The Botanist shawl by Joji Locatelli

Inspired by the quiet beauty of nature, Botanist is the newest shawl design by Joji Locatelli. Elegant and effortless to wear, this beautiful accessory captures the organic movement of leaves with delicate lace motifs and a graceful, elongated shape.

For her sample, Joji knit Botanist using two skeins of La Bien Aimée Merino Sport from her stash in Porter, a colorway we discontinued many years ago. If you are hoping to recreate a similar look, we recommend Jonna, a rich and nuanced green inspired by deep forest foliage. Slightly more vibrant than Porter, Jonna blends lush woodland greens with subtle earthy undertones, making it a perfect match for a shawl inspired by the natural world.

The knitting itself is wonderfully relaxing. Worked from tip to tip, Botanist combines soothing garter stitch with simple lace sections that evoke the shape and texture of leaves. Because the shawl is constructed sideways, you never have an overwhelming number of stitches on your needles, making it an enjoyable project to pick up whenever you need a little peaceful knitting.

Knit in La Bien Aimée Merino Sport on 4 mm needles, the fabric blooms into a lightweight shawl with beautiful drape and fluidity. The result is an accessory that feels both refined and easy to wear—equally at home wrapped around your shoulders on a cool evening or tucked into your favorite coat for a walk through the changing seasons.

Recommended Yarn

La Bien Aimée Merino Sport — Jonna × 2 skeins

Ideal Substitutes

La Bien Aimée Sport Nouveau × 3 skeins

Helix, Felix, or Alix held double × 2 skeins

Whether you choose the rich forest tones of Jonna or create your own interpretation, Botanist is a beautiful celebration of nature, texture, and mindful knitting.