Mystic Forest shawl pattern

Inspired by nature itself, with its mysterious tree leaves and unknown undergrowth plants of a dark green forest, this lace shawl is just waiting to be knitted and become the best companion for chilly summer nights.
The shawl consists of the main section and the lace edging that is knitted onto the centre part using circular needles. The pattern has both lace charts and text instructions. Have fun!

Download the knitting pattern as a pdf file on Google Docs or Ravelry.

Oops! (Errata)
Rd1 of the written edging pattern should read:
[k5to3, k3, sk2p, k3] until last 4 sts of the side, k5to3, k1 to corner st

Not a tremendous issue, but one good tip slipped away from the pattern: for casting on the centre section, use needles one size larger than those for knitting, this will ensure the edge to stretch enough during blocking.



Below are some techniques explained. There are also more photos of the shawl at the bottom of this post.

Stretchy knitted cast-on
This technique looks more like making a crochet chain, but the edge will remain stretchy enough for blocking your knitwork.
Start with making a slipknot onto the left needle, knit a stitch out of it, but do not slip it off the needle yet. Place the newly made stitch onto the left needle next to the slipknot (first stitch), still not removing the right needle. Instead knit a next stitch by pulling the yarn through the same loop. Continue making the stitches onto the left needle.

Lace bobble (nupp)
Bobble in this pattern refers to ’nupp’ of Estonian lace knitting.
Knit 5 (or 7 or 9) stitches out of the same stitch while holding the stitch on the left needle and alternating knit stitches with yarnovers. Pull those new stitches at least 1 cm long, otherwise you will run into a lot of trouble on the WS row. Sharp pointed needles are also recommended for nupp making. Purl all strands together on WS row and pull the stitch tight around needle.

Knit 5 stitches into 3 stitches
Knit 3 stitches together without slipping them off the left needle and knit 5 stitches out of this loop as in making the bobble, but without pulling the stitches longer than usual. Purl all strands individually on WS row to have 5 stitches. The k2to3 is made similarly.

K2tog cast-off
This technique will ensure the other edge of the knitwork to be stretchy as well. Working with medium tension will be best.
Slip the first stitch and knit the second one, then place them both back to the left needle without removing the right needle from the loops and knit together through the back loops. Knit the next stitch and knit two stitches together the same way.

These knitting stitches and techniques are best described in books The Haapsalu Shawl, The Haapsalu Scarf and Knitted Lace of Estonia.













If this shawl seems too difficult or time-consuming, you could start with the much easier Allegretto shawl that is worked in one piece and uses a simpler stitch pattern, or the easy little Crinklie scarf.