Charlize
Charlize
Charlize is an elegant yet modern, crescent-shaped shawlette that knits up beautifully in both semisolid and variegated yarns and can be worn casually or formally. Worked from the top center and outward to the ruffled edging, the lace portion is simple enough for someone new to lace, while engaging enough for experienced lace knitters looking for a quick, fun knit. The rapid rate of increasing gives this unique accessory enough length to be worn as a scarf and also creates a curved shape that will wrap easily around the shoulders when worn as a shawl.
What other knitters have said
“I highly recommend the Charlize pattern—it’s well written, and Vanessa gives great support. I love the finished shawl—it’s something I actually wear, and I’m not (in the past) a shawl sort of person. It fits great around my shoulders, and the ends are long enough to secure the shawl without a pin. I’ve gotten tons of compliments.”
“This has turned out much lovelier than I had hoped. Has a fresh modern feel, drapes beautifully and the tighter neckline (because of rapid # of stitch increases) means it sits nicely over the shoulders without bunching up. Yarn was perfect for the project. I will definitely be making more of these . . .”
“Lovely pattern, well written directions! I love this shawl!! I’m wimpy when it comes to knitting lace shawls, but it was so enjoyable and I absolutely love the FO!”
“I really like this pattern. It is very well put together, easy to understand and follow. I rated it as medium difficulty only because it’s easy to make a mistake on the repeats of chart A if you’re not paying attention..not the pattern’s fault, just user error..ask me how I know..tink, tink ;) Anyway, easy knit and the ribbed edge is great for tv watching :)”
The Knitty-Gritty
Sizes
Small lace with large ruffle (Large lace with small ruffle)
Finished Measurements
Both sizes approximately 66” (168 cm) along top edge and 10” (25 cm) deep at center, after blocking
Yarn
375 (440) yards / 343 (402) meters fingering weight yarn
Green shawl (small lace with large ruffle) pictured used a plied, merino/cashmere/nylon blend, fingering weight yarn.
Burgundy shawl (large lace with small ruffle) pictured used a single-ply, merino, fingering weight yarn.
Needles
US 6 (4 mm) circular needle, 32” (80 cm) or longer
Gauge
20 sts and 32.5 rows = 4” (10 cm) in k4, p2 rib, unblocked
Getting exact gauge is not critical, but it will affect the amount of yarn needed for your shawl.
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Sacha is the triangular interpretation of Charlize. Worked as a classic triangle from the top center and outward to the ruffled edging, the lace portion is intuitive yet simple, with each shawl half being complete mirror images of one another. Its large wingspan drapes beautifully around the neck or shoulders of its wearer & adds a touch of elegance to any outfit.
Xenia is a generously sized, crescent shaped shawl that can be worn casually or for evenings out on the town in your favorite little black dress. With its ability to be worn in many ways, this shawl is sure to become a favorite in your personal knitwear wardrobe or to make a great gift for a shawl‑loving friend.
The shawl’s body features a simple horizontal ridge detail to lend visual interest to an otherwise stockinette fabric. A beautifully scalloped knitted-on border adds an elegant finishing touch. Instructions are provided for making this shawl with one or two colors.
A yarn crawl. A dyer’s trunk show. A generous hand reaching back to pull out a second skein just for me.
That’s how Indira began.
I walked into the first yarn shop of my day looking for something I wasn't even sure existed yet—the perfect yarn for a cable and lace shawl pattern I’d been sketching and swatching in other yarns that weren’t quite right. I grabbed what I thought was the last skein of a striking, plum-colored fingering weight yarn and two coordinating skeins of mohair/silk lace, and I started talking to an indie dyer who was having a trunk show there. She looked at the yarns in my hands and said, “Those are perfect together.”
I told her I thought so too but, sadly, the shop only had one skein of the fingering weight.
She reached back behind her table, pulled out a second skein of the same yarn that she’d set aside for herself, and handed it to me. “You clearly love the color and have a project in mind. Take it.”
That moment made my entire day. I left that shop knowing I’d found the right combination, and I knew exactly what it was for. My dream shawl.
It became my travel project. I worked on it during lunch breaks at work, at my first trunk show as a designer, throughout that memorable trip to Victoria that sparked the Aslyn hat pattern, even by flashlight during a power outage that lasted a few days. It was the project I was making when I hit 1,000 Instagram followers. And it was the pattern I was working on publishing when a season of unexpected grief and loss met my family.
All those moments—the in-between times, the pockets of creativity, the milestones, the memories—they’re woven into this shawl.