The Across the Valley shawl and it is now available to download from the website, Ravelry and Payhip.

Across the Valley was inspired by the view from my favourite place in Greece which overlooks a deep, lush valley. It’s a large asymmetric triangular shawl which combines sections of cozy slipped stitches with a deep border of elegant lace.

Starting at the tip in the body colour, the shawl begins to take shape with a simple slipped stitch pattern. Easy to remember and full of texture, once you find your stride with the sequence of stitches the section grows quickly.

Next come the bold colourful stripes. Here you will blend the two larger sections using a contrast colour and create statement stripes that alternate with the border lace colour. These stripes continue the same familiar slipped stitch pattern that you have been working, but by adding in the new colours the stitches take on a whole new vista, tessellating together like the tiled rooftops of the houses below.

As you lower your gaze, the patterned slipped stitches break away into an elegant, airy lace pattern. Using just a handful of lace stitches, the pattern forms like leafy treetops, with eyelets letting the sunlight creep through. Once you reach the borders edge, the easy repeats make it easy to keep going for as long as your yarn will allow. Once finished, all that’s left for you to do is sit back admire the view of your lovely new shawl!

Due to the repeat sections, stitch counts are not given in the instructions. Please use the handy stitch count checklist from pages 8-11 to keep track of the repeat sections and stitch counts for each row.

Stitches Used – Sl1 wyif, sl1 wyib, knit, purl, kfb, k2tog, yo, ssk, sl2tog-k1-psso

Sizes – One size

Measurements – The finished, blocked item has a wingspan of 100” (250cm) and a depth of 22” (56cm)

Materials

• Yarn A – Slipped Stitch Pattern – 437yd / 400m, 3.5 oz / 100g 4 ply, sock or fingering weight yarn. The yarn used in the pattern pictures is Under the Olive Tree Knits Milia Merino yarn, 100% Superwash Merino in the Biscuit colour
• Yarn B – Slipped Stitch Stripes – 87yd / 80m, 0.7 oz / 20g 4 ply, sock or fingering weight yarn. The yarn used in the pattern pictures is Under the Olive Tree Knits Chora Mini-Skein yarn, 75% Superwash Merino / 25% Nylon in the Espresso colour
• Yarn C – Slipped Stitch Stripes and Lace Border – 437yd / 400m, 3.5 oz / 100g 4 ply, sock or fingering weight yarn. The yarn used in the pattern pictures is Under the Olive Tree Knits Milia Merino yarn, 100% Superwash Merino in the Red Squirrel colour
• US size 5 (3.75mm) 32” (80cm) circular needle
• A tapestry needle for weaving in the ends

Gauge: 22 stitches and 33 rows to 4” (10cm) in stockinette stitch after blocking

Download the pattern on Ravelry

Download the pattern on Payhip

The pattern has been professionally tech edited by James Bartley and was tested by Angela, Audrey, Jo, Nahed, Ruth, Semele and Sharon - thank you! 
 

And here is what they had to say about this pattern:
 

"I have loved the opportunity to participate in the Across the Valley Test Knit. I have never done a test knit before. It was exciting to watch the shawl unfold and to know you were one of the first people ever to knit that pattern. Jem is so kind and supportive, and it is also great to be in touch with everyone else doing the test, through the Slack Group" – Audrey

"5 Stars! My daughter asked if she could keep it and she’s a knitter too!" – Sharon
 
"An amazing stashbuster. The fabric of the shawl is squishy and warm but the lace gives it a bit of glamour. This is a pattern I will want to remake again and again. The short rows, stripes and short repeats mean that the pattern is varied enough to keep you interested. Perfect for mini skeins too!" - Semele
 
"A really beautiful shawl that was a pleasure to knit" - Ruth

"I am not a good writer but what I can say is not only this shawl is
beautiful, it also comes with an intelligent design" – Nahed

 

Thanks for stopping by, I hope you like the new pattern! If you make this shawl do come and share your progress and photos in our friendly Facebook Group - Under the Olive Tree Knitters - I'd love to see it!