Shawl Knitting Pattern with Beads - Afternoon Tea Shawl

Kits are available for the Afternoon Tea shawl

This pattern is also available to purchase on Ravelry

There’s something a little bit special about an English afternoon tea. Hot tea is poured from a cute little teapot and sandwiches and cakes served on a vintage cake stand with lace doilies. Small roses often decorate the china cups and a vase of freshly cut flowers adorns the table. Everything feels rather fancy yet also familiar and comforting.

The Afternoon Tea Shawl was designed to make you feel that extra bit special. Knitted with two skeins of laceweight yarn, it’s not a quick project but it is one that you can take your time with and enjoy as you work through each section. The shawl begins with a large body of stockinette stitch which grows the large triangle shape and makes for a relaxing, mindless knit.

Then a few rows of garter stitch introduce the contrast colour before you embark on the pretty beaded roses. Beads are added using a tiny crochet hook and this section can be very addictive as you watch the tiny flowers grow row by row. 

Once the roses are complete it’s time for the lace border. A simple, 4-row lace stitch pattern between columns of purls gives the shawl some lovely texture to finish. I used near enough a whole skein for the lace border but you can finish whenever you are happy with the length.

The end result is a large, sheer, drape of a shawl with lots of sparkle for times when you want to feel a little bit fancy.

Video tutorials are linked for all of the stitches used, including how to add the beads. A handy stitch count checklist is also provided.

The pattern includes written and charted instructions and has been tech edited and test knitted prior to publication.

Stitches Used – Sl1 wyif, yo, knit, purl, k2tog, ssk, beaded stitches

Sizes – One size 

Measurements – The finished, blocked item has a wingspan of 95” (241cm) and a depth of 42” (106.5cm) 

Materials

•200g / 7oz, 1300 yds / 1200m laceweight yarn. The yarn used in the pattern is Under the Olive Tree Knits Lace Yarn – 80% Superfine Merino / 20% Silk in the following shades:

•Yarn A: Pistachio (100g / 600m) (Light Green)

•Yarn B: Seashell (100g / 600m) (Ivory)

•Size 8 (3mm) Knitting Beads. The sample used the following colours:

•436 x Bead A: Dark Green

•408 x Bead B: Light Green

•374 x Bead C: Light Pink

•612 x Bead D: Bright Pink

•158 x Bead E: Plum

•1 x US size 4 (3.5mm) 40-47” (100-120cm) circular needle 

•A 0.5mm crochet hook for adding the beads 

•A tapestry needle for weaving in the ends

Gauge: 24 stitches and 38 rows to 4” (10cm) in stockinette stitch after blocking

Pattern Testimonials

"This pattern was so worth the work. It drapes beautifully and the beads just set it off. A gorgeous knit!" - Audrey