purlJam

<pattern>

# HEAVENLY BLESSING CHRISTENING SHAWL

A delicate circular lace shawl knitted from the center out, perfect for a baby's christening or blessing ceremony. This beginner-friendly pattern features simple eyelet lace and achieves a 120cm (47") diameter when blocked, large enough to become a cherished family heirloom.

## MATERIALS

**Yarn**: DK weight merino wool, approximately 1200-1400 yards (1100-1280 meters)
- Suggested: Cascade 220 Superwash Merino, Malabrigo Rios, or similar DK weight merino
- Sample shown in white/cream

**Needles**: 
- US 6 (4mm) circular needle, 32" (80cm) or longer (for magic loop method)
- OR US 6 (4mm) double-pointed needles for beginning rounds, then switch to circular
- US 7 (4.5mm) circular needle for bind-off

**Notions**:
- 8 stitch markers (one in different color for beginning of round)
- Tapestry needle
- Blocking wires or pins

## GAUGE

22 stitches and 32 rounds = 4" (10cm) in stockinette stitch in the round, unblocked

**Gauge is important for size!** Check your gauge before beginning. After blocking, shawl will expand approximately 20-25%.

## FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Approximately 120cm (47") diameter after blocking

## ABBREVIATIONS

- k = knit
- p = purl
- yo = yarn over
- k2tog = knit 2 stitches together (right-leaning decrease)
- ssk = slip, slip, knit (left-leaning decrease): slip 2 stitches knitwise one at a time, insert left needle into front of these stitches and knit together
- pm = place marker
- sm = slip marker
- BOR = beginning of round
- st(s) = stitch(es)
- () = repeat instructions within parentheses as directed
- [ ] = stitch count at end of round

## PATTERN NOTES

1. **Construction**: Shawl is worked in the round from the center outward. No seaming required.

2. **Stitch Markers**: Place 8 markers to divide the work into 8 equal sections. Use a different color marker for the beginning of round.

3. **Increases**: Increases are worked every other round. On increase rounds, you will add 8 stitches total (1 stitch in each of the 8 sections).

4. **Lace Pattern**: The lace pattern maintains the stitch count because every yarn over (yo) is balanced by a decrease (k2tog or ssk).

5. **Stitch Count**: A stitch count is provided at the end of every round in [brackets]. Use these to verify your work.

6. **Rounds**: The pattern gives explicit instructions for the first 40 rounds, then establishes the repeating pattern. Continue the established pattern to desired size.

7. **Turning Chain**: This pattern works in continuous rounds - do not turn work.

## INSTRUCTIONS

**Setup**:
Using the long-tail cast-on method, cast on 8 stitches. Divide evenly on DPNs or use magic loop method. Join to work in the round, being careful not to twist stitches. Place marker (different color) for BOR.

**Round 1** (setup markers): K1, pm, k1, pm, k1, pm, k1, pm, k1, pm, k1, pm, k1, pm, k1, pm. [8 sts total, 1 st per section]

**Round 2** (increase): (Yo, k1, sm) 8 times. [16 sts total, 2 sts per section]

**Round 3**: Knit all stitches, slipping markers. [16 sts]

**Round 4** (increase): (Yo, k to marker, sm) 8 times. [24 sts total, 3 sts per section]

**Round 5**: Knit all stitches, slipping markers. [24 sts]

**Round 6** (increase): (Yo, k to marker, sm) 8 times. [32 sts total, 4 sts per section]

**Round 7**: Knit all stitches, slipping markers. [32 sts]

**Round 8** (increase): (Yo, k to marker, sm) 8 times. [40 sts total, 5 sts per section]

**Round 9**: Knit all stitches, slipping markers. [40 sts]

**Round 10** (increase): (Yo, k to marker, sm) 8 times. [48 sts total, 6 sts per section]

**Round 11**: Knit all stitches, slipping markers. [48 sts]

**Round 12** (increase): (Yo, k to marker, sm) 8 times. [56 sts total, 7 sts per section]

**Round 13**: Purl all stitches, slipping markers. [56 sts]

**Round 14** (increase): (Yo, k to marker, sm) 8 times. [64 sts total, 8 sts per section]

**Round 15**: Purl all stitches, slipping markers. [64 sts]

**BEGIN LACE PATTERN**:
*Note: From this point, continue increasing every other round as established, while incorporating lace pattern.*

**Round 16** (increase): (Yo, k to marker, sm) 8 times. [72 sts total, 9 sts per section]

**Round 17** (lace): (K1, yo, ssk, k to 3 sts before marker, k2tog, yo, k1, sm) 8 times. [72 sts - stitch count maintained]

