Aloha Shawlette and Shawl

Aloha Shawlette and Shawl by Michele Bernstein

What Is Being Made

The Aloha Shawlette and Shawl collection features two coordinating knit designs inspired by Hawaiian themes and tropical imagery. The Aloha Shawlette is a smaller, heart-shaped accessory, while the Aloha Shawl is a full-sized version of the same design. Both pieces evoke the warmth and beauty of Hawaii through color and decorative elements, making them versatile additions to any knitter's wardrobe.

Design Features

Both the shawlette and shawl showcase distinctive design elements that celebrate tropical aesthetics:

• Alternating rainbow and seafoam stripes that create visual interest and movement throughout the piece
• A repeating lei motif of flowers or shells worked into the fabric, adding textural and visual detail
• A knit-on lace edging that frames the piece with delicate, openwork detailing

Knitting Techniques and Stitches

This intermediate-level knitting project employs several techniques to achieve its finished aesthetic. The design incorporates stockinette stitch as the primary fabric base, providing a smooth, classic canvas for the colorwork. Striping is achieved through alternating two coordinating yarn colors—the main color and contrast color—creating the distinctive rainbow and seafoam stripe pattern. The lei motif is worked as a repeating decorative element, likely using increases, decreases, or specialty stitches to create the flower or shell shapes. The knit-on lace edging is worked directly onto the finished shawl using openwork techniques, adding an elegant finishing touch to the perimeter.

Yarn and Materials

Both versions are designed to work with fingering-weight yarn, specifically showcased in Stitchjones Pai Mei Sock (70% superwash merino, 20% bamboo, 10% nylon; 100g/450 yards). The yarn composition provides durability, softness, and easy care through the merino and bamboo blend, with nylon adding strength.

The Aloha Shawlette requires two 50-gram skeins of coordinating or contrasting colors, using approximately 175 yards of main color and 200 yards of contrast color. The sample features Warm Sand as the main color and Rainbow Shave Ice as the contrast.

The Aloha Shawl (full-sized version) requires two 100-gram skeins, using approximately 350 yards of main color and 300 yards of contrast color, allowing for a larger finished piece.

Needles and Gauge

The pattern calls for US #6 (4 mm) circular needles in either 24-inch length for the shawlette or 30-inch length for the full-sized shawl, or the size needed to achieve the specified gauge. The gauge is 22 stitches over 4 inches in stockinette stitch before blocking, which should be checked before beginning to ensure proper finished dimensions.

Difficulty Level

Rated as intermediate, this pattern is suitable for knitters with some experience. The combination of color work, shaping, and lace edging techniques requires solid foundational skills, though the repeating motifs and straightforward construction make it accessible to those ready to expand their abilities.