The stitch patterns in Kinsol are inspired by the Kinsol Trestle, one of the tallest  timber rail trestle bridges in the world. You work this shawl as a sideways triangle, echoing the shape of the valley as the twisted stitch patterns grow to fill the shape. 

Spanning the Koksilah River in the Cowichan Valley of British Columbia, this former railway bridge has been turned into a spectacular walking and cycling trail. The Kinsol Trestle bridge is now part of the Trans Canada Trail and the Vancouver Island Trail. 

To make Kinsol (the shawl, not the bridge), you will need to know how to read knitting charts, knit, purl, increase, and decrease. The pattern includes an illustrated tutorial for working the twisted stitches so that they stand out from the fabric. The instructions for Kinsol are charted only. 

This pattern was originally published at digitsandthreads.ca, an online magazine covering Canadian textile arts, and is available there with a Studio membership.

Pattern PDF download: $8 USD from Ravelry or Payhip.

Size

One size. Width at top edge: 198 cm/78 inches, depth: 95.5 cm/37.5 inches

Yarn

Ancient Arts Yarns Lascaux Worsted (25% Manx Loaghtan, 75% Punta Arenas Wool; 200 m/220 yds per 100 g/3.5 oz): 5 skeins (shown in Rill)

Needles

5 mm/US 8 needle for working flat, or the size needed for gauge—recommend an 80 cm/32 in or longer circular needle.

4.5 mm/US 7 needle for working flat, or one size smaller than your gauge needle—recommend an 80 cm/32 in or longer circular needle.

Gauge

18 sts & 25 rows = 10 cm/4 inches in stockinette stitch after blocking without pins.

1 large x motif = 13.5 cm/5.25 inches wide × 17 cm/6.75 long.

Notions
Yarn needle