Knitting The Plant Lady Shawl ~ A Pattern Design Diary
- Sönna Schuttner
- Mar 30
- 5 min read
Updated: 6 days ago
There’s something special about knitting a shawl that carries meaning beyond the stitches—one that weaves together inspiration, intention, and a touch of everyday magic. The Plant Lady Shawl knitting pattern was born from a love of the quiet, unassuming plants that grow at our feet. These plants are often overlooked yet full of strength and beauty. In this design diary, I’m sharing the journey behind the pattern, including my yarn choices and the unique bottom-up construction. I’ll also provide helpful resources to guide your own making.
The Plant Lady Shawl Knitting Pattern: Embrace Inspiration and Craft
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The Inspiration for the Plant Lady Shawl Knitting Pattern
The Plant Lady Shawl draws inspiration from flora that often goes unnoticed. Its delicate lace details echo the intricate beauty of these everyday plants. Each stitch represents a tiny tribute to the life surrounding us, creating a connection between nature and craftsmanship.
The Construction & Deets of the Shawl
The Plant Lady Shawl features a unique bottom-up construction. This design includes the Plant Lady Leaf and Twig Lace pattern, which was created for the Plant Lady Cowl. The triangle shape is formed through decreases on the outer edges and along the spine. Twisted stitch lace adorns the cast-on edges along the bottom.
This construction does require casting on a significant number of stitches. Okay, maybe I'm exaggerating a bit when I say it's approximately 854,264,236 stitches, but it does feel that way! However, don’t let the cast-on intimidate you.
The pattern simplifies this process. An estimated yardage for the long tail cast-on is provided, so you won’t run out of yarn ten stitches from the end. Additionally, the pattern advises placing markers in key locations. These markers not only help keep track of stitch counts but also assist in setting up the lace repeats.
With each row, the rows grow shorter as progress is made. I don’t know about you, but when I start a project, I’m always excited and eager to see it take shape. However, fatigue can set in around the 700-yard mark. Thankfully, with the Plant Lady Shawl, the decreasing rows lead to a fast finish!
This photo may not be an Instagram-perfect flat lay, but it illustrates how those rows get shorter as you approach the bind-off stage:
Choosing the Perfect Yarn for Your Shawl
When selecting yarn for your knitting project, consider that the appeal of the Plant Lady Shawl lies in its delicate lace and elegant drape. A well-chosen yarn enhances these qualities, allowing the intricate stitchwork to shine through.
Bad Sheep Yarn Kits
I collaborated with Bad Sheep Yarn to craft this pattern. They offer gorgeous kits that simplify your yarn selection process. These kits feature superwash wool blends that bloom beautifully when blocked. This property helps the lace open up and settle into a stunning final shape. Plus, the curated colorways complement the design without overwhelming the delicate stitch work. Don’t forget to use code SDK10 to save 10%!
Fiber Matters
If you prefer choosing your yarn, reflect on the fiber content. Mulberry silk blends provide an elegant sheen and fluid drape, making them luxurious for this pattern. Superwash wool (like those in the kits) relaxes and grows with blocking, producing an airy, ethereal effect. Natural fibers are ideal since they retain their blocked shape, ensuring the lacework remains crisp and defined.
Other Yarn Options
You could also explore the following alternatives:
Madelinetosh Tosh Merino Light – This beautifully hand-dyed, single-ply merino features a soft halo that enhances the lace. Available at most Local Yarn Shops.
Knit Picks Stroll – This budget-friendly, versatile option offers excellent stitch definition and a wide range of colors.
Choosing Colors
Since the lace in this pattern is intricate, avoid high-contrast variegated yarns, as they can compete with your knitwork. Opt for tonal or lightly speckled yarns to showcase the design beautifully without distraction.
No matter which yarn you choose, it’ll be pure magic to witness your Plant Lady Shawl bloom into its final form!
Pattern Support and Resources
The Plant Lady Shawl is recognized as an intermediate-level pattern, and here's why: The twisted lace requires purling through the back loop. This technique can be a bit fiddly, even for seasoned knitters. Additionally, this pattern calls for multiple skeins and recommends hand-dyed yarn. Therefore, managing changes in skeins is essential to avoid visible shifts in the fabric.
One unique element is its bottom-up construction. The shawl finishes at the top center, and to bind off while maintaining the garter ridge border, a Reverse Garter Ridge Tab is used. There is also the long cast-on to consider!
While these elements might seem daunting, I assure you they are absolutely doable! I've provided ample pattern support for all the tricky parts.
Working With Hand-Dyed Yarn
Since hand-dyed yarns naturally vary—even within the same dye pan—it’s best to alternate skeins every two rows. This will ensure a seamless blend. For more information on this technique, see my post on Alternating Hand-Dyed Skeins for a Smooth Edge.
Finishing Techniques
The Plant Lady Shawl is crafted bottom-up, utilizing centered and edge decreases, and finishes with a Reverse Garter Ridge Tab for a polished top edge. You'll love how magical this technique is—it's quite unique and easy to master! Written instructions are included in the pattern, but if you lean toward visual learning, check out my step-by-step photo and video tutorial on the SDK Blog: Knitting a Reverse Garter Ridge Tab.
Blocking for Definition
Blocking is crucial for achieving the desired look. To exaggerate the lace motifs, I aggressively blocked my Plant Lady Shawl. This technique allows the yarn overs to open fully, highlighting the beautiful twisted stitches. I recommend wet blocking your project, as the soaking and stretching significantly transform the fabric. For additional guidance, see my step-by-step visual tutorial on Wet Blocking 101.
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Download your copy of the Plant Lady Shawl Knitting Pattern
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Happy Making! ~Sönna
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