A Garden Wedding
A Garden Wedding
This is the epic heirloom project you’ve been waiting for.
My sister Jenni’s sewing projects are elaborate. Think lush velvet renaissance gowns, extravagant silk tailcoats and bustled wedding dresses. So when she told me she was getting married I knew the clothes would be incredible, and, after sewing my own embellished bridesmaid gown, I set about designing an elegant shawl to complete the look. I collaborated with Gauge Dye Works to make yarn with a stunning blue gradient and floral pink that perfectly matches the embroidery on my dress and reflects the floral garden theme of Jenni’s wedding. When you wrap this exquisite heirloom around your shoulders, you’ll feel the cozy sense of accomplishment that comes from knitting something spectacular.
Get the yarn specially created for this pattern by Catherine at Gauge Dye Works.
THIS IS A PDF KNITTING PATTERN. PRICES ARE IN USD.
“All the time you take to explain the pattern up front is awesome and I love things like printing instructions. I love the details that you always include about working with Gauge Dye Works wool as well. I have knit a ton of your collaborations already and love every single one. The patterns are unique, engaging and the wool is always amazing.” -- Natalie
Sizes & Finished Dimensions
Small Version(Large Version)
Wingspan:
58(74) in/147.5(188) cm
Yarn
Yarn quantities are approximate.
Small Version(Large Version)
Main Colour (Blue Gradient): 800(1200) yd /732(1100) m Worsted weight yarn
Contrast Colour 1 (Flowers Gradient): 75(100) yd /70(92) m Worsted weight yarn
Contrast Colour 2 (Leaves): 20(30) yd /18(27) m Worsted weight yarn
Shown in Gauge Dye Works Merino Worsted CLASSIC (100% superwash Merino wool; small skein: 215 yd/197 m per 115 g/4 oz skein; large skein: 323 yd/296 m per 170g/6 oz skein)
1 Small or Large Garden Wedding Shawl Set
Blocked Gauge
Gauge measurement should be taken after blocking.
22 sts/29 rows = 4 in/10 cm in Cable-and-Lace Pattern and Colourwork motif
Needles
Needle Sizes are recommendations only. Always use needle size necessary to obtain gauge.
Suggested Size US 7/4.5 mm needles
Notions
cable needle, tapestry needle, stitch markers, blocking wires, pins, and pinnable surface
Skills
Working cables, lace and colourwork from charts, increasing on RS and WS rows, working colourwork on both RS and WS rows (knitting and purling in colourwork).
I consider this an advanced level pattern.
Tutorials
How to catch colourwork floats on right side and wrong side rows: andrearangel.com/tutorial-blog/2017/6/6/catching-floats-in-colorwork
Working cables without a cable needle: andrearangel.com/tutorial-blog/cabling-without-a-cable-needle
Knitting colourwork with two hands: andrearangel.com/tutorial-blog/2019/4/23/knitting-colorwork-with-two-hands
Pattern Notes
Shawl is a modified triangle worked from the top centre out, beginning with a garter tab.
The cable, lace, and colourwork motifs are charted only. There are no line-by-line written instructions.
The colourwork is worked back and forth in rows, not in the round, so purling in colourwork is necessary.
FAQ
Should I knit the small or large shawl?
If you want a big kerchief-style wrap, the small shawl is perfect. The larger version covers my arms to my wrists if I drape it around my shoulders and I’m about 5’5”/165 cm tall. See the photos labeled large version and small version to see what this looks like.
Are there written line-by-line instructions or just charts?
The cable, lace, and colourwork motifs are charted only, not written. I worked hard to make the charts amazing to work with, so much so that my first preview tester Laura sent me an email that said, “Wow. Best. Charts. Ever.”
Are there tutorial videos to help me?
See Tutorials above for videos on knitting colourwork, catching floats, and cabling without a cable needle.
How hard are the cables, lace, and colourwork? Can I do it?
Having motifs that are both cables and lace at the same time makes the pattern spicy, but my testers told me it’s really fun and I found it to be engaging. Be prepared for it to be slower than working plain Stockinette because this kind of glamour isn’t quick. If you’re familiar with cables, lace, and colourwork, this project will be excellent practice to improve your skills. Here are ten ways I made this pattern enjoyable to make.
Can I substitute a different yarn?
Catherine at Gauge Dye Works created the gradient sets for this pattern to be a perfect match. The pattern includes information on using the Gauge Dye Works yarn or another yarn that works with the given gauge. If you want to substitute, choose a tightly-plied worsted spun yarn with a nice round shape to make your cables and lace pop. I recommend wool.
Can I get a discount?
I offer an introductory discount to my email list subscribers for the first week of a launch, so sign up here. If that period has passed, you can still get a smaller discount just by being a new subscriber or wait for my summer or winter sales (which you’ll find out about by being a subscriber.)
Are there any other colour options from Gauge Dye Works?
This pattern was inspired by the bridesmaid gown I sewed for my sister’s wedding, so we’ve started with just the one colourway for now. Here’s my blog post about my inspiration.