Zelda Shawl

Zelda Shawl by Jemima Bicknell

What is Being Made

The Zelda Shawl is a triangular knitted shawl inspired by 1920s glamour and named after Zelda Fitzgerald, "the first American flapper." This advanced-level knitting project features a simple beaded body that flows into a heavily beaded, Art Deco-inspired lace edging, combining elegant simplicity with ornate detailing for a sophisticated accessory with vintage appeal.

Garment Specifications

This shawl is offered in two sizes to suit different preferences:

• Small size: Requires approximately 400 meters (440 yards) of laceweight yarn
• Large size: Requires approximately 600 meters (660 yards) of laceweight yarn

Knitting Techniques Used

The Zelda Shawl employs several advanced knitting techniques characteristic of lace shawl construction. The shawl is worked down and out from a garter stitch tab, a common method for triangular shawl construction that begins with a small foundation and expands outward. The pattern incorporates beading techniques throughout, with beads integrated into the knitted fabric to create decorative embellishment. The main body features a beaded pattern section, while the edging showcases a heavily beaded lace design with Art Deco styling, requiring careful attention to bead placement and pattern execution.

Stitches and Pattern Elements

This advanced pattern utilizes lace stitches presented in chart form, allowing for the creation of openwork sections characteristic of lace shawls. The pattern includes garter stitch for the foundational tab and incorporates a main bead pattern that is measured at a gauge of 29 stitches and 37 rows to 10 centimeters (4 inches). The heavily beaded lace edging features Art Deco-inspired motifs, suggesting the use of yarn overs, decreases, and other lace-making stitches combined with strategic bead placement.

Materials and Tools Required

Yarn: Laceweight yarn in either of two silk options is recommended. For the small size, the pattern was shown in Knitwitches Seriously Gorgeous Swiss Silk 2ply Laceweight (100% silk, 600 meters per 100 grams) in Black. For the large size, the pattern features BC Garn Jaipur Fino (2ply laceweight, 100% silk, 600 meters per 100 grams) in Pale Gold, shade h69. Both options are 100% silk, providing the delicate drape and lustrous finish appropriate for a glamorous vintage-inspired shawl.

Needles and Tools: Knitters will need 3.25mm (US 3) needles or the size required to obtain the specified gauge, along with 2 stitch markers for pattern tracking. A 0.6mm (US 14) crochet hook is essential for the beading process, allowing precise placement of seed beads throughout the shawl.

Beads: The project requires approximately 50 grams of 9/0 Rocailles seed beads for the small size or 100 grams for the large size, providing the ornamental embellishment that defines the shawl's Art Deco aesthetic.

Difficulty Level

This is an advanced knitting project suitable for experienced knitters. The combination of laceweight yarn, intricate lace stitch patterns, precise gauge requirements, and integrated beading techniques demands strong foundational knitting skills, comfort reading charts, and experience with delicate yarn handling.