Gelso Shawl

About This Pattern

When the heat of the summer gives no mercy, the Italians gather on their piazzas and stay in the shade. The trees used in these “public living rooms” always have leaves, often big ones. In certain cases, the selected trees have more decorative aspects, like big flowers or a special scent. Gelso, the Italian name for the mulberry tree, has rather small flowers, but later in the summer, colorful fruit fills the branches. This shawl was inspired by the leaves and berries of this familiar tree and the easy comfort it provides.

According to some accounts, Italian monks returning from their evangelizing trips to Asia brought home the white mulberry tree (Morus alba) together with its famous grazers—silkworms. The white mulberry tree has been cultivated mostly for the use of its leaves in sericulture, serving as food for silkworms creating fine, white silk. By the fifteenth century, the seeds of what would become the famous Italian silk industry were planted.

The Gelso Shawl is a triangular shawl, worked from the narrow tip to full width and knitted in Tibetan wool spun in Italy. First, the lace section is established, and then a garter-stitch section expands to form the body of the shawl.

Materials

YARN mYak Tibetan Cloud (100% Tibetan sheep wool; 328 yd [300 m]/3. oz [100 g]; sportweight): Salice Grigio, 2 skeins.

NEEDLES Size 6 (4 mm): 32" (80 cm) circular (cir). Adjust needle size if necessary to obtain the correct gauge.

NOTIONS Marker (m); cable needle (cn); tapestry needle.

GAUGE 20 sts and 35 rows = 4" (10 cm) in garter st, blocked.

FINISHED SIZE 61½" (156 cm) wide at longest edge and 24" (61 cm) tall at point.

Resources

• Visit farmfiberknits.com/abbreviations for terms you don’t know.
• New to lace knitting? Here are three great tips from designer Katrina King.
• Need some pointers on blocking lacy knits? Pamela K. Schultz has some tips for you!

About Mirva Scivola: Mirva Scivola of Rustic House Knits is a Finn living in Italy. Mirva designs garments and accessories that fit well and have interesting details, with colors playing an important role. Mirva’s designs are based on the things she lives, sees, hears, or eats in Italy, all with a strong connection to their inspiration and story.

All items in the library are intended for personal use. Please do not distribute without written approval.