Tornved

Tornved Shawl by Karina Westermann

What is Being Made

The Tornved is a top-down knitted shawl designed by Karina Westermann. This elegant accessory is crafted from a single skein of hand-dyed sock yarn, making it an efficient and beautiful project. The finished shawl measures approximately 140 cm by 54 cm (55 inches by 21 inches), providing a generous triangular or crescent-shaped wrap suitable for layering or draping.

Knitting Techniques

The Tornved shawl employs a top-down construction method, which allows knitters to begin at the neck or shoulder area and work downward to the finished edge. This approach offers flexibility in sizing and the ability to bind off when desired yarn length is reached. The pattern combines two primary stitch techniques to create visual interest and showcase the beautiful hand-dyed yarn.

The design features stocking stitch sections that highlight the yarn's color variations and hand-dyed characteristics. These smooth, classic stockinette areas provide a clean canvas for the yarn's natural beauty. Complementing these solid sections are easy lace sections that flow seamlessly from one shape to another, adding delicate texture and an openwork element to the shawl.

Stitches Used

• Stocking stitch (stockinette stitch) for the main body sections
• Lace stitches for decorative openwork sections
• Provisional cast-on (optional method for beginning the project)

Optional Embellishments

The pattern offers optional beading details using size 6 seed beads, which can be applied using a 0.75mm crochet hook for attaching beads to the finished knitted fabric. This embellishment is entirely optional and allows knitters to customize their shawl.

Materials and Specifications

Yarn: Approximately 400 yards of fingering weight or 4-ply yarn. The pattern was designed and photographed using one skein of Old Maiden Aunt Merino Superwash 4ply in the colorway Berry Good, though any suitable hand-dyed sock yarn or 4-ply yarn can be substituted.

Needles and Tools:

• 4mm (US size 6, UK size 8) circular needle, minimum 60 cm (24 inches) in length
• 0.75mm crochet hook (optional, for attaching seed beads if desired)
• 4mm crochet hook (optional, for provisional cast-on method)
• Stitch markers (optional, for tracking pattern repeats)
• Scrap yarn in contrasting color (optional, for provisional cast-on)

Gauge and Difficulty

The pattern is rated as intermediate difficulty, making it suitable for knitters with some experience beyond absolute beginner level. The gauge is 20 stitches and 35 rows measured over 4 inches of blocked stocking stitch when worked in the specified yarn and needle size. The pattern notes that exact gauge is not crucial for this design, offering flexibility for different yarn choices.

Design Characteristics

The Tornved shawl showcases the versatility of hand-dyed sock yarn through its thoughtful combination of solid and lace sections. The stocking stitch areas allow the yarn's color variations to take center stage, while the flowing lace sections add movement and visual complexity. The top-down construction and generous finished dimensions make this shawl a practical yet elegant accessory suitable for various occasions and styling options.