Unleash your inner fashion designer and create your very own handmade shawl

04/07/2023

Looking for inspiration for your next project? Look no further! The talented knitter Valentina Cosciani –Tibisay has designed an elegant shawl inspired by her native Italy– the Foglia di Bardana shawl. This lovely garment is perfect for year-round use, and is easy to make! In this blog post, we’ll explain how to make the shawl, and link the materials you need for it.

The story behind the shawl 

Let’s take a trip to the North of Italy. Imagine you’re in the beautiful Dolomites Mountain range, with a landscape filled with picturesque cliffs and valleys. There we find the healing plant named Berdana, which inspired Valentina to create her versatile the Foglia di Bardana shawl (Bardana leaf shawl). Traditionally, the Berdana plant is used for detoxing, skin care, arthritis relief, stomach issues, and wound care. Now, it’s the inspiration for your next shawl!

The Foglia di Bardana shawl is knitted from the top down. The middle part is decorated with a simple motif inspired by Bardana’s leaves. Additionally, this garment is also suitable for men. Below, you can find the step-by-step process to make your own!

Material List for the Shawl

We recommend using cotton-cashmere yarn, a high-quality yarn is a blend of 90% cotton and 10% cashmere, offering the best of both worlds: the softness and breathability of cotton, with the added warmth and elegance of cashmere.

Not only is this yarn soft and beautiful, but it's also practical and durable. It's machine washable, so you can enjoy your shawl without worrying about the maintenance. Additionally, it's versatile enough to be used for a variety of projects, from scarves and socks, to cardigans and blankets.

1. Katia Cotton – Cashmere (90% cotton, 10% cashmere: 500 ft. / 50 gr skein), 4 skeins (1970 ft).
2. Circular Needles: 40′ US 4 or the size needed to obtain the correct gauge.
3. Two stitch markers 
4. Tapestry needle 
5. Blocking pins
6. Optionally, a gauge if you want to make a larger shawl. (19 sts. x 30 rows = 10×10 cm Stockinette stitch after blocking.)

Step-by-Step Process and Techniques 

1. Provisional cast on and make a simple chain stich

    2. Pick up stitches along provisional cast on

   3. Stretchy bind off

   4. Knit in front and back of stitch 

CO: cast on
st.: stitch
k: knit
p: purl
ktbl: knit through back of loop
M: marker
PM: place marker
RM: remove marker
SM: slip marker
WS: wrong side
RS: right side

Foglia di Bardana shawl Pattern

Section 1:

With provisional cast on, CO 3 st.
Next row: knit
Repeat last row 143 more times.
Turn work of 90°, pick up and knit 142 st along the edge; turn work of 90°, pick up and knit the first 3 stitches you casted on. (148 st)

Row1 (WS): k30, PM, k88, PM, k29, k1tbl

Row2 (RS): k3, kfb twice, *knit to M, SM* Rep. from * to * once more, k to 5 sts before end of row, kfb twice, k2, k1tbl

Row3: knit to 1 st before end of row (slipping markers), k1tbl (152 st)

Section 2 (increase):
Row1 (RS): k3, kfb twice, *k to m, SM*, rep. from * to * once more, k to 5 sts before end of row, kfb twice, k2, k1tbl

Row2 (WS): k3, p to 3 sts before end of row (slipping markers), k2, k1tbl

Row3: k3, kfb twice, k to M, SM, *k4, p4*, rep. from * to * to M, SM, k to 5 sts before end of row, kfb twice, k2, k1tbl

Row4: k3, p to M, SM, k3, *p4, k4*, rep. from * to * to 5 sts before M, p4, k1, SM, p to 3 m before end of row, k2, k1tbl

Row5: k3, kfb twice, k to M, SM, p2, *k4, p4*, rep. from * to * to 6 sts before M, k4, p2, SM, k to 5 sts. before end of row, kfb twice, k2, k1tbl

Row6: k3, p to M, SM, k1, *p4, k4*, rep. from * to * to 7 sts. before M, p4, k3, SM, p to 3 sts before end of row, k2, k1tbl

Row7: k3, kfb twice, f. to M, SM, k3, *p4, k4*, rep. from * to * to 5 sts before M, p4, k1, SM, k to 5 sts before end of row, kfb twice, k2, k1tbl

Row8: k3, p to M, SM, p2, *k4, p4*, rep. from * to * to 6 sts before M, k4, p2, SM, p to 3 sts. before end of row, k2, k1tbl

Row9: k3, kfb twice, k to M, SM, k1, *p4, k4*, rep. from * to * to 7 sts before M, p4, k3, SM, k to 5 sts before end of row, kfb twice, k2, k1tbl.

Row10: k3, p to M, SM, *p4, k4*, rep. from * to * to M, SM, p to 3 sts before end of row, k2, k1tbl

Row11: as Row 1

Row12: as Row 2
Rep. Rows 1 to 12: 8 times (368 sts)

Section 3 (edging and bind off):

Row1 (RS): k3, kfb twice, *k to M, SM*, rep. from * to * once more, k to 5 sts before end of row, kfb twice, k2, k1tbl

Row2 (WS): k to 1 m. before end of row (slipping markers), k1tbl
Rep. Rows 1 and 2: twice more (380 sts)
With a stretchy bind off, cast off stitches. Break yarn, weave in ends and block.

Blocking the Foglia di Bardana shawl

To clean the shawl, use cold water and a mild or neutral detergent. Afterward, gently squeeze out the excess water with your hands. Place the shawl on a large towel and roll it up tightly, applying pressure to remove any remaining water. Once you unroll the towel, lay the shawl flat and use a tape measure to adjust it to the desired size. Secure the edges with pins spaced 2 cm apart, making sure they are firmly attached. Allow the shawl to air dry. 

Discover More shawls we have at Katia. Explore our wide range of designs, textures, and color patterns, and get inspired to create your very own handmade fashion piece.

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