Angle of Repose

Angle of Repose Asymmetrical Triangle Shawl by Elizabeth Morrison

What Is Being Made

Angle of Repose is an asymmetrical triangle shawl designed by Elizabeth Morrison, inspired by geological and literary concepts. The shawl features a distinctive angled wedge of pebbly mesh that fans gently along one selvedge, creating visual interest and texture. The asymmetrical design means there is no definitive right or wrong side, making it versatile and forgiving for knitters of various experience levels. This shawlette works beautifully in gradient colorways, speckled yarns, or semi-solid colors, offering flexibility in yarn selection and personal aesthetic preferences.

Knitting Techniques and Construction

This intermediate-level knitting project employs several fundamental techniques to achieve its distinctive shape and texture. The shawl is constructed using increases and decreases to form the triangular silhouette, with the pebbly mesh wedge created through strategic stitch manipulation along one edge. The design utilizes garter stitch as a primary stitch pattern, which creates a reversible fabric with excellent drape and visual texture. The asymmetrical construction method allows knitters to work without worrying about maintaining perfect symmetry, reducing complexity and making the project more accessible despite its intermediate difficulty rating.

Stitches and Abbreviations Used

• Knit (k) – The fundamental knit stitch forming the base fabric
• Knit 2 Together (k2tog) – A right-leaning decrease used to shape the shawl
• Make One (M1) – An increase worked by picking up the strand between two stitches and knitting it through the back of the loop
• Cast On (CO) – The foundation row of stitches
• Bind Off (BO) – The finishing technique to secure stitches
• Garter Stitch – Created by knitting every row, producing horizontal ridges and a reversible fabric

Yarn and Materials

The featured example uses Knitcircus Opulence, a premium yarn blend composed of 80% superwash Merino wool, 10% biodegradable nylon, and 10% cashmere. This 3-ply yarn provides 660 yards per 150 grams, offering excellent yardage for a substantial shawl. The superwash treatment makes the finished shawl easy to care for, while the cashmere and nylon blend adds softness and durability. The sample shown uses the colorway Growing Like a Weed, demonstrating how gradient colorways enhance the shawl's dimensional qualities.

Needles and Gauge

The project calls for US #5 (3.75mm) circular needles in a 24-inch length, which accommodates the growing number of stitches as the triangular shawl expands. The recommended gauge is 17 stitches and 48 rows in garter stitch after blocking. Notably, gauge is not critical for this design, offering additional flexibility for knitters who may not achieve exact gauge specifications. This forgiving approach makes the pattern accessible to a wider range of skill levels within the intermediate category.