KNITTING Crochet shawlKnitted shawls kd 2 min read

Shawl Shapes Explained

Monarch Shawl by Kathryn White
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Shawls are a favorite project of knitters and crocheters everywhere. They can range from simple, mindless projects suitable for crafting while socializing to masterworks of color and technique. But what is a shawl?

Shown above: Monarch Shawl by Kathryn White

According to Webster’s Dictionary, a shawl is “a square or oblong usually fabric garment or wrapper used especially as a covering for the head or shoulders.” Apparently, the dictionary does not have a crafter on their staff. In our world, shawls come in just about all sizes and shapes.

Related: What Makes a Shawl a Shawl?

This is the first of a series of articles exploring shawl shapes. Each of the other articles in this series focuses on a specific shape, explaining the various ways the shape is created and the options available with that shape. We’ll also mine the Interweave archives for some stunning examples of creative shawls.

Basic Shawl Shapes

Painted Wrap by Melissa Leapman
Painted Wrap by Melissa Leapman

Rectangles and Squares

We’ll begin with rectangles, like the Painted Wrap by Melissa Leapman. Perhaps the most elemental shawl shape (and the one Webster’s would recognize), rectangular shawls can range from scarf-sized to snuggly blankets. They can be worked from end to end, from side to side, on the bias, or from the center out.

Pierpoint Shawl by Dani Berg
Pierpoint Shawl by Dani Berg

Symmetrical Triangles

We’ll look at symmetrical triangles next, like Dani Berg’s Pierpoint Shawl. You’ll be surprised by how many ways there are to create this simple shape! You can easily work from the top down, from the bottom up, or from end to end. The Pierpoint Shawl is worked from the center top outward, with that beautiful miter down the center.

Orangery Shawl knitting pattern by Carol Feller
Orangery Shawl by Carol Feller

Circles

Circular and semi-circular shawls have a touch of magic about them. Like Carol Feller’s Orangery Shawl, these projects tend to have a traditional look. Whether crocheted in lace patterns resembling spiderwebs, or knit in humble, cozy garter stitch, these shawls are usually worked from the center out, with shaping based on pi (p). We’ll demystify the math for creating shawls based on circles.

Beyond Basic Shawl Shapes

Capital Shawl by Juliette Bezold
Capital Shawl by Juliette Bezold

Scalene and Obtuse Triangles

Asymmetrical triangle shawls, like Juliette Bezold’s Capital Shawl, have been wildly popular in recent years. These are great shapes for showcasing a beautiful, variegated yarn; since the length of the rows is always changing, the color is unlikely to pool. You can work this shape from the wide end to the point, or from the point to the wide end. You can have shaping on only one edge, or on both. We’ll examine both the shaping and some fun variations.

Shoreline Shawl by Irina Anikeeva
Shoreline Shawl by Irina Anikeeva

Crescents

The last shape we’ll examine is the crescent. These shawls tend to be easy to wear, gracefully hugging the shoulders. Crescents from range from long, narrow, curved slivers to nearly half-circles, line Irina Anikeeva’s Shoreline Shawl. They can be worked from the lower edge up, from the top down, or from side to side. Short rows are often used to create the characteristic curve.


Whether you call them shawls, stoles, scarves, or wraps, we can all agree that creating a beautiful piece of fabric to wrap around our neck and shoulders is one of the reasons we knit and crochet.

Related: Other Names for a Shawl

Dig deeper into each of these shapes and create your own personal masterpiece!


Sandi Rosner is the former technical content editor for all things yarn at Interweave. When she isn’t knitting, she usually has her nose in a book. You’ll find tons of technical content from Sandi at www.interweave.com.

Shawls in a Variety of Shapes

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