I’m a fan of cables, lace, and the combination of the two. Norah Gaughan’s book, The Knitted Cable Sourcebook, inspired me to use a cabled lace pattern in a large shawl. So here it is! Norah’s cable pattern adapted to fit a broad border on an arrow shaped shawl, perfect to wrap around yourself. The lace looks beautiful on both sides, so the shawl is fully reversible.
The unusual construction of this shawl will keep you enthralled throughout the knit. First the lace borders are worked, one at a time, starting from the very tip working your way towards the center. The two halves are joined to work the bottom triangle. Stitches are then picked up for the center body of the shawl.

Yarn used for sample: Martin’s Lab Zelazna Wool (100% Wool), 3 ply / appr. DK weight, 225 meters / 246 yards per 105g, 4 skeins. Colorway: Undyed.
Any weight yarn can be used, though at least 800 meters / 875 yards – see note for how to divide up the yarn in the pattern.

Needles:
4 mm / US 6 circulars, 60 cm / 24 inches or longer, for lace borders.
Matching cable needle.
4,5 mm / US 7 circulars, at least 80 cm / 32 inches in order to hold a large number of sts, for shawl body.

Other: Stitch markers, waste yarn for setting sts aside, tapestry needle for weaving in ends.

Gauge: Sample uses gauge of 20 sts & 22 rows to 10 cm / 4 inches in cabled lace stitch pattern on smaller needles.
A different gauge won’t be an issue – however, note that a large change in gauge will affect the yardage needed.

Size using stated gauge: (see also schematic)
Length from tip to tip: 146 cm / 57.5 inches.
Length from center to bottom tip: 77 cm / 30.25 inches.
Length from top tips to center: 77 cm / 30.25 inches.
Width of edge at widest point: 46 cm / 18 inches.

Difficulty Level:
Intermediate / advanced. Uses knit, purl, knit and purl increases and decreases, yarn overs and picking up sts.

Tech edited and tested.
A huge thanks to my amazing and very thorough testers!