Shetland Fascinator is part of the Shetland Fusion e-book.

Pattern is both written and charted.

A couple of years ago I read this passage in a Piecework Magazine and the concept of the “fascinator“: intrigued me. This is my version of a modern Fascinator, sized for shoulders, not as a headpiece. I hope that this version tickles your fancy.

A fascinator is a light, soft head covering gathered in with tassels at both ends. Either of these coverings might be made from any type of fabric: woven, lace, netting, knitted, or crocheted. Knitted versions were made with lace- or fingering-weight yarn and large needles relative to yarn size (about 4 to 8 3.5–5 mm). Soft Clouds and Dreamy Veils: Lacy Head Coverings in Victorian Britain, Piecework Summer 2020

Shawl – the shawl as shown is a short almost fitted stole. It can be made longer by the knitting of an additional 12 row extender chart. Each chart repeat adds approx. 1.5 inches to the length of the stole, making it easily adjustable to any size.

Each repeat of the lengthening charts takes approx. 25 m of yarn.

The Fascinator pattern is knit in two pieces. Each piece starts with the beaded tassel. Once both halves are knit the shawl in grafted together in the middle. For a longer stole work the first half as written and then work the second half with the extra repeats of the extender chart.

Materials: Sample as shown was knit with Juniper Moon Findley.
Tassel - Approximately 20m lace weight yarn per tassel and 300 to 350 size 8/0 beads, 2.75mm US #2 dpn needles.
Shawl – approximately 750 to 800 m lace weight yarn, 3.5mm US #4 24-inch circ or straight needles, markers and the usual notions.

Gauge: After Stringent Blocking – 20 sts and 40 rows in a 4 in swatch

Size: Shown in Size Small with options to increase size in 1.5-inch increments for a perfect fit. Sizing is figured on width around shoulders when measured approx. 2 inches below shoulder line. Size shown is 43 inches long worn on a measurement of about 43 inches around.

Dimensions: After Stringent Blocking - 23 inches wide from side to side and 43 inches long excluding I-cord and tassel