The Design Concept For The Calyx Shawl Knitting Pattern: Boho-Inspired Lace + Tassels

I spent months strategizing, sketching, and sampling various lace combinations and shawl shapes to get The Calyx Shawl knitting pattern exactly how I wanted, and I'm beyond thrilled to finally release it! If you haven't already noticed, I have a bit of a thing for offsetting or juxtaposing various design elements; for example, The Posy Sweater was designed with a purposeful juxtaposition of a relaxed-fitted sweater with a super feminine ribbon keyhole detail. I love playing around with opposing elements in my designs, which is why for The Calyx Shawl, I combined the western-like style of tassels and an over-sized shape with pretty lacework details. For me, this contrast is one of the reasons that makes this shawl so striking!

The Calyx Shawl is a big square shawl that's dripping with gorgeous lacework and classic Estonian stitches, and has a western boho vibe to it that's still feminine and quite romantic..and, of course, tassels (one of my favorites!). Since I live in Colorado, I'm greatly inspired by nature, specifically the mountains, and I wanted this shawl to have a classic western twist to it, which is why I added tassels. There is absolutely no negative space in this shawl; rather, it is loaded up from tip to tip with beautiful lacework, that looks *way* more complicated to knit than it actually is. What results is a blanket-scarf-esque design that can be worn a variety of ways -- as a poncho, a shawl, a scarf, a cape, etc. 

More Details About The Calyx Shawl Knitting Pattern: Written Instructions + Chart

Within the digital PDF download for The Calyx Shawl knitting pattern, you'll gain access to a knitting chart plus the written instructions, helpful photo tutorials, a stitch glossary, a row-by-row stitch count, a schematic with measurements, links to helpful video tutorials, and more. Therefore, if you don't know how to read a knitting chart (or simply just don't prefer reading knitting charts), there are step-by-step written instructions for you to follow instead! That way, you get to choose how to knit your Calyx Shawl. When I surveyed some of my customers, a lot of them said they hate knitting charts, and a lot of them said they love knitting charts. So I just decided to include both options in my knitting patterns from here on out, so that you'll never have to worry! If, however, you want to work this pattern by reading the knitting chart, then I highly recommend printing the chart out and using this amazing tool which is a "Chart Keeper" to help keep you on track. It's just a little tip that I've found super useful over the years when working from a chart.

Additionally, there is a schematic with measurements, a photo tutorial, a stitch glossary (with written instructions on how to work certain stitches along with video links provided), a row-by-row stitch count, and all the attributes a knitting pattern ought to have. And don't forget about our Technical Support Team who is always around to help out with any technical issues you run into (e.g., trouble downloading the pattern, etc) and can always be reached via e-mail at [email protected].

And have you heard about our Learn page yet? It's an extensive free resource filled to the brim with information on stitches, reading knitting patterns, terms, schematics, and also filled with loads of photos and video tutorials for many stitches that are required by Darling Jadore patterns. No need to spend your hard-earned money on a book just to learn how to knit and helpful tips and tricks. Plus, who even has time to flip through a book?! We designed this digital resource to be user-friendly with a menu that you can click on and it will immediately direct you to the location you want to go in under one second. Want to learn how to Kfb? Click on "kfb" and at lightning speed, you're presented with photos, a video tutorial, and accompanying text to learn. We've also included other informative information like how to read a knitting pattern, common abbreviations, information on blocking, Sierra's top picks for starting a knitting tool kit, information on Continental-style knitting and more. The best part? We're continually updating and growing the content. And if you're wondering, yes we'll be launching a crochet "Learn" page soon too!

At Darling Jadore, we strive to create the highest quality patterns and videos, and all of our patterns are "live", meaning they are regularly updated and content (like more video tutorials) is continually being added to each pattern. To read more about how Darling Jadore patterns are different from other designers' patterns, you can check out our FAQ section here.

What's The Difficulty Level Of The Calyx Shawl Knitting Pattern? Can I Knit It?

The Calyx Shawl knitting pattern might look complicated and loaded with lacework, but don't be scared off by that -- it's actually rather simple to knit! If you've had some experience with lacework, then The Calyx Shawl knitting pattern will be a breeze for you. The lacework itself is rather basic, and consists of simple increases and decreases and a few other classic but easy Estonian lacework techniques -- all in all, it's a quick and easy knit that will keep you interested throughout making it. Additionally, the lacework is worked on only one side of the shawl, which makes it even easier. The knitting pattern includes a stitch glossary, which contains clear written descriptions of some of the stitches (in case you forget or want a brief explanation) and even links to videos on how to knit certain stitches required for the pattern in case you forget or are unfamiliar. You'll also have a row-by-row stitch count to make sure you're on track. Other than that, this shawl knitting pattern is a breeze to work through. You will knit the shawl on circular knitting needles, but will not be joining in the round. Instead, you will be knitting back and forth flat on circular needles to accommodate for the growing number of stitches as the shawl grows larger and larger. We also have a free "Learn" page on our website that's filled with step-by-step instructional photos and written text for all the basic stitches and techniques required by our knitting patterns that you can refer to at any time.

