Sorority

Sorority Knit Shawl by Corrine Walcher

What Is Being Made

The Sorority is a knitted shawl designed by Corrine Walcher as part of her independent designer collection. This piece is a stole-style shawl that measures 72 inches by 16 inches after wet blocking. The design celebrates the concept of sisterhood through the use of coordinated gradient colorways that work together to create a cohesive, beautiful finished piece. The Sorority is positioned as a sister design to the Sodality stole, making it part of a complementary collection for knitters seeking elegant, wearable shawls.

Knitting Techniques and Construction

This intermediate-level knitting project uses a charted stole construction method. The pattern incorporates strategic placement of stitch markers to help knitters track their progress, with three edge stitches on either side of the main chart pattern. The design relies on precise stitch placement and pattern following, making it suitable for knitters with some experience who are comfortable reading charts and maintaining consistent tension throughout the project.

Stitches Used

The Sorority pattern employs fundamental knitting stitches combined with decorative techniques:

• Knit (K) – the basic foundation stitch used throughout the stockinette base
• Purl (P) – used to create texture and pattern variation
• Knit two together (K2tog) – a right-leaning decrease stitch for shaping
• Slip, slip, knit (SSK) – a left-leaning decrease stitch for balanced decreases
• Yarn over (YO) – creates decorative eyelet holes and lace elements

The primary fabric is worked in wet-blocked stockinette stitch, which provides a smooth, elegant drape ideal for a shawl. The combination of decreases and yarn overs creates the lace or textured patterning that defines the stole's visual interest.

Yarn and Materials

The Sorority is designed to showcase gradient yarn colorways. The recommended yarn is Neighborhood Fiber Company Studio DK, a 100% superwash merino wool available in gradient kits. The pattern requires 685 yards of yarn weighing 10.6 ounces. The sample shown was knit in the Shades of Aqua colorway, demonstrating how the gradient effect creates visual depth and movement across the finished shawl.

Knitters will need a 32-inch circular needle in size 7 US (4.5mm), or the size required to obtain proper gauge. The circular needle format allows for the width of the stole to be accommodated comfortably during knitting.

Gauge and Customization

The pattern is worked at a gauge of 3.75 stitches per inch in wet-blocked stockinette stitch. While gauge is noted as not critical for this item, variations in gauge will affect both the final yardage requirements and the drape of the finished shawl. Knitters who prefer a denser or more open fabric can adjust their needle size accordingly, though this will impact how much yarn is consumed and how the shawl hangs when worn.