Interstellar - Triangular Gradient Lace Shawl (knitting)

An elegant top-down triangular shawl inspired by constellations and nebulae: lightweight, drapey, and ideal for gradient or speckled fingering yarns. Worked from a garter-tab start into a central star-lace panel flanked by textured garter and gradual color shifts. Detailed, row-by-row instructions, full materials, gauge, finishing and stitch glossary included.

Finished dimensions

• Wingspan (edge to edge): 64" / 162 cm
• Depth (center point to top edge): 28" / 71 cm

Skill level

Intermediate. You should be comfortable with increases (M1), decreases (k2tog, ssk), yarnovers, reading short-repeat lace motifs, and basic chart/grid counting.

Materials

• Yarn: Fingering weight (4 ply) recommended. Sample uses a 3-skein gradient set: 3 x 100 g skeins (approx 400 yd / 366 m per skein) = total approx 1200 yd / 1098 m, total weight 300 g. Use either single continuous gradient skein or three coordinating skeins. Fiber: merino/wool blend recommended for stitch definition and gentle drape.
• Needles: US 6 (approx 4.0 mm) / UK (old) approx 5 / 4.0 mm circular needles 32" / 80 cm (for small circumference and to hold stitches as shawl grows). You may also hold a second needle in US 5 (3.75 mm) / UK approx 6 / 3.75 mm for a slightly firmer fabric; use whichever size gives gauge below. (Both sizes listed so you can swatch for preferred drape.)
• Notions: stitch marker (contrasting), tapestry needle, blocking pins/wires, waste yarn for provisional cast-on (optional), removable stitch marker to mark center stitch.

Gauge

Garter fabric: 18 sts and 36 rows = 4" (10 cm) measured across center garter zone in stockinette direction; lace will open more after blocking. Because shawl size is flexible, gauge is a guideline for fabric feel rather than exact sizing — if you like a lighter, lacy drape, go up a needle size; for denser fabric go down.

Abbreviations

• k = knit
• p = purl
• yo = yarn over
• k2tog = knit two together (right-leaning decrease)
• ssk = slip, slip, knit (left-leaning decrease)
• M1L = make one left (pick up strand from below, knit into back loop)
• M1R = make one right (pick up strand from below, knit normally)
• RS = right side, WS = wrong side
• st(s) = stitch(es)
• pm = place marker, sm = slip marker

Construction overview

Start with a garter tab (small wedge) to create a neat center point. Increase at two inner points each right side to form a triangular shape. A central 13-stitch star-lace panel runs up the center of the shawl; the remainder is garter stitch with patterned edge shaping to echo points. The pattern is worked flat on circular needles turning at each row.

Notes

• All RS rows are worked on the right side; all WS rows on wrong side. Where increases are called, they are placed symmetrically on both sides of the central panel unless otherwise stated.
• When using color changes, switch colors at the start of a WS row for a clean join, or carry color up the side if preferred.

Stitch counts

Pattern provides stitch counts at the end of key rows. Keep notes for your personal modifications; counts change with repeats.

Pattern

Cast-on and garter-tab start

Using provisional cast-on or regular cast-on, CO 3 sts.

1. Row 1 (RS): k across (3 sts).
2. Row 2 (WS): k1, pm, k1, pm, k1.
3. Repeat Rows 1-2 until tab measures approx 2" / 5 cm or about 8 ridges, ending after a WS row. Next row: knit across and pick up and knit 2 sts along long edge of tab; knit across picked-up sts to join to main piece. You should now have 7 sts total (3 original + 2 picked up + 2 edge joins). Place marker to mark the right-side border if you like.

Set-up increase row (first full RS)

RS: k1 (edge), M1R, k to 1 st before center marker, pm, k1 (center st), pm, k to last st, M1L, k1 (edge). This establishes the two increase lines that will form the triangle edges. You now increase on every RS row at these two points.

Establishing the central star-lace panel

Replace the single center stitch marker with a removable marker to mark the exact center stitch. The central lace panel uses a 13-st pattern width centered on that stitch: 6 sts to left, center st, 6 sts to right. When your shawl has enough stitches to accommodate the panel, transfer the 13 center sts into a reserved section and work the lace repeats within those 13 sts each RS and WS; increases continue outside the panel.

