


Aster | Asymmetrical Lace Shawl
Design Information
The Aster Shawl is named for the Carolina Aster flower that is often found throughout the lowcountry, particularly Charleston. The purple blooms arrive late in the season and often grow and lean vertically. The lace pattern used in the Aster Shawl perfectly mimics the growing pattern.
The Aster Shawl is an asymmetrical shawl that is worked flat from the upper right point to the opposite side. The lace pattern is worked from either the chart or the written instructions. Once the shawl has been knit to the specified dimensions, all stitches are bound off, and the edges are wet-blocked with blocking wires to help the stitch pattern open up, the yarn to bloom, and create straight and crisp edges.
The samples are knit with Purl Soho Linen Quill, a 50% Fine Highland Wool, 35% Alpaca, 15% Linen fingering-weight yarn that is perfect for three-season wear.
Please share your progress on Instagram by tagging me @kirstenjoel_designs and using the hashtags #astershawlkjd. I love to see all of your works in progress and finished projects!
Design Information
The Aster Shawl is named for the Carolina Aster flower that is often found throughout the lowcountry, particularly Charleston. The purple blooms arrive late in the season and often grow and lean vertically. The lace pattern used in the Aster Shawl perfectly mimics the growing pattern.
The Aster Shawl is an asymmetrical shawl that is worked flat from the upper right point to the opposite side. The lace pattern is worked from either the chart or the written instructions. Once the shawl has been knit to the specified dimensions, all stitches are bound off, and the edges are wet-blocked with blocking wires to help the stitch pattern open up, the yarn to bloom, and create straight and crisp edges.
The samples are knit with Purl Soho Linen Quill, a 50% Fine Highland Wool, 35% Alpaca, 15% Linen fingering-weight yarn that is perfect for three-season wear.
Please share your progress on Instagram by tagging me @kirstenjoel_designs and using the hashtags #astershawlkjd. I love to see all of your works in progress and finished projects!
Finished Measurements
75” wingspan by 36.5” deep
Note: this may vary depending on how aggressively you block your cowl, gauge, and blocking method.
Yarn
Purl Soho Linen Quill - fingering weight; 50% Fine Highland Wool, 35% Alpaca, 15% Linen; 439 yards / 100 g; photographed in Kiln Red (burnt orange sample) and Crocus Bud (purple sample), 2 skeins, or 856 yards fingering weight yarn.
Substitution notes: Look for a fingering-weight wool blend yarn with a bit of halo for a similar look to the sample.
Gauge
20 sts and 30 rows = 4” / 10 cm over Aster Lace Stitch Pattern with gauge needles, blocked
Needles
US 5 / 3.75 mm, 24” / 60 cm circular needles, or size to obtain gauge
Note: circular needles are recommended to accommodate the large number of stitches. The shawl is worked back & forth in rows.
Tools
Tapestry needle, locking stitch marker (optional), blocking wires, blocking pins