This shawl was inspired by the costuming in Ang Lee's 1995 film version of Sense and Sensibility and by a colorplate in Racenet's Le Costume Historique (1888) that illustrates the different ways that women of the Regency era wore their shawls. Many of those pictured feature elaborately patterned borders framing plainer central patterns. Josephine is a Shetland lace knitter's interpretation of those designs, named for the empress who popularized the fashion. The central pattern is a field of bead motifs surrounded by garter stitch, and it is easy to memorize and quick to knit. The border section at each short end is a sampler of more intricate motifs. The shawl is finished with a scalloped edging that is more practical for the knitter than fringe, as it makes the finished piece much easier to block.Finished Size: 24" wide and 64" long.Yarn: The Sanguine Gryphon Gaia Lace (60% silk, 40% cashmere; 420 yd [384 m]/2 oz [57 g]): ladyslippers, 3 skeins. Yarn Weight: #2 - Fine Needles: Size 4 (3.5 mm). Adjust needle size if necessary to obtain the correct gauge. Notions: Waste yarn for provisional CO; markers (m); stitch holder; tapestry needle; T-pins; blocking wires (optional). Gauge: 24 sts and 37 rows = 4" in center patt, after blocking. Originally Published: Jane Austen Knits, 2011
