673 Traversina Shawl - Knitting Pattern for Women in Valley Yarns Hatfield

673 Traversina Shawl - Knitting Pattern Overview

What Is Being Made

The 673 Traversina Shawl is a lightweight, colorful wrap designed by Kirsten Hipsky for advanced beginner knitters. This finished shawl measures approximately 18 inches wide and 72 inches long, making it an ideal accessory for layering or draping. The design celebrates the rich color palette of Valley Yarns Hatfield yarn through strategic color blocking.

Construction Method and Unique Design Features

This shawl is worked seamlessly in the round using circular needles, which eliminates the need for traditional purling and significantly reduces finishing work. The most distinctive feature of the Traversina Shawl is its innovative fringe creation method: after completing the circular knitting, the piece is cut and unravelled to create its own fringe automatically. This technique means no ends need to be woven in at the completion of the project, streamlining the finishing process considerably.

Color and Stripe Pattern

The shawl is worked in varying stripes of six different colors, each from a single skein of Valley Yarns Hatfield. The color sequence includes:

• Color A: Navy
• Color B: Burgundy
• Color C: Red Clay
• Color D: Goldenrod
• Color E: Leaf Green
• Color F: Sagebrush

This multi-color approach creates visual interest and allows knitters to explore color combination without committing to a single hue.

Knitting Techniques Used

The primary techniques employed in this pattern include:

• Seamless, in-the-round construction using circular needles, which creates a continuous fabric without seams
• Stockinette stitch as the primary stitch pattern, providing a smooth, classic fabric
• Color striping through yarn changes at designated intervals
• Strategic cast-on and unravelling to create fringe without additional finishing steps

Stitches and Gauge

The Traversina Shawl is primarily constructed using stockinette stitch, the fundamental knit stitch that creates the smooth, V-patterned fabric characteristic of classic knitwear. The pattern specifies a gauge of 5 stitches and 7 rows per 1 inch in stockinette stitch, which is essential for achieving the correct finished dimensions.

Materials Required

Yarn: The pattern calls for Valley Yarns Hatfield, a premium yarn composed of 100% Baby Alpaca. Each color requires one 50-gram skein, which contains 437 yards. The total yardage used is approximately 875 yards across all six colors combined. Baby Alpaca yarn is prized for its softness, breathability, and lustrous appearance, making it ideal for a delicate shawl.

Needles: US size 7 (4.50mm) circular needles measuring 40 inches in length are required, or the size necessary to achieve proper gauge. The 40-inch length accommodates the large stitch count required for the shawl's width.

Pattern Difficulty and Suitability

This pattern is rated for advanced beginner knitters, indicating that while it does not require complex stitch patterns or advanced shaping techniques, knitters should be comfortable with fundamental skills such as casting on, maintaining gauge, and working in the round with circular needles. The elimination of purling and minimal finishing work make this an accessible introduction to larger, more ambitious projects.