**Round 18** (increase): (Yo, k to marker, sm) 8 times. [80 sts total, 10 sts per section]

**Round 19**: Knit all stitches, slipping markers. [80 sts]

**Round 20** (increase): (Yo, k to marker, sm) 8 times. [88 sts total, 11 sts per section]

**Round 21** (lace): (K2, yo, ssk, k to 4 sts before marker, k2tog, yo, k2, sm) 8 times. [88 sts]

**Round 22** (increase): (Yo, k to marker, sm) 8 times. [96 sts total, 12 sts per section]

**Round 23**: Knit all stitches, slipping markers. [96 sts]

**Round 24** (increase): (Yo, k to marker, sm) 8 times. [104 sts total, 13 sts per section]

**Round 25** (lace): (K3, yo, ssk, k to 5 sts before marker, k2tog, yo, k3, sm) 8 times. [104 sts]

**Round 26** (increase): (Yo, k to marker, sm) 8 times. [112 sts total, 14 sts per section]

**Round 27**: Knit all stitches, slipping markers. [112 sts]

**Round 28** (increase): (Yo, k to marker, sm) 8 times. [120 sts total, 15 sts per section]

**Round 29** (lace): (K4, yo, ssk, k to 6 sts before marker, k2tog, yo, k4, sm) 8 times. [120 sts]

**Round 30** (increase): (Yo, k to marker, sm) 8 times. [128 sts total, 16 sts per section]

**Round 31**: Purl all stitches, slipping markers. [128 sts]

**Round 32** (increase): (Yo, k to marker, sm) 8 times. [136 sts total, 17 sts per section]

**Round 33** (lace): (K5, yo, ssk, k to 7 sts before marker, k2tog, yo, k5, sm) 8 times. [136 sts]

**Round 34** (increase): (Yo, k to marker, sm) 8 times. [144 sts total, 18 sts per section]

**Round 35**: Knit all stitches, slipping markers. [144 sts]

**Round 36** (increase): (Yo, k to marker, sm) 8 times. [152 sts total, 19 sts per section]

**Round 37** (lace): (K6, yo, ssk, k to 8 sts before marker, k2tog, yo, k6, sm) 8 times. [152 sts]

**Round 38** (increase): (Yo, k to marker, sm) 8 times. [160 sts total, 20 sts per section]

**Round 39**: Knit all stitches, slipping markers. [160 sts]

**Round 40** (increase): (Yo, k to marker, sm) 8 times. [168 sts total, 21 sts per section]

**ESTABLISHED PATTERN**:
You have now established the pattern rhythm. Continue as follows:

**Pattern Repeat** (work Rounds 1-8 repeatedly):
- **Round 1** (lace): (K to 3 sts after marker, yo, ssk, k to 3 sts before next marker, k2tog, yo, sm) 8 times. [Stitch count maintained]
- **Round 2** (increase): (Yo, k to marker, sm) 8 times. [8 sts increased]
- **Round 3**: Knit all stitches, slipping markers. [Stitch count maintained]
- **Round 4** (increase): (Yo, k to marker, sm) 8 times. [8 sts increased]
- **Round 5** (lace): (K to 3 sts after marker, yo, ssk, k to 3 sts before next marker, k2tog, yo, sm) 8 times. [Stitch count maintained]
- **Round 6** (increase): (Yo, k to marker, sm) 8 times. [8 sts increased]
- **Round 7**: Knit all stitches, slipping markers. [Stitch count maintained]
- **Round 8** (increase): (Yo, k to marker, sm) 8 times. [8 sts increased]

**Every 16 rounds**, work a purl round instead of Round 3 or Round 7 to create a subtle texture ridge.

**Continue** working the 8-round pattern repeat until shawl measures approximately 55cm (21.5") from center to edge, OR until you have approximately 120 stitches per section (960 stitches total).

**Stitch Count Reference**:
- After 80 rounds: approximately 328 sts total (41 sts per section)
- After 120 rounds: approximately 488 sts total (61 sts per section)
- After 160 rounds: approximately 648 sts total (81 sts per section)
- After 200 rounds: approximately 808 sts total (101 sts per section)
- After 240 rounds: approximately 968 sts total (121 sts per section)

**BORDER**:
When shawl reaches desired size (approximately 240 rounds or 968 stitches total):

**Round 1**: Knit all stitches, slipping markers.

**Round 2**: Purl all stitches, slipping markers.

**Round 3**: Knit all stitches, slipping markers.

**Round 4**: Purl all stitches, slipping markers.

**Round 5**: Knit all stitches, slipping markers.

**BIND OFF**:
Using US 7 (4.5mm) needle, bind off all stitches VERY LOOSELY using the following method:
K2, *slip these 2 stitches back to left needle, k2tog through back loop, k1; repeat from * until all stitches are bound off. Cut yarn and pull through last stitch.

## FINISHING

1. **Weave in ends**: Use tapestry needle to weave in cast-on tail and bind-off tail securely on wrong side of work.

2. **Blocking** (essential for lace): 
   - Soak shawl in cool water with wool