5 Knitted Shawl Patterns for People Who Don’t Like to Wear Shawls
As a knitter, I was relatively slow to be bitten by the shawl bug. This shouldn’t have been the case; I love knitting lace, I’m perpetually just a trifle chilly, and shawls are perfect for spring (it’s coming!). But I didn’t cast on my first knitted shawl, Helena’s Shawl, until 2017, after I’d been knitting for a decade!
I’ve since made the Buena Vista Stole, the Blake Shawl, and the Beech Leaf Shawl and thoroughly enjoyed them all, but I if I’m honest, I tend to either knit sweaters or small accessories like hats. I’m currently knitting a shawl and loving it though: Moon Eldridge’s Alpine Wrap from Interweave Knits Fall 2020. Shawls are a great way to learn a technique, and I’m learning how to lock my stranded colorwork floats like Kyle Kunnecke for a loop-free wrong-side on my long stole.
I think the reason I hadn’t knitted a shawl before then and why I only rarely find a new shawl I’m excited about is because I don’t much care for the small-shawl silhouette that was so popular in the early 2000s into the 2010s. Plus, it’s a pet peeve of mine when a shawl is too small to keep me warm! Then it’s just a silly yarn triangle. But shawls are nearly infinite in their variety, and there are definitely shawl patterns that I love to knit and wear.
If you’re into the idea of knitting intricate shoulder-warmers but struggle to either find shawl patterns you like or to wear the shawls that you have, check out this list of unconventional shawls. Each one of these designs solves a problem that I, a bona fide shawl skeptic, has with traditional shawl styles!
Helena’s Shawl by Lori Wagner
This classic lace shawl is worked from the top down, beginning with lace columns and twisted stitches. The chevron design along the edge sports delicate glass beads that sparkle in the sunlight and are attached with a bead crochet hook—no pre-stringing required.
WHY I LOVE IT
Aside from the fact that Helena’s Shawl is drop-dead gorgeous, I learned how to knit with beads by working it. Here are some ideas for styling this piece; it can fit into your wardrobe so many different ways because of it’s versatile shape and light weight.
Finished Size 77.5” wide and 23.5” tall — nice and wide, but not too deep, so it can be worn like a scarf.
Gardenia Stole by Cheryl Toy
Inspired by angel wings and peacock feathers, the Gardenia Stole is an ethereal thing of beauty. Cheryl designed this stole to be worked flat in two pieces, starting with the lace edges, and then grafted in the center. This method of construction ensures that the curved edges match on either end. You’re grafting stockinette, not lace, so the finishing is a snap.
WHY I LOVE IT
I absolutely love knitting lace, and this project, for me, combines the best of both worlds from scarf and shawl. Lace-weight yarn is held double throughout; you won’t believe the elegant drape this gives the project. It’s an absolute pleasure to wear and style.
Finished Size 72″ long and 17¾” wide — plenty of fabric to cover the arms and shoulders!
Desert Sunset by Amy Christoffers
The Desert Sunset Shawl starts with a garter tab and is worked from the center neck down and outward to the points. The slip-stitch pattern shows off hand-dyed yarns in a special way. This easy knitted shawl is a great one to take on a road trip. This particular shawl is easy, but packs a punch!
WHY I LOVE IT
Shawls like Desert Sunset are great projects for first-time colorworkers. The technique uses just one color per row and it’s really rhythmic, making the knitting relaxing — perfect for a road-trip. Then when you wear it, styled more like a kerchief than a shawl if you’re like me, you’ll always remember what you were doing as you worked those beautiful colors together.
Finished Size 69” wide and 24” tall — able to be tied around the neck in a jaunty fashion.
Galax Shawl by Lee Meredith
Wide and curved, Galax can be styled like a scarf or a shawl. The sideways edging is worked modularly, with increases creating the stitches for the future body section. This prevents picking up stitches later and makes for a smooth, lacy join between the two sections.
WHY I LOVE IT
I really don’t like picking up stitches, and while that’s something I’ll need to (eventually) get over, in the meantime I can stick to shawls where the designer did the heavy lifting for me. This is one of Interweave’s all-time most popular shawl patterns for good reason!
Finished Size 110″ along outer edge, 70″ along inner edge, 11″ wide — with notes for making other sizes.
Junius Shaped Shawl by Correna Ferguson
Junius doesn’t look like much when laid out flat, but when it’s draped over your shoulders you realize what a great layering piece it is. The clever increases create shoulder lines that allow the shawl to stay on even without a pin or other closure.
WHY I LOVE IT
My least favorite thing about wearing shawls is the need to constantly adjust them. I have very narrow shoulders, and everything (shawls, bra straps, messenger bags) tends to just slide right off, so the strategic shaping designed to keep the shawl on the shoulders is much appreciated. Plus, this project is guaranteed to make my coworkers go, “Wow.”
Finished Size: About 60″ (152.5 cm) wide across top edge and 36″ (91.5 cm) long from center of top edge to tip of lower point after blocking — ample fabric here, no silly yarn triangle. *wink*
I adore all the shawls that I selected here, but I think the Galax Shawl is going to be the first to actually make it onto my needles.
Yours in Stitches,
Andrea
(Originally posted on 7/3/17; updated on 2/24/21.)
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