You can choose the downloadable PDF version of the pattern (instead of the hard copy printed out) -- your choice.
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Here is a lovely shawl, designed by Tori Gurbisz of Lacheisis & Co, Elisa is one design in her Fairytales and Myths collection.
Tori writes:
"In Hans Christian Andersen’s The Wild Swans, Elisa is a beautiful princess with eleven brothers. When her brothers are cursed and turned into swans, she takes a vow of silence and must knit them shirts from stinging nettles to return them to human form. This is not at all like knitting stinging nettles, especially when using super soft silk and baby merino yarn!
"The garter stitch body gives way to lace that resembles the flowers of the stinging nettle. Choose one color or two, large or small. The shallow triangular body with a crescent shaped lace edge makes this reversible shawl extremely versatile and easy to wear in a variety of ways.
"This shawl is worked from the neck down beginning with a provisionally cast on garter stitch tab. Four increases are made every right side row and two every wrong side row. In the Nettles section, all of the increases are moved to the edge of the shawl and the center stitch is incorporated into the pattern. This allows the lace to flow smoothly. Both written and charted instructions are included."
Using DK weight yarn, figure on between 300 and 420 yards of yarn (The Small two-color version used approx. 150 yds/50gm of each color) depending on the size you plan.
The finished size of the small two-color is 52 inch/132cm wingspan, 17 inch/ 43cm depth; the large comes to 70 inch/178cm wingspan, 23 inch/58.5cm depth.
Tori writes that gauge is not crucial to this project; but if you are a tight knitter or want a more open fabric, try going up one to two needle sizes from what is recommended. As always, it is important to wash and block your swatch to ensure you will be happy with the end result.
15 sts and 24 rows = 4 inches/10 cm in garter stitch.
The original that you see photographed here was made using Malabrigo Silky Merino, 50% Silk, 50% Baby Merino wool 150 yards/50 grams (the large is shown in Plum Blossom - 3 skeins; the small used 1 skein MC, Cape Cod Gray and 1 skein CC, Matisse Blue). You can use any yarn that is of a similar weight.
US 8/5mm 24-32 inch circular needle was used in these originals.
The Skill Level is rated as Easy.
Though there are no beads in the original knitting, this could easily have some incorporated into the edging -- I envision some megatamas and/or 6/0 beads to add sparkle and glory though the shawl is quite lovely without as well.
