Nuit d'etoiles

Tilted rows and a lustrous yarn transform a common lace pattern into swaths of shimmering stars. Mirroring the subtle asymmetry of its namesake song, written by Claude Debussy, this swinging top-down crescent shawl utilizes short rows to shape alternating bands of garter stitch and lace into widening curves, dramatically balancing the piece off-center. Simultaneous with the short rows, lace patterning is worked on both right and wrong sides, making Nuit d’etoiles a challenge worthy of the virtuosic knitter. Raw edges and a plain bind-off reinforce the shawl’s understated look.

Pattern has been tech edited and tested.

Yarn: Malabrigo Silkpaca (lace; 70% baby alpaca, 30% mulberry silk; 420yd/50g): Pearl Ten, 3 hanks

Needles: One 60” circular needle, US 3 (3.25 mm) Or size to obtain gauge

Notions: Flexible blocking wires, blocking mats and rustproof pins, tapestry needle

Notes: A small number of stitches is cast on at the top corner of the shawl, which increases rapidly; short rows place more increases along one edge than the other, creating the asymmetrical shape.
The lace stitch requires patterning to be worked on both right and wrong sides.
Lace is charted only.