Arizona

Arizona Shawl by Carolyn

What Is Being Made

Arizona is a knitted shawl designed by Carolyn and published by Wooly Designs. This is a triangular shawl that measures 66 inches wide by 24 inches deep when blocked, making it a versatile accessory suitable for layering or draping. The shawl is constructed using a top-down approach, beginning with a garter tab cast-on method that creates a clean, finished edge.

Craft and Construction Method

Arizona is a knitting project designed for beginners. The shawl uses a classic top-down triangular construction, which is an ideal technique for knitters new to shawl-making. The pattern begins with a small garter stitch rectangle tab, which is then rotated and picked up to create the foundation stitches for the main body. This method eliminates the need for a provisional cast-on and provides a neat, integrated starting point.

The shawl features a lace pattern that expands outward from the center top, creating an elegant triangular silhouette. The lace is achieved through strategic yarn-over increases that are distributed evenly across the working rows, allowing the shawl to grow symmetrically.

Stitches and Techniques Used

• Garter stitch: Used for the initial tab and edge stitches to create a sturdy, non-curling border
• Stockinette stitch: Forms the main body of the shawl between the lace sections
• Yarn-overs (yo): Create the openwork lace pattern and serve as decorative increases
• Knit stitches (k): The fundamental stitch used throughout
• Purl stitches (p): Used on wrong-side rows to maintain stockinette stitch structure
• Garter tab cast-on: A beginner-friendly method that integrates the cast-on edge into the finished shawl
• Pick-up stitches: Used to transition from the garter tab to the main body

Materials Required

Yarn: Worsted weight yarn, 481 yards total (1 ball). The pattern is shown worked in Lion Brand Shawl in a Ball, shade 202 Calming Desert, which is a self-striping yarn that adds visual interest to the finished shawl.

Needles: Size 4.0 mm circular needles. Circular needles are recommended for this project to accommodate the increasing stitch count as the shawl grows.

Gauge: 20 stitches by 24 rows over 4 inches in stockinette stitch. Achieving proper gauge is important for obtaining the correct finished measurements of 66 inches by 24 inches.

Difficulty Level

This pattern is rated as beginner difficulty, making it an excellent introduction to shawl knitting. While the pattern includes lace elements with yarn-overs, the increases follow a straightforward, repeating sequence that is easy to memorize and execute. The garter tab cast-on method is more accessible than some alternative techniques, and the overall construction is logical and intuitive for newer knitters.