Forest Spirit by Lesley Anne Robinson

Forest Spirit

Knitting
October 2023
Light Fingering ?
16 stitches and 25 rows = 4 inches
in even two-color brioche stitch knit flat (taken after blocking).
US 4 - 3.5 mm
931 yards (851 m)
One size: 58” / 147 cm wingspan and 32” / 81 cm deep, measured after blocking.
English
This pattern is available for $8.00 USD buy it now

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Forest Spirit : An asymmetrical triangle shawl knit using two-color brioche, inspired by the Scottish Highlands and the Monarch of the Glen, the spirit of the forest. Do you see the Stag faces?

I was completely inspired by Red Stag Fibre for this shawl. I wanted to create Stag faces within the two-color brioche, embodying the spirit of the forest. Red Stag Fibre gains their inspiration for their colors from the Scottish Highlands, and other parts of Europe. I was also inspired a bit by Princess Mononoke, a film by Hayao Miyazaki of Studio Ghibli.

Grab two colors of a light fingering weight yarn for this graphic two-color brioche shawl! I recommend choosing yarns that are complimentary in color to make a statement. I chose semi-solid colors for my shawl, but feel free to use speckled or variegated yarns for yours. Brioche is a fantastic way to showcase one-of-a-kind skeins of artisan dyed yarns! Also keep in mind that Estate Fingering is a light fingering weight yarn, so be sure to check the yardage / meterage of your skeins before casting on.

See last photo here for my yarn in skein form. Two-color brioche almost creates a brand new color and is completely reversible!

Skill Level:
Intermediate. I recommend previous brioche experience before knitting this shawl pattern.

Techniques used:
knit, purl, brioche knit (brk), brioche purl (brp), brioche increases and decreases, Twisted German Cast On, Elastic Bind Off, asymmetrical triangle shawl shaping.

Video Tutorials:
Br4st Dec: https://bit.ly/Br4stDec

Construction Notes:
This asymmetrical triangle shawl is one of my absolute favorite shawl shapes, both to knit and wear! It is begun with very few stitches and then 2 stitches are increased at the left edge every Main Side row to create a beautiful shape. The Stag pattern grows as the shawl does, increasing in number across the shawl itself. Once you get to the border, the Stag faces will shrink and you will end with a dramatic scalloped border edge before binding off.

This shawl shape is my favorite! I love wearing mine wrapped around my neck kerchief-style, with the bottom of the triangle facing down. I’ve designed it so that the Stags face front when you wear it this way. You can also wrap it around your neck and shoulders for a daring accessory!

This pattern is both written and charted for your convenience.

» One Size:
58” / 147 cm wingspan and 32” / 81 cm deep, measured after blocking.

» Gauge:
16 sts and 25 rows = 4” / 10 cm; measured in even two-color brioche stitch knit flat (taken after blocking).

MATERIALS:

» Yarn: Light Fingering / Sock weight
931 yds / 850 m
Main Color (MC): 474 yds / 433 m
Contrast Color (CC): 457 yds / 417 m

» Shown in: Red Stag Fibre Estate Fingering (100% Superwash Merino; 491 yds / 448 m per 100 g)
MC: 1 skein in William of Orange (rusty orange)
CC: 1 skein in Isle of Harris (green)

» Needles:
32” / 81 cm long US 4 / 3.5 mm circular needles

Circular needles are used to accommodate a large number of stitches and for two-color brioche knitting. Adjust needle size as needed to obtain proper gauge.

» Tools:
11 stitch markers for noting pattern repeats, split ring or locking marker for decreasing brioche stitches, tapestry needle for weaving in ends, row counter or your preferred method of keeping track of pattern, locking stitch marker for noting Main Side of work (optional)

Many thanks again to Red Stag Fibre for the pattern inspiration!! Thank you to my tech editor Chaitanya Muralidhara (@beginswithac) for all her help in editing my pattern!! Also a HUGE thank you to all my Patrons and test knitters for their help in testing out this pattern!! Be sure to check out their projects for some serious color inspiration!!