Pine Forest Shawl Knit Tutorial: A Buttoned Leaf Lace Wrap for Winter

A shawl that buttons around the shoulders is one of the most practical things you can knit for the colder months. It stays put, it layers over a sweater or a dress, and it feels warmer than a loose wrap because it closes at the neck. The Pine Forest Shawl from Susan's Family is exactly that kind of piece: a leaf lace capelet with a folded collar and a row of wooden buttons, knit in two flat pieces and sewn together.
The design is part of the Knit Rhythm Series on the Susan's Family YouTube channel, and the full video tutorial walks you through every section, from the cast on to the last button.

Pine Forest Shawl at a Glance

• Designer: Susan's Family
• Project: buttoned shawl (capelet style) with a leaf lace pattern
• Yarn used in the video: Susan's Family 3 Ply 30% Cashmere
• Needles: 3.25 mm circular knitting needle
• Construction: a front piece and a back piece, sewn together, then buttons attached
• Video length: about 57 minutes
• Season: autumn and winter

What You'll Need

• 3-ply 30% cashmere yarn (the yarn guide on the designer's site lists six colorways: Seed Pearl, Haute Red, Gunmetal Gray, Pecan Brown, Whisper White and Sky Blue, with four of the same yarn for each one)
• 3.25 mm circular knitting needle
• A tapestry needle for sewing the pieces together
• Buttons
• The written pattern from Susan's Family, to follow the stitch counts alongside the video

The finished samples in the video are knit in a soft cream and a warm brown, while the step-by-step parts are demonstrated in light blue so you can see each stitch clearly against the dark background.

Why This Shawl Works for Cold Days

The leaf lace runs in vertical panels that look a little like rows of pine branches, which suits the name. The collar folds over at the neck, and the button band runs down one side, so you can wear it closed like a little cape or leave a button or two open.
It is knit as two flat pieces instead of one large triangle, so you work on a smaller, more manageable piece at a time, and the cashmere blend keeps it soft against the neck.

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How the Pine Forest Shawl Is Made

The video description splits the tutorial into two main parts: the Front Piece starts at 00:31, and the Back Piece, sewing the front and back pieces together and attaching the buttons start at 44:38. Inside the video, on-screen labels show which section you are working on:

1. Introduction. A close look at the finished shawl, the lace panels and the button band.
2. The hem. Casting on and working the first rows that form the lower edge of the front piece.
3. The body. The leaf lace pattern begins and the panels start to take shape. This is the longest part of the video, so it helps to keep the written pattern next to you and mark each row as you finish it.
4. The chest piece. The first row of this section is shown in detail, followed by the remaining rows.
5. The neckline. The top of the front piece is shaped and finished at the neckline.
6. The back piece. Knit after the front, it completes the second half of the shawl.
7. Sewing the front and back pieces. The two pieces are joined with a tapestry needle.
8. Sewing the buttons. The last step is attaching the buttons along the band.

Tips for a Neat Finish

• Swatch first. If you use a different yarn from the one in the video, knit a small swatch in the lace pattern and compare it with the gauge in the written pattern before you cast on.
• Use stitch markers between the lace panels. With repeating leaf motifs, a marker at the edge of each panel makes it much easier to spot a missed yarn over before you are several rows further on.
• Add a lifeline. Thread a piece of smooth scrap yarn through a finished row every so often. If you need to rip back, you only lose a few rows.
• Block before sewing. Lace opens up and evens out after blocking, and two blocked pieces are much easier to line up when you sew the front and back together.
• Choose buttons last. Once the shawl is finished, hold a few options against the band to see which size and color sit best on the fabric.

A Handmade Gift for Winter

A buttoned shawl in a soft cashmere blend makes a thoughtful gift for a mother, a sister or a friend who is always cold in the office. If you start now, you have time to finish it before the holidays, or to knit one for yourself first and then a second one in another color.

Images and patterns courtesy of Susan's Family 蘇蘇姐家

Enjoy the Video Tutorial

Source: Susan's Family 蘇蘇姐家

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Pine Forest Shawl pattern free?

The video tutorial is free to watch on YouTube. The written pattern and a yarn kit are offered on the Susan's Family website, which you can reach from the credit link above.

What yarn and needles are used?

The designer uses Susan's Family 3 Ply 30% Cashmere and a 3.25 mm circular knitting needle. The shawl is worked flat, so the circular needle simply holds the stitches.

How are the two pieces put together?

The front piece is knit first, then the back piece. The two are sewn together with a tapestry needle, and the buttons are attached at the end. This part starts at 44:38 in the video.

More from Susan's Family

• Winter Gift Knit Tutorial: A Handmade Project to Make and Give
• GlowWrap Beginner Scarf: Learn to Knit the Concentric Lock Scarf
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