Indira
Indira
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.
What makes Indira special?
Starts small, builds gradually — Indira begins with just a few stitches, giving you space to get into a groove before the fabric expands. You're never overwhelmed; the pattern grows with you.
Cables with rhythm — The double-braided cable keeps your hands engaged without constant stitch counting. You get into a flow.
Lace with real breathability — The simple allover lace made up of yarn overs and slipped stitches create pockets of openness in the fabric. It's a warm hug, not a weighted blanket.
Fisherman’s rib that’s plush — Indira ends with a section of fisherman’s rib, a texture that has the depth and richness of brioche but with the added bonus of being simpler and more intuitive to knit. It’s squishy and soothing under your fingers.
Asymmetry with intention — Short-row shaping creates a tapered edge that looks polished and finished. That’s what gives Indira her distinctive asymmetrical shape.
One size, adaptable design — The pattern includes tips for modifying the overall size and the depth of the edging, so you can make it exactly what you need.
💡 Love the stitch patterns but want something quicker to knit and easier to wear every day? The Indira Cowl and Indira Mitts use the same cables, lace, and fisherman’s rib in a smaller, pull-on-and-go format.
Testermonials
“This was the first time for me to hold 2 yarns together, knit fisherman’s rib, and knit a cable! I thought your instruction was awesome and basically perfect! Your design ideas and execution are clever and striking, as always.”
“Seriously Vanessa this test was a BREEZE and so incredibly well written. The shawl has a wonderful shape and wears beautifully. I’m not just saying this it is my new favorite and I have knit A LOT of shawls lol”
“I am wearing my Indira shawl to work and around and it is the squooshiest fabric, I love how comfortable and elegant it is! I will definitely make it again :)”
What’s included?
In the downloadable PDF, you’ll find . . .
Clear step-by-step instructions, both written and charted
Tips for tracking the cable and lace stitch patterns as you work
A 4-row repeat tracker to keep your place
Size modification notes to help adjust the overall width or the edging depth to fit your preferences
Detailed explanations for working the short rows
Wrap yourself in texture.
The Knitty-Gritty
Description
Indira is an elegant, asymmetrical shawl featuring a unique double-braided cable, simple allover lace, and luxurious fisherman’s rib. The shawl is worked primarily on the bias, beginning with just a few stitches and gradually increased to the shawl’s full depth before the edging is worked. Short-row shaping is used to achieve the edging’s tapered appearance. The resulting generous wingspan offers the perfect amount of warmth and styling opportunities.
Sizes
One Size
Finished Measurements
Approximately 85” (216 cm) wide and 20” (51 cm) deep
Shawl size is easily modified, as noted in the pattern.
Yarn
Approximately 920 yards (841 meters) of each a smooth, plied fingering weight yarn and a lace weight mohair blend.
Shawl pictured used 2 skeins each of the following yarns held together:
Boss Kitty Cats Cradle - Solid fingering weight; 75% superwash merino, 25% nylon in colorway ‘Murder Mittens’
Jorstad Creek Isle of Skye lace weight; 70% superkid mohair, 30% mulberry silk in colorway ‘Lady Mary’
Needles
US 6 (4 mm) circular needle, 32” (80 cm) or longer
Gauge
22 sts and 30 rows = 4” (10 cm) in stockinette stitch, unblocked
Getting exact gauge is not critical, but it will affect the amount of yarn needed for your shawl.
Notions
(1) Stitch marker
Cable needle
Tapestry needle
Ready to cast on?
Buy it on Ravelry.
