Bay Panel Shawl

Our objective for the The Bay Panel Shawl was to create a versatile and distinctive wardrobe piece. It incorporates alternating panels of linen stitch, brioche stitch, and garter stitch, framed by a moss stitch border.

The dimensions of the garment allow it to be worn either as a shawl or as a cosy scarf. It can also be worn in reverse, offering two options for the dominant colour.

The shawl is designed to accommodate yarns from different sources and of varying fibre compositions. This provides an excellent opportunity to curate a personalised colour scheme.

The reference to “Panel” in the shawl’s name reflects one of the inspirations behind its design: tukutuku panels, a traditional Māori art form cused to decorate the interiors of meeting houses. The name also alludes to “The Bay”, or Hawke’s Bay (New Zealand), where the design was developed.

Note: If you want to experiment with a similar smaller project you can also check out our "Bay Panel Cowl".

Difficulty Level

Intermediate

Sizing:

The shawl has approximate dimensions of 150 cm x 40 cm (59 inches x 15 ¾ inches). The dimensions will vary depending on the yarns selected and their gauge. Some variation in the dimensions is acceptable for a shawl.

Yarn and Approximate Yardage:

The shawl is comprised of 4 different yarns.

The design is intended to allow for each knitter to add their own creativity. So, feel free to mix yarns of different fibre types and from different suppliers.

Yarn 1 (Cream in example) 540 m (590 yards)

Choose a soft and cosy 8 ply merino yarn recommended for 4mm (US size 6) needles. The yarn used in the example is

Touch Yarns Pure Merino 8ply, approximately 100 m per 50 g (shade 455 ‘Oatmeal’).

Yarn 2 (Charcoal in example) 120 m (130 yards)

Choose a 4ply yarn that when held together as two strands has a similar gauge to that of Yarn 1. Note that the gauge only needs to be approximately similar, as the pattern is reasonably forgiving to some variation in gauge. The yarn used in the photographed shawl is Mrs Peacock Yarns Serpentine 4ply 100% Merino, 338 m per 100 g (colourway ‘Eclipse’).

Yarn 3 (Rust in example) 500 m (550 yards)

Choose a 4ply yarn. Preferably the yarn will have a narrow and smooth (rather than ‘fluffy’) construction to allow for the contrasting stitches at the back of the brioche panel to show through on the right side of the shawl. The yarn used in the photographed shawl is Prosper Yarn Chuffed 90/10 Merino/Linen 4ply (colourway ‘Hoodoo’), approximately 366 m per 100 g,

Yarn 4 (Cream in example) 200 m (220 yards)

Choose a yarn that is half the weight of Yarn 1 and the same colour as Yarn 1. The yarn used in the photographed shawl is Touch Yarns Pure Merino 4ply, approximately 225 m per 50 g, (shade 455 ‘Oatmeal’).

Needles:

Although the shawl is worked in the flat, given its wide width the following circular needles are selected:

• 4 mm (US 6) circular needles with a long cable of, say, 80 cm.