Even though I categorized the knitting pattern for The Calyx Shawl as being suitable for "intermediate knitters", if you're relatively new to knitting lace, you can still tackle The Calyx Shawl with a little patience and determination. Once you get the hang of it, The Calyx Shawl really does work up in no time, especially since the yarn is a thicker weight. The lacework is worked on only one side (the "right" side) of the shawl -- yes, you read that right! In my opinion, this makes knitting a lace shawl *way* easier. When I was gearing up for my fall designs, I talked to many people who exclusively knit shawls, and many of them mentioned to me that they will only knit a lace shawl if the lacework is worked on only one side of the shawl, so I really took that to heart. In my opinion, it would just be way too complicated and unnecessary if the lace was on both sides -- so for The Calyx Shawl knitting pattern, I designed it specially so that you only have to worry about working the simple lace on one side of the shawl! 

Ways To Style And Use The Calyx Shawl

As you can see from the photos, there's a variety of ways to wear and style The Calyx Shawl after you've finished knitting it. It can be worn as a regular scarf around your neck, which I think looks so cute with the tassels hanging down and a "bundled up" look which is so cozy and cute over a sweater or tucked into a coat. It can also be wrapped around your neck, almost like you'd wrap a triangle scarf around your neck, and have the big portion of the scarf in front. It can also be styled to look almost like a poncho or little cape or "capelet" by itself, where it's draped around your shoulders. This is how I wore it in the photos, and I prefer it best. It looks like a poncho/cape, and is super cute paired with jeans and boots during fall or winter. It's a real statement piece when it's worn this way.

The Calyx Shawl is incredibly versatile, which makes me love it that much more! As with many shawls, The Calyx Shawl can also be used as a decor piece, and I often drape my knitted shawls over a lounge chair or in a decorative bin or basket and nobody can tell that it's a shawl and not a throw blanket. I particularly love stowing away a shawl in my Belly Basket, and have it draping over the side. In fact, one of the ways I store knitted scarves or shawls is to use them as decor pieces throughout my home. Definitely recommend giving this little decor tip a try!

Accessing The Calyx Shawl Knitting Pattern (And All Darling Jadore Knitting Patterns): Retrieval, Downloading, Etc

Reselling From Patterns: Can I Sell My Finished Calyx Shawl?

Adapting The Calyx Shawl Knitting Pattern

One of my favorite things about following a knit or crochet pattern is the ability to adapt it to make the finished item my own. And I get tons of questions all the time with customers asking me different ways of adapting my patterns. Anywhere from changing the yarn, the needle or hook size, etc. So I wanted to briefly touch on the variety of ways to adapt The Calyx Shawl knitting pattern, if you want! While the work involved for each of my designs is very intensive (i.e., sketches, writing charts, calculating countless hours of math, measurements, gauge swatches, etc), I'm also so pleased when I see customers adapt my patterns to make the overall finished garment or accessory the one they truly love! I'm proud that my designs are not only user-friendly and easy to understand, but are also simple enough to adapt, if you want to change a few things up a bit.

With all Darling Jadore knit or crochet garments (i.e., sweaters, cardigans), I find it best to stick as closely to the gauge swatch, needle size, and yarn weight indicated within the pattern. But overall, as long as you meet the gauge swatch requirements, you're good to go. With scarves, shawls, and other accessories, however, there's a lot more room to change things up! For The Calyx Shawl knitting pattern, for example, you can use a lighter-weight yarn (e.g., DK-weight) and smaller-sized needles, and the shawl with therefore turn out smaller which would be great for summer or spring. You can also feel free to eliminate the tassels altogether and go for a more refined edge instead. And of course, with most Darling Jadore shawl or scarf patterns, you can stop the pattern short (in other words, eliminate some of the rows of the pattern) to make the overall size or length of the scarf or shawl smaller. There a numerous ways to adapt The Calyx Shawl knitting pattern to give the final shawl a more personal touch, and these are just a few examples.

While all the pattern PDFs contains all the instructions and information to make the exact design photographed, feel free to also play around with the pattern to create The Calyx Shawl exactly how you want it.