Mrs. Howell & the Moon Garden

Mrs. Howell & the Moon Garden Knitted Shawl

Project Overview

Mrs. Howell & the Moon Garden is an intermediate-level knitted shawl designed by Carolyn Macpherson. This downloadable PDF pattern draws inspiration from childhood memories and the rich Kashmir shawls of the Regency Era, combining romantic design elements with accessible modern knitting techniques. The shawl features a relaxing knit experience suitable for knitters looking to expand their skills beyond basic stockinette stitch.

What Is Being Made

This pattern creates a generous stole-style shawl with significant dimensions. The unblocked finished measurements are 24 inches wide by 56 inches long, while the blocked finished measurements expand to 22 inches wide by 76 inches long, making it a versatile accessory suitable for draping across shoulders or wearing as a decorative wrap.

Knitting Techniques and Stitches

The shawl is designed as an introduction to mosaic knitting, a technique that creates complex colorwork patterns without the complexity of traditional fair isle or stranded colorwork. The pattern incorporates easy lace panels alongside the mosaic sections, allowing knitters to develop skills in both techniques within a single project. The base construction uses stockinette stitch, which provides a smooth canvas for the patterned sections. Colors are strategically mirrored within the design, creating visual balance and symmetry throughout the shawl.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The pattern calls for Debbie Bliss Fine Donegal yarn, a premium blend consisting of 95% merino wool and 5% cashmere. This yarn weight is classified as 4-ply, providing excellent stitch definition for the mosaic and lace work. Each 100-gram skein yields 415 yards (380 meters). The shawl requires three colors from the Debbie Bliss Fine Donegal line:

• Colour 1: Teal (015) – 1 ball
• Colour 2: Flint (26) – 1 ball
• Colour 3: Soft Grey (03) – 1 ball

The combination of merino and cashmere creates a soft, luxurious fabric with excellent drape, ideal for a shawl that will be worn close to the skin.

Tools and Notions

This pattern is worked flat on US 6 (4 mm) circular needles measuring 24 inches (60 cm). Circular needles are used despite flat construction, as they accommodate the width of the shawl comfortably. Additional notions include stitch markers (optional) and a tapestry needle for weaving in ends and any finishing work.

Gauge and Sizing

The pattern specifies a gauge of 20 stitches and 32 rows equaling 4 inches (10 cm) in stockinette stitch. Achieving proper gauge is essential for obtaining the correct finished dimensions, particularly given the significant difference between unblocked and blocked measurements. Blocking plays an important role in opening up the lace sections and achieving the full length of 76 inches.

Skill Level and Pattern Structure

Rated as intermediate difficulty, this pattern assumes knitters have mastered basic techniques including cast-on, stockinette stitch, and bind-off methods. The step-by-step mosaic panels guide knitters through the colorwork process in a manageable way, making this an excellent project for those seeking to develop mosaic knitting skills. The pattern includes a glossary of abbreviations and skills reference, supporting knitters throughout the construction process.