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Thursday, July 25, 2019

Valletta - new pattern, blocking video and how to make the shawl bigger or smaller


Valletta is a large, simple shawl perfect for wrapping yourself up in. Enjoy the relaxing rhythm of the garter stitch and the beautiful lace edging.



Valletta is knitted in two balls of Schoppel Zauberball 100 but you can use regular Zauberball or Zauberball Cotton if preferred. I have discounted kits available in a choice of colours here. Order by 1 August 2019 and your kit will ship in early August. 


Get 50% off the Valletta pattern until 15 September 2019. Use coupon code: VALLETTA50

We'll be having a knitalong (KAL) in the Love of Lace Knitting Facebook Group in August and September. Post a finished photo by end of September to qualify for the prize draw. 

If you're not on Facebook but use Instagram, use the hashtag #vallettakal and post a finished photo by end of September to qualify for a separate prize draw.



The shawl is made from two 100g balls (I used 175g in total) but it can easily be made smaller or larger. In this video I explain how to make it smaller or larger.



Before you start, weigh your yarn. The shawl consists of an increase section (Charts A and B -I'm referring to Charts but the pattern has charts and written instructions), a straight section (Chart C) and a decrease section (Charts B and D). 

For the increase section of the shawl (Chart A) you'll be increasing at the edge of the shawl (for the lace border) and in the garter stitch section for the body of the shawl. Once you reach the full width of the lace border, you will continue to increase inside the lace border until you reach the full depth of the shawl. If you want to make the shawl smaller work fewer repeats of Chart B and if you want to make it bigger, work more repeats of Chart B.

Once you've finished increasing, weigh your yarn and make a note of how much you've used. 

Then work Chart C which is the lace across the middle of the shawl. Chart C includes both the garter stitch chevron lace across the body of the shawl and the lace border (previously Charts A and B). To make Chart C work, you will need a total stitch count of (12) + 25. I had 121 stitches which is eight 12 stitch repeats plus 25 stitches. Deduct 12 stitches from or add 12 stitches to 121 to work out how many stitches will work with Chart C.

Weigh your yarn every time you've worked a 24 row repeat of Chart C and start decreasing when you have the same amount of yarn left as you used for the increase section. I recommend you add a little bit extra, just in case.

For the final section, decrease inside the lace border (Chart B) and then decrease the lace border too (Chart D). 

These instructions will probably make more sense if you already have the pattern to refer to. You can also use these instructions if you want to knit the shawl in a thicker or thinner yarn. Use a needle size that gives you the drape you want. Then use the instructions above to work out how to maximise your yarn amount.



In this video I show you how I blocked Valletta. 




I have a selection of kits available for pre-order. Order by 1 August 2019 and you kit will be shipped in early August. See the kits here.


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