Sorata Take 5 Shawl in Cascade Yarns - FW278 - Downloadable PDF

Sorata Take 5 Shawl in Cascade Yarns – Pattern FW278 by Shannon Dunbabin

The Sorata Take 5 Shawl is a beautifully structured knitted shawl designed by Shannon Dunbabin and published by Cascade Yarns as pattern FW278. This is a free downloadable PDF pattern rated at the Experienced skill level, making it an ideal project for confident knitters who enjoy working with multiple techniques and shaping elements simultaneously. The finished shawl measures an impressive 50 inches in wingspan by 22.5 inches tall, measured along the spines from the neck down to the points, creating a generous, wrap-worthy accessory with elegant drape and structure.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a large, lightweight knitted shawl in the Accessories category, specifically designed as a shawl or wrap. The name "Take 5" is a reference to the five-spine construction that defines the architectural shaping of this piece. The shawl is worked from the top down or from a central cast-on, building outward with deliberate increases along defined spine lines to create a symmetrical, multi-pointed silhouette. Once blocked, the finished piece lies flat and open, showcasing the stitch detail and the natural drape of the luxury fiber blend.

Materials Required

• Yarn: Cascade Yarns® Sorata – a premium 4-ply weight yarn composed of 70% Llama and 30% Silk, available in 100 g (3.5 oz) skeins with approximately 437 yards (400 meters) per skein. Only 1 skein is required, in color #17 Midnight Blue.
• Needles: US 6 (4.0 mm) circular knitting needle, at least 32 inches long, or size needed to obtain gauge. A long circular needle is essential given the stitch count that accumulates as the shawl grows.
• Notions: Stitch markers, yarn needle, and it is strongly recommended to use a lifeline periodically throughout the project due to the high stitch count.

Yarn and Fiber Details

Cascade Yarns Sorata is a luxurious 4-ply fingering-weight yarn that combines the softness and warmth of llama fiber with the luminous sheen of silk. Llama fiber is naturally hypoallergenic, lightweight, and warmer than wool by weight, while silk adds a beautiful drape, a subtle luster, and strength to the yarn. Together, these fibers create a yarn that is exceptionally well-suited to shawl knitting, where drape, stitch definition, and a refined finish are all desirable qualities. The Midnight Blue (#17) colorway adds depth and richness to the finished piece.

Gauge

The pattern calls for a gauge of 23 stitches by 32 rows = 4 inches (10 cm), measured in Garter Stitch after blocking. Achieving correct gauge is particularly important for this shawl given its precise finished dimensions, and blocking plays a significant role in opening up the fabric and revealing the full drape of the llama-silk blend.

Techniques Used

• Top-down or spine-based shawl construction – The shawl is built around multiple defined spine lines, a hallmark of multi-directional shawl knitting that creates distinct sections and points.
• Yarn Over (YO) increases – Used along the spine lines to create decorative eyelets and to shape the shawl outward in a controlled, symmetrical manner.
• Garter Stitch – The primary fabric stitch, worked by knitting every row, creating a ridged, reversible texture that is both classic and flattering in a shawl context.
• Stitch marker placement and management – Multiple stitch markers are used to track the five spine positions throughout the pattern, requiring attentive marker slipping on every row.
• Lifeline technique – Strongly recommended by the designer due to the accumulating stitch count, a lifeline involves threading a smooth contrast yarn through live stitches at a known-good row, providing a safety net if stitches need to be ripped back.