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# Willow Triangle — A Beginner's Lace Shawl

A gentle introduction to lace knitting, the Willow Triangle is a classic top-down triangular shawl worked in cosy worsted-weight yarn. Tidy i-cord edges frame a soft garter stitch body, finishing with a row of simple eyelets that bloom beautifully after blocking.

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## Skill Level
Beginner

## Finished Measurements (after blocking)
- **Wingspan:** approx. 150 cm (59 in)
- **Depth at centre:** approx. 75 cm (29½ in)

## Materials

- **Yarn:** Worsted weight (CYC 4 / Aran), approx. 400 g / 800 m (875 yds) in a single colour. A smooth, lightly plied wool or wool-blend shows the lace best.
- **Needles:** 5 mm (US 8) circular needle, 80–100 cm cable length. A long cable is required to accommodate the final stitch count.
- **Notions:** 4 stitch markers (optional), tapestry needle, blocking pins/wires, foam blocking mats or a clean towel-covered surface.

## Tension (Gauge)
18 sts × 36 rows = 10 cm (4 in) over garter stitch, after blocking, on 5 mm needles.

Tension is not critical for fit, but it will affect the finished size and yarn quantity.

## Abbreviations (UK)
- **k** – knit
- **p** – purl
- **st(s)** – stitch(es)
- **yo** – yarn over (wrap yarn around needle to create a new stitch / eyelet)
- **k2tog** – knit two stitches together (one stitch decreased)
- **kfb** – knit into the front and back of the same stitch (one stitch increased)
- **sl1 wyif** – slip one stitch purlwise with yarn held in front
- **RS / WS** – right side / wrong side

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## Construction Notes

The shawl begins with a small garter tab cast-on which forms a neat top edge. Stitches are then increased on every right-side row at four points: just after the i-cord edge, on either side of the centre spine, and just before the i-cord edge. This produces a balanced triangle.

The **i-cord edge** is created simply by slipping the first 3 stitches of every row with yarn in front, and knitting the last 3 stitches of every row. There is nothing fancy to learn — just remember: *slip 3, knit 3*.

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## Garter Tab Cast-On

1. Cast on **3 sts** using a long-tail or knitted cast-on.
2. Knit **6 rows** in garter stitch (creating 3 garter ridges).
3. Without turning, rotate the work 90° clockwise. Pick up and knit **3 sts** along the long edge of the strip (one st in each garter ridge).
4. Rotate 90° again and pick up and knit **1 st** from each of the **3 cast-on sts** along the bottom edge.

You now have **7 sts** on the needle: 3 (right edge) + 1 (centre spine) + 3 (left edge).

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## Set-Up Row (WS)
**Row 1 (WS):** Sl1 wyif, k6. *(7 sts)*

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## Body — Increase Section

The shawl grows by **4 sts every RS row**. WS rows are worked plain.

**Row 2 (RS — increase row):** Sl1 wyif, k2, yo, k1, yo, k1 (centre spine), yo, k1, yo, k3. *(11 sts)*

**Row 3 (WS):** Sl1 wyif, knit to last 3 sts, k3. *(11 sts)*

**Row 4 (RS — increase row):** Sl1 wyif, k2, yo, knit to 1 st before centre st, yo, k1 (centre spine), yo, knit to last 3 sts, yo, k3. *(15 sts)*

**Row 5 (WS):** Sl1 wyif, knit to last 3 sts, k3.

*Tip — finding the centre stitch:* place a removable marker in the centre stitch and move it up every few rows. The centre stitch always has a yo on each side of it on increase rows.

**Repeat Rows 4 and 5** until you have completed **60 increase repeats in total** (counting Row 2 as the first repeat).

**Stitch count check:** 7 + (60 × 4) = **247 sts**.

Finish with a completed WS row. Work measures approximately 65 cm (25½ in) deep before blocking.

> *Want a smaller or larger shawl?* Each additional pair of rows adds 4 sts and roughly 1 cm of depth. Just stop on a WS row at the size you like — ensure your final stitch count is **an odd number divisible by 4 plus 3**, i.e. (4n + 3), so the lace border lines up. 247 = (4 × 61) + 3 ✓.

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## Simple Lace Border

A single eyelet row is all that's needed for a delicate lace edge.

**Border Row 1 (RS):** Sl1 wyif, k2, *yo, k2tog*; repeat from * to last 4 sts, yo, k2tog, k2. *(247 sts — count unchanged: each yo is paired with one k2tog)*

**Border Row 2 (WS):** Sl1 wyif, knit to last 3 sts, k3.

**Border Row 3 (RS):** Sl1 wyif, knit to last 3 sts, k3.

**Border Row 4 (WS):** Sl1 wyif, knit to last 3 sts, k3.

**Border Row 5 (RS):** Repeat Border Row 1.

**Border Row 6 (WS):** Sl1 wyif, knit to last 3 sts, k3.

**Border Row 7 (RS):** Sl1 wyif, knit to last 3 sts, k3.

**Border Row 8 (WS):** Sl1 wyif, knit to last 3 sts, k3.

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## Cast Off

Using a stretchy cast-off (recommended: knit 2, *insert left needle into the front of both sts and k2tog through back loops, knit 1*; repeat). This is essential — a tight cast-off will prevent the lower edge from blocking out into lovely points.

Alternative: cast off using a needle one or two sizes larger.

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## Finishing

1. Weave in all ends on the wrong side using a tapestry needle, following the path of the stitches for an invisible finish.
2. Soak the shawl in lukewarm water with a little wool wash for 20 minutes. Do not agitate.
3. Gently squeeze out excess water (do not wring). Roll in a clean towel and press to remove more moisture.

## Blocking (Important!)

Blocking transforms this shawl — the eyelets open up and the edges sharpen.

1. Lay the damp shawl on foam mats or a towel-covered carpet.
2. Stretch into a triangle, pinning the **top edge straight** along its full 150 cm length.
3. Pin the **centre point** straight down, approximately 75 cm from the top edge.
4. Pin the two **lower diagonal edges** in a smooth, taut line between the top corners and centre point. Use blocking wires through the i-cord edges if you have them — they create the cleanest lines.
5. Stretch firmly but not violently; the eyelets should open and the fabric should feel under gentle tension.
6. Allow to dry completely (12–24 hours) before unpinning.

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## Care
Hand wash in cool water with a gentle wool wash. Reshape and dry flat. Re-block lightly after each wash to restore the points and open eyelets.

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*Enjoy your finished Willow Triangle — and well done on completing your first lace shawl!*