La Belle Dame Sans Merci Wrap Knitting Pattern

Inspired by La Belle Dame Sans Merci by John Keats, Jill Bickers created this sampler stole!

An impossibly beautiful fairy woman, a lovesick knight, hopeless love— how can you get more romantic than that?

La Belle Dame Sans Merci by John Keats inspired this pattern. It also inspired many artists, including John Waterhouse, whose painting included elements I drew on in this pattern.

This shawl blends three lace motifs, separated by rows of eyelets. It is worked in two halves, which are joined together at the back of the neck.

Yarn

Life in the Long Grass Hinterland (75% BFL, 25% Gotland wool; 382 yds [350 m]/100 g): Color Dusk Rose 3 skeins. See notes.

Needle/Hook

Two sets of Size US 4 (3.75mm) needles, straight or 24" (60 cm) OR 32” (81 cm) circulars. See Notes.

Or size needed to obtain gauge

Gauge

21.5 sts and 29 rows = 4" [10cm] in St st after blocking.

Edge Patt: 19.5 sts and 40 rows = 4" [10cm] after blocking

1 Heart Patt repeat is approximately 5.25” [13.25 cm] wide and 2.75” [7 cm] high after blocking.

1 Leaf Patt repeat is approximately 3.5” [9 cm] wide and 2.25” [5.75 cm] high after blocking.

Size

 91” [231 cm] long and 16” [41 cm] wide. See Notes for suggestions on altering the length of the piece.

Notions

Tapestry needle, stitch markers. Recommended: stitch holders or barber cord.

designed by Jill Bickers