Faroese shawl

The most distinguishing characteristic of Faroese shawls is the center back gusset shaping.

Each shawl consists of two triangular side panels, a trapezoid-shaped back gusset, an edge treatment, and usually shoulder shaping.

These shawls are traditionally knit from domestic wool of native sheep grown primarily for meat.

Patterns are drawn out showing the back gusset and one side panel with numerical shaping instructions noted on the diagram.

As the work progresses, structural decreases between the side panels and back gusset reduce the number of stitches until very few remain at the neck.

A Faroese shawl knit by Lisa Risager