Color Shift Shawl in Cascade 220® Fingering - FW185 - Downloadable PDF

Color Shift Shawl in Cascade 220® Fingering – Pattern FW185 by Shannon Dunbabin

This free downloadable PDF knitting pattern, designated FW185 and designed by Shannon Dunbabin for Cascade Yarns, guides knitters through the creation of a stunning Color Shift Shawl worked in Cascade 220® Fingering yarn. The finished shawl measures approximately 52 inches wide by 24.5 inches long, making it a generously sized wrap suitable for year-round wear. The pattern is rated Intermediate in difficulty, making it an excellent next step for knitters who are comfortable with basic techniques and ready to explore lace and color work.

What Is Being Made

The project is a triangular shawl or wrap, a classic accessory that drapes elegantly over the shoulders or can be worn as a scarf. What sets this design apart is its striking color shift effect, which creates a smooth, gradual transition between three distinct colors. The result is a piece that looks complex and artful while being achievable for an intermediate-level knitter. The finished dimensions of 52 inches wide by 24.5 inches long provide ample coverage and a graceful, flowing silhouette.

Construction Method

The shawl is constructed using a bottom-up, worked flat approach, meaning knitting begins at the lower edge and progresses upward toward the spine or top edge. Working flat on US 9 circular knitting needles means the piece is knitted back and forth in rows rather than in the round, though circular needles are used to comfortably accommodate the growing stitch count. The construction is entirely seamless, so no finishing seams are required beyond weaving in ends.

Color Shift Technique

The defining feature of this pattern is its color shift striping technique. The shawl is knitted with two strands of Cascade 220® Fingering held together throughout. The gradual color transition is achieved by swapping one strand at a time across the three colorways, blending them in a way that avoids abrupt color changes. This double-stranding technique also affects gauge and fabric density, giving the finished shawl a satisfying weight and drape despite the use of a fingering-weight yarn.

The three colors used are:

• Color A – #9593 Ginseng
• Color B – #9332 Sapphire
• Color C – #9594 Orchid Haze

One skein of each color is required, and the gradual blending of these three shades creates a rich, painterly effect across the surface of the shawl.

Techniques Used

• Bottom-up construction – the shawl is built from the cast-on edge upward
• Worked flat – rows are knitted back and forth on circular needles
• Lace – decorative openwork is incorporated into the design for visual texture and elegance
• Stripes and color shifting – gradual color transitions are created by changing one strand at a time
• Double stranding – two strands of fingering-weight yarn are held together throughout
• Seamless finishing – no seaming is required

Stitches Used

The pattern employs a focused set of stitches and techniques that are well within reach for an intermediate knitter:

• K (Knit) – the foundational stitch used throughout
• YO (Yarn Over) – used to create decorative eyelets and lace openings
• K2tog (Knit 2 Together) – a right-leaning decrease used in shaping and lace
• SSK (Slip, Slip, Knit) – a left-leaning decrease that mirrors K2tog for balanced shaping
• CO (Cast On) – to begin the shawl
• Garter stitch – referenced in