Westcott is a striking lace shawl knitting pattern with a lacy spine, eyelet shaping and optional crochet edging. The snuggle factor is increased because of the stocking stitch panels, so glamour meets snuggle!
Westcott flows nicely along the needles and is a pleasure to knit because all WS rows are purled. In addition, this versatility makes Westcott a good introductory shawl if you’re working up to more complex designs.
Styling the Westcott lace shawl
You can fasten Westcott at the neck or chest with a pin or brooch. Westcott suits special occasions like winter weddings, but alternatively you can add a touch of glamour on casual days. The sinuous lines of the central dayflower lace motif are a vintage nod.
The shawl is worked from the bottom up. Short row shaping is used to create the classic triangular shape. However, if these are omitted, Westcott remains rectangular and can be worn as a cape.
The crochet edging is also optional. Finishing is easy because Westcott has an inbuilt garter stitch edging.
Special Techniques for knitting the Westcott lace shawl pattern
- Lace increases and decreases (yarn over, ssk, sssk, k2tog, k3tog, p2tog, ssp)
- German short rows (optional)
- Crochet stitches (optional): chain; UK terms are double crochet, treble crochet, double treble crochet; US terms are single crochet, double crochet, treble crochet. UK terms are used throughout the pattern.
The lace panel pattern is charted and includes helpful notes on customisation. As written, Westcott measures 66cm at the deepest point and 164cm at the widest point.
The photographed sample incorporates the short row shaping and crochet edging.
A note on yarn meterage
Please note that you will need approximately 800m of yarn to complete the Westcott shawl.
If you plan to knit with a single strand of laceweight, please make sure you have 800m of yarn before you begin your project.
If you’re planning to hold two strands together as one, or knit with the yarn doubled as photographed here, you will need 800m of each strand of yarn to complete your shawl.
Yarn Selection, Fibre, & Fabrication
The Westcott Shawl requires a delicate interplay between openwork expandability (allowing the dayflower lace spine to open during blocking) and smooth drape across the stocking stitch side panels.
Fibre Composition & Behaviour
- Protein Fibres (Wool, Silk, Mohair): Protein fibres — especially wool-silk or mohair blends—are superior for blocking lace. Silk provides a luminous sheen and fluid drape, while wool or mohair adds light loft, holding the lace openwork in place.
- Cellulosic Fibres (Linen, Cotton, Tencel): Plant fibres will create a cool, airy canopy with substantial liquid drape. Keep in mind that natural plant fibres do not have memory, so lace blocking won’t spring back as crisply as it does with wool. A blend featuring silk or Tencel will help give cellulosic lace shawls a touch of structure and weight.
Yarn Weight & Meterage
Laceweight. Choose a yarn with generous meterage to ensure your lace points and crochet edging can bloom fully during wet blocking without coming up short on meterage.
Yarn Construction
A smooth, plied lace yarn offers razor-sharp stitch definition for the dayflower lace pattern. Alternatively, a brushed single-ply, mohair-halo, or blown yarn adds a soft, ethereal mist to the fabric, though it will slightly soften the crispness of the openwork lace.
Pattern Support
After checking out, you’ll be emailed a link to download a digital PDF file of your chosen pattern(s), plus any separate fitting guides as appropriate. These will also be PDF files. You’ll also receive further tutorials, inspiration, and general guidance via email after purchase, so please keep an eye on your inbox.
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You then have the option of either printing out the pattern or reading it from your mobile device – whichever suits you best. And if you get stuck along the way or have any constructive feedback to share, you can email me anytime. I’m always glad to hear from my community and see their interpretations of my patterns!
New to Natalie in Stitches knitting patterns? If you’re not ready to cast on or need a little more time to decide, I’ve created a worksheet especially for getting you settled with my designs. Download it here.
