Marjie is a trapezoid shawl, knitted from the bottom up that was originally published in 52 Weeks of Shawls by Laine Publishing. I wanted to get away from the idea of lace always having to be knitted in fine yarns which gives it a traditional or heirloom feel, so instead I chose a DK weight yarn for Marjie meaning it can be worn as an everyday piece.

At its centre Marjie features a panel of what I ‘dipped cluster stitches’ which combine multiple yarn overs with placed decreases and the result is an undulating crochet like stitch that’s really satisfying to knit.

The stepped side wings are knitted in rows of giant eyelets alternated with garter stitch ridges and as they’re shaped on the go, there’s no extra finishing to do once you’ve cast off the shawl. The dipped cluster technique is intended to be a challenge; albeit an enjoyable one. To help, I’ve added a link to my YouTube channel in the pattern instructions where you’ll find a tutorial showing exactly how it’s done.

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Width at Cast-On edge: 43.5” / 110 cm.

Width at Bind-Off edge: 67” / 170 cm.

Depth at centre of Dipped Lace panel: 20” / 51 cm. 

Depth on Spot Lace wing (from CO to BO edges): 19.5” / 49 cm.

This design can easily be made longer by knitting extra repeats but remember, you’ll need more yarn for this.

MATERIALS

Yarn: You’ll need approx 950 yds / 870 m of DK weight yarn. Samples shown were knitting in DK Sock by The Mimo Yarn Co (75% Merino wool, 25% nylon, 225 m / 246 yds – 100 g), colourway Sloan (red) and Plummer (purple).

Note: The Dipped Cluster Stitch is made by working a series of elongated yarn overs which may take some getting used to since it uses more yarn than a regular lace type stitch. You may want to add an extra 10% to the yardage to account for this.

Needles: US 7 / 4.5 mm 60” / 150 cm circular needles.

Notions: Stitch markers, tapestry needle.

GAUGE

20 sts x 32 rows to 4” / 10 cm in Spot Lace st, after blocking.

23 sts x 31 rows to 4” / 10 cm in Dipped Lace Cluster st, after blocking.

One repeat of Dipped Lace Cluster chart measures 5” / 13 cm wide, after blocking.