Channel your inner mermaid and take a trip under the sea with the Catching a Mermaid shawl pattern. Enjoy an unusual stitch pattern that mimics a mermaid’s scales, charming textures and simple lace. The shape is easy to style, draping elegantly across the shoulders and highlighting the graceful, wavy “mermaid’s tail” - which is also a favorite stitch pattern with many knitters!

Perfect for adventurous beginners and beyond, Catching a Mermaid offers an assortment of stitches that are all easy to learn and memorize. The pattern also makes it easy to enjoy the knitting experience because:

• The mix of texture and simple lace lets you enjoy different aspects of knitting while being straightforward enough for chatting or watching tv as you knit.

• The detailed pattern includes closeups of each stitch pattern and stitch counts every time there is a change, so you’ll always know you’re on track.

• The pattern includes charts as well as fully written-out instructions.

• Tips and links are provided for helpful techniques such as fixing a dropped edge stitch, placing “lifelines” to back you up in case you make a mistake, and more.

Approximate dimensions: Long sides: 60”/150 cm; wavy end: 38”/95 cm; drop: 21”/52.5 cm. The pattern includes specific instructions to increase the size of the shawl, if you like.
It is an asymmetrical triangle shape.

Gauge: 20 stitches and 26 rows to 4”/10 cm in stockinette stitch

Yarn: Fingering or sock yarn, approximately 125 - 150 grams/550 - 650 yards/500 - 600 meters.

Needles: US 8/5.0 mm and US 6/4.0 mm or size to obtain gauge plus 2 (US) sizes smaller. The shawl can be worked entirely on straight needles, but a circular needle of 40”/100 cm or longer will allow you to spread out the work as you go and be more comfortable.

Questions as you go? Designer email is in the pattern.

Thousands of knitters have used my patterns to make hats, sweaters, and shawls that they love, and I cannot wait to see yours. If you post pictures on social media, please tag me! @softyarndesigns

You can also find me on:

instagram.com/softyarndesigns/

facebook.com/softyarndesigns/

Happy knitting!

Lena

Thank you to tech editor Kephren Pritchett and fabulous test knitters Woolnlove, CollinViljoen, and spendakur.
If you might be interested in test knitting future patterns, please sign up for the Softyarn Designs newsletter, where I announce testing calls. Knitters of various experience levels are welcome to apply.