Beloved Ghost Shawl

The patterns I write draw inspiration from many sources, but this is the first one that started life as a song. I love Taylor Swift’s Tortured Poet’s Department and when I saw this combination of colors in Knitting Lizard Fibers’ collection celebrating the album, I knew that they belonged together–a ghostly, plush and lacy fade. Knit in single-color brioche, this winged half-circle will wrap around your shoulders or settle comfortably around your neck. It’s lightweight, easy to wear, and easy to pack up for all your adventures. 

The spiritual (and spirited) successor to the Bloomfield Shawl, this lacy brioche shawl is an invitation to play. The pattern is easy to adapt—it’s simple to make it smaller or larger as your yarn and inclinations dictate. You can use the three-color option I wrote here, or make it with one, two, or twenty. Use up an advent fade. Treat yourself to some new colors or go diving in your yarn collection to find the perfect collection.

**Finished measurements**

78” [198 cm] wingspan

20” [51 cm] center depth

**Yarn**

Knitting Lizard Fibers Merino Twist Sock (85% Superwash Merino, 15% Nylon) 394 yards [360 meters] / 3.5 oz [100g] in “Mine,” “Finance Guy,” and “Typewriter”

Color A (Mine) 200 yards / 183 meters

Color B (Finance Guy) 390 yards / 357 meters

Color C (Typewriter) 390 yards / 357 meters

**Needles** 

US 6 / 4.0 mm 40” / 100 cm or longer circular needle

**Notions**

2 stitch markers, one locking stitch marker or progress keeper (optional, but helpful)

**Gauge**

16 sts x 48 rows = 4“ / 10 cm in brioche stitch pattern (brk, sl1yo) after blocking. Note: since the shawl is worked entirely in brioche stitch, the row gauge can be difficult to count. Each knit “V” represents 2 rows in pattern.