Smoke and Mirrors

DESCRIPTION

Smoke and Mirrors is an asymmetrical triangle-shaped shawl knit in three colors. Simple stitch patterns and textures play off of each other in this shawl made of straightforward visual elements that draw your attention every which way like a magician performing an illusion.

Pick two colors of smooth fingering-weight yarn: one for the main event and the other for a striking color pop. A complementary color in a fuzzy lace weight rounds out the trio.

The pattern is written with both metric and US terminology. Instructions for the lace pattern are presented both in charted as well as in row-by-row written format whereas instructions for the one-row stripes, two-color brioche, corrugated ribbing, and color blocks are given only in written format.

Smoke and Mirrors was originally is released as a five-part mystery shawl knitalong in April 2022.

Share your project on Instagram with the hashtags #smokeandmirrorsmkal and #talviknits.

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

• Wingspan: approx. 215 cm / 85"
• Depth: approx. 70 cm / 27"

MATERIALS

Yarn

• Yarn A: Louhittaren Luola Luonnotar (100% superwash merino, 400 m/100 g, 444 yd/3.53 oz), 1 skein in the colorway Suru
• Yarn B: Louhittaren Luola Luonnotar (100% superwash merino, 400 m/100 g, 444 yd/3.53 oz), 1 skein in the colorway Valaan laulu
• Yarn C: Louhittaren Luola Röyhetyinen (72% kid mohair, 28% silk, 420 m/50 g, 464 yd/1.76 oz), 1 skein in the colorway Platina

Or

• Yarn A: Smooth fingering-weight yarn, such as wool, wool/silk, or wool/nylon blend, approx. 400 m / 440 yd
• Yarn B: Smooth fingering-weight yarn, such as wool, wool/silk, or wool/nylon blend, approx. 320 m / 350 yd
• Yarn C: Fluffy lace-weight yarn, such as mohair, silk/mohair blend, or brushed alpaca, approx. 340 m / 370 yd

Needles

• Main needle: 3.5 mm / US #4 long (80–100 cm / 32–40”) circular needle or size needed to obtain gauge
• Smaller needle: 3.0 mm / US #2½ long circular needle or 0.5–1.0 mm / 1–2 sizes down from your main needle
• Larger needle: 4.0 mm / US #6 long circular needle or 0.5–1.0 mm / 1–2 sizes up from your main needle
• Spare needle: 2.25–2.5 mm / US #1–1½ very long (100–150 cm / 40–60") circular needle or considerably smaller than your main needle

Notions

• 1 removable stitch marker
• Darning needle

GAUGE

• 24 sts × 34 rows = 10 cm / 4” in stockinette using Yarn A and the main needle, blocked
• 20 sts × 50 rows = 10 cm / 4" in two-color brioche using Yarns A and C and the smaller needle, blocked
• 18 sts × 26 rows = 10 cm / 4" in lace using Yarn C and the larger needle, blocked

Gauge is independent of suggested needle size. Obtaining an exact gauge is not required but differences in gauge will affect finished size and yarn usage.

TECHNIQUES USED

The pattern uses the following techniques: two-color brioche, picking up stitches, lace, and the Icelandic bind-off. Ability to work lace from a chart is recommended but written instructions are also provided for the lace pattern. Instructions for the stripe patterns and two-color brioche are given only in written format.

REFERENCES

• 5 Ways to Carry Yarn Up the Side of the Work
• Two-color Brioche, Continental Style
• Two-color Brioche, English Style
• Icelandic Bind-off
• Applied i-cord Edging