L’dor va Dor Shawl

L’DOR VA DOR is a Hebrew expression meaning “from generation to generation.” I created this meditative shawl for a family milestone, savoring the process of knitting the stitches to calm my nerves while planning for a special event. Knits, purls, and smooth icord edging show off the imperfect beauty of my handspun yarn and hold memories of making: making the yarn, making the shawl, and making the event. A l’dor va dor moment for me. The larger sample used 2 4-oz skeins (113 g each) of my own handspun yarn (heavy fingering to sport weight), and the smaller sample is a 1-skein design to demonstrate the adaptability of the design. Directions for both a 1-skein and 2-skein version are included. I hope you find long-lasting comfort and wear in this pattern, a design for generations.

L’dor va Dor Shawl on Ravelry

L’dor va Dor Shawl on Payhip

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Designed to maximize a special skein or skeins of yarn, size and fiber content are adjustable. Gauge varied for my 2 samples, and it all worked out great. The larger size is designed for 2 4-oz (113 g) braids of fiber or 2 100 g skeins of yarn, and the smaller size is designed for 1 4-oz (113 g) braid of fiber or 1 100 g skein of yarn.

SAMPLE 1 – YARN
Viking Fiber Company Lofn Sport, 90% Shaniko wool, 10% Romney, 370 yd / 338 m per 100 g, 1 skein. Sample shown in colorway Sol Ablaze, 355 yd / 325 m (96 g), www.vikingfiberco.com.

SAMPLE 1 – FINISHED DIMENSIONS & GAUGE
Top edge: 37” / 94 cm
Bind-off edge: 25.25” / 64 cm
20 stitches & 35 rows = 4” / 10 cm in pattern, blocked.

SAMPLE 2 – YARN
2-ply handspun yarn, approximately 18-20 WPI (wraps per inch), 100% Oatmeal BFL by Suburban Stitcher, 2 braids. Sample shown in colorway Swamp, 662 yd / 605 m (174 g), www.suburbanstitcher.com.

SAMPLE 2 – FINISHED DIMENSIONS & GAUGE
Top edge: 67.25” / 171 cm
Bind-off edge: 45” / 114 cm
17 stitches & 29 rows = 4” / 10 cm in pattern, blocked.

Working with a different amount of yarn? No worries! Reserve approximately 5-8 g of yarn for bind-off row.

NEEDLES
US 5 / 3.75 mm circular needle, min. length 32” / 80 cm or size needed to get gauge. Gauge is not critical but will impact finished size and yarn requirements.

TECHNIQUES
Knit, purl, increasing, integrated icord edging, icord bind-off

PATTERN ATTRIBUTES
This is a written pattern with a schematic. The pattern includes links to cast-on and bind-offs used in the pattern. Test knitters created versions of this design with gauge range of 17-21 stitches = 4” / 10 cm in a variety of handspun and commercially available yarns. The last page of the pattern includes stitch counts at the end of each pattern repeat.

EXPLORE ON INSTAGRAM
#LdorVaDorShawl

Tech editing: Bronwyn Hahn
Test knitting: Ronnie A., Susan E., Leticia J., Lisa M., Kim R., Cat S., Robyn S., Katherine T., & Gwynethnotpaltrow