910 - Ekanite - Shawl Knitting Pattern for Women in Valley Yarns Charlemont by Valley Yarns

910 Ekanite Shawl Knitting Pattern by Julie Turjoman – Valley Yarns Charlemont

The Ekanite is a beautifully crafted, advanced-level knitted shawl designed by Julie Turjoman and published as pattern #910 by Valley Yarns. This stunning wrap is worked in Valley Yarns Charlemont, a luxurious fingering-weight silk-blend yarn, and showcases an elegant combination of lace and garter techniques that make it a rewarding project for experienced knitters. The finished shawl measures approximately 29 inches wide by 72 inches long at its widest edge, creating a generous, flowing wrap ideal for layering during cooler spring evenings or as a sophisticated accessory year-round.

Design Overview

The Ekanite shawl is a one-size design featuring a striking visual structure built around two distinct stitch patterns that alternate across the body of the shawl. The most dramatic feature is a deep diamond lace border running along the widest edge of the piece. This bold lace border is complemented by additional lace stripes interspersed throughout the body, which are separated by garter stripes to create a rhythmic, textured interplay between solid and open fabric. The result is a shawl with real visual depth — structured enough to hold its shape beautifully when blocked, yet delicate enough to drape elegantly.

Techniques and Construction

This pattern is rated advanced in difficulty, making it best suited to knitters who are already comfortable with lace knitting, yarn-over increases, and working decrease sequences. Key techniques used throughout the Ekanite include:

• Diamond lace patterning – a structured, geometric lace motif worked along the widest border of the shawl, requiring careful attention to stitch counts and row sequencing
• Textured stripe stitch pattern – an alternating pattern that combines lace stripes with garter ridges to create surface interest across the body of the shawl
• Yarn-over increases (yo) – used extensively to form the open, airy holes characteristic of lace knitting
• SSK decreases – a left-leaning decrease used in combination with yarn-overs to shape the lace motifs cleanly
• Garter stitch – worked in stripes to provide visual contrast and structural stability between the lace sections
• Blocking – essential to this design; both stitch patterns are gauged and measured in their blocked state, and blocking will open up the lace motifs to their full, intended beauty

Because the two stitch patterns have different gauges, the pattern specifically instructs knitters to swatch both the Textured Stripe stitch pattern and the Diamond Lace stitch pattern separately before casting on. The Textured Stripe gauge is 22 stitches and 26 rows over 4 inches, while the Diamond Lace gauge is 20 stitches and 26 rows over 4 inches, both blocked using a US 6 (4mm) needle.

Yarn and Materials

The Ekanite shawl requires just 2 skeins of Valley Yarns Charlemont, making it an efficient and relatively economical use of a premium yarn. Valley Yarns Charlemont is a 4-ply fingering-weight yarn with a luxurious fiber blend of 60% Fine Superwash Merino Wool, 20% Silk, and 20% Polyamide, with each skein containing 100 grams and 439 yards. The silk content lends the yarn a beautiful drape and subtle sheen that enhances the open lace sections of the design, while the superwash merino provides softness and easy care. The polyamide adds durability and helps the yarn hold its structure through repeated wear and washing.

The sample shown in the pattern was worked in Dark Olive, a rich, earthy colorway that gives the lace motifs a sophisticated, nature-inspired character. The depth of the color allows the diamond lace border and lace stripes to read clearly without overwhelming the delicate stitch detail.

Needles and Notions