Center star-lace 13-st repeat (worked over 13 sts; these 13 sts always stay centered)

1. Row A (RS): k3, yo, ssk, k1 (center), k2tog, yo, k3.
2. Row B (WS): k across (or purl across if you prefer a purl back for lace definition). For this pattern garter-favorable look, purl across.
3. Row C (RS): k3, k2tog, yo, k1 (center), yo, ssk, k3.
4. Row D (WS): p13.
5. Repeat Rows A-D for the star motif. The pattern creates an open star when blocked; every four RS rows create a vertical diamond/star rhythm.

Note: On the RS, the center stitch is always worked as stated (k1) and flanked by symmetrical decreases and yarn overs to maintain the central spine.

Full-row guideline

On each RS row after the set-up, work as follows:

RS Row: k1 (edge), M1R, k to 7 sts left of center panel, (work garter edge or patterned edge repeats as desired), set aside: next 13 sts = center lace panel (work row of center pattern), then work symmetrical right side: k to last st - before right edge increases, M1L, k1 (edge).

WS Row: k across (if maintaining garter ridges outside lace) or purl across if you prefer smoothed back. To preserve garter ridge texture framing the lace, purl across every WS row across the center lace panel and knit the rest.

Edge options

You can keep the outer fabric in garter stitch (knit every RS and WS across the outer sections) or work a simple 4-row slipped stitch texture for a winged look. The sample uses garter-flanked lace for star emphasis.

Repeat and shaping

Continue increasing on every RS row (M1R and M1L) for a total of approx 120 RS increase rows or until wingspan is ~64" / 162 cm. Maintain center 13-st panel throughout as described. If you want a smaller shawl, stop earlier; if you want a larger stole, continue increasing until desired size or until yarn runs low—reserve ~20-25 yds / 18-23 m for bind-off and finishing.

Final border and bind-off

When the shawl reaches desired wingspan, work 4 RS rows without increases to form a short garter ridge before bind-off. Then bind off loosely in pattern (knit the knits, purl the purls across the edge) using a larger needle or a stretchy bind-off such as Jeny's Surprisingly Stretchy Bind-Off for a non-tight edge. We recommend using a needle one size larger than your working needle for the bind-off to avoid puckering.

Color and gradient suggestions

• Start with deepest color at the center point and rotate through lighter colors as you increase, or reverse for a haloed center. For stripes, change color at the start of a WS row and carry colors up the edge or weave in as you go.
• For a speckled nebula effect, alternate skeins or hold two strands for a short section for marling.

Blocking

1. Soak gently in lukewarm water with mild wool wash for 20 minutes. Press out water (do not wring); roll in towel to remove excess.
2. Lay flat and pin to measurement, gently stretching to open lace. Use blocking wires along the wings for a smooth straight edge. Pin out points if desired to create a star-like outline.
3. Dry completely (24-48 hours depending on environment).

Finishing

• Weave in ends with a tapestry needle; if color changes are frequent, weave ends into garter ridges for invisibility.
• Label your project with yarn, needle, and date; consider adding blocking measurements to the pattern notes.

Variations

• Make a mini version by stopping increases earlier for a neck kerchief: wingspan 36" / 91 cm.
• Add a beaded bind-off: place beads on every 4th edge st towards the final bind-off for a starry sparkle.
• Work the center 13-st panel as a chart. If you prefer charted lace, map Rows A-D into a 4-row chart repeated vertically.

Stitch glossary and tips

ssk: slip next two sts knitwise individually to right needle, insert left needle into fronts of slipped sts and knit them together through back loops to make a left-leaning decrease.
k2tog: knit next two sts together to make a right-leaning decrease.
M1R / M1L: pick up horizontal bar between stitches from front to back or back to front then knit through front or back loop to orient the lift so it leans outward from the center line; M1R leans right, M1L leans left.

Yarn and needle quick-reference

• Yarn: Fingering (4 ply) - sample uses 3 x 100 g skeins; per skein approx 400 yd / 366 m; total sample yardage approx 1200 yd / 1098 m; total weight 300 g.
• Needles: US 6 / UK (old) approx 5 / 4.0 mm circular 32" / 80 cm; optional US 5 / UK approx 6 / 3.75 mm for firmer gauge. Use larger needle for bind-off if needed.

Support and pattern use

If you have questions while knitting, or find an errata, email team@verde.uk. Pattern support and updates are available at https://purljam.verde.uk. Share progress with #purljam on socials.

Copyright and terms

This pattern 'Interstellar' is for personal use and small-scale sale of finished items only. Do not reproduce, distribute, or resell the pattern text. You may sell finished items made from this pattern with pattern credit: 'Interstellar by PurlJam - https://purljam.verde.uk'. For commercial pattern use contact team@verde.uk.

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