Elska

Introducing Elska, the final addition to the beautiful ‘sisters’ shawls collection, each honoring one of my mother’s beloved siblings. The name Elska, meaning "love" in Icelandic, perfectly encapsulates the warmth and sentiment behind this stunning shawl, designed with both beauty and practicality in mind. This sideways shawl features intricate beaded lace, making it an enchanting piece that not only showcases your knitting skills but is also a meaningful keepsake.

The Elska shawl is specially crafted to help you maximize the use of your yarn skein. Start by weighing your yarn at the beginning of the project, and then follow the pattern to increase your stitches until you reach the halfway mark. After that, you’ll elegantly decrease, creating a lovely gradient effect. This technique ensures that you use most, if not all, of your yarn, reducing waste while crafting a stunning accessory that can be worn on any occasion.

Finished Size: The Elska shawl measures approximately 33 inches deep and 72 inches wide, unblocked. Please note that the final dimensions may vary based on your wet blocking technique and the tenacity with which you block your finished piece, allowing you to personalize its look even further.

Yarn Details: For this project, we recommend using Dragonfly Fibers Squishy Lace, composed of 100% Superwash Merino. This luxurious yarn boasts 870 yards per 4 ounces, providing plenty of material to create your Elska shawl (the sample was knit in the lovely Mossy Bank colorway).

Needle Information: You’ll need a 24-inch circular needle in size 5 US (3.75 mm) or a size that helps you achieve the desired gauge. Note that gauge matters for the overall drape of your shawl, but it’s not critical for this pattern.

Gauge: The project has a gauge of 24 stitches and 26 rows per 4 inches in unblocked stockinette. While gauge isn't a strict requirement, it may influence the drape and total amount of yarn used.

Optional Supplies: To enhance the visual appeal of your Elska shawl, consider adding beads—10 beads in size 6/0 per repeat, totaling 270 beads for the entire shawl as shown. A size 12/1.00mm crochet hook will also be handy for bead placement.

For our sample, we used just 815 yards of yarn. Embrace the gift of crafting and create the Elska shawl as a loving tribute to the cherished bonds of sisterhood, or keep it as a luxurious addition to your own wardrobe. Happy knitting!