar, a gorgeous lace stole
• Giovannina, a lace stole designed for Skacel and inspired by his maternal Grandmother.
• Pauline, a lace stole published in St-Denis Magazine Issue 3 and inspired by his Grandmother.

Photos © F. Habit. Used with permission

Photos © F. Habit. Used with permission

About: Franklin Habit is a Chicago-based knitter and artist, and the author of It Itches: A Stash of Knitting Cartoons (Interweave Press).  His writing, illustrations and photography have been featured in magazines such as Knitty, Interweave Knits, Vogue Knitting, Interweave Crochet, and Twist Collective, as well as several books. He is a sought-after teacher and speaker, and has a popular blog, The Panopticon.

Until next time, happy knitting, crocheting, spinning and crafting!