Asymmetrical Shawl with Knit-on Edging in Cascade Yarns 220 Superwash Fingering - FW302 - Downloadable PDF

Asymmetrical Shawl with Knit-on Edging in Cascade Yarns 220 Superwash Fingering – FW302

This free, downloadable PDF pattern by designer Michael Harrigan guides intermediate knitters through the construction of a beautifully shaped asymmetrical shawl finished with an elegant knit-on lace edging. Published by Cascade Yarns®, pattern number FW302 falls under the Accessories category alongside scarves, Möbius wraps, and cowls. After blocking, the shawl measures an impressive 56" x 46" x 39", creating a generous, drapey triangle that wraps comfortably around the shoulders.

What Is Being Made

The finished object is a large asymmetrical triangular shawl with a decorative knit-on lace edging worked directly onto the body of the shawl rather than sewn on separately. The asymmetrical silhouette gives the piece a modern, fashion-forward feel, while the lace border adds delicate detail and a refined finish. The shawl is worked in three colors, adding visual interest through color contrast without requiring complex colorwork techniques.

Materials Used

• Yarn: Cascade Yarns® 220 Superwash® Fingering, a 4-ply fingering weight yarn made from 100% Superwash Merino Wool. Each skein contains 219 yards (200 m) and weighs 50 g (1.75 oz).
• Color A: 2 skeins of color #71 Parsnip
• Color B: 1 skein of color #55 Arctic Ice
• Color C: 1 skein of color #52 Blue Indigo
• Needles: US 4 (3.5 mm) knitting needles, or size needed to obtain gauge
• Notions: A yarn needle for finishing

The Superwash Merino Wool fiber is an excellent choice for a shawl of this type. Merino is prized for its softness against the skin, its natural elasticity, and its ability to bloom and drape beautifully after blocking. The Superwash treatment means the finished shawl can be machine washed without fear of felting, making it a practical as well as luxurious accessory.

Gauge

Gauge is measured in Garter Stitch after blocking: 20 stitches x 34 rows = 4 inches (10 cm). Because this is a lace and garter project, blocking plays a critical role in opening up the lace pattern and achieving the stated finished dimensions. Knitters are encouraged to swatch carefully and block their gauge swatch before beginning.

Techniques and Construction

The shawl begins with a cast on of just 4 stitches in Color A (Parsnip), and the body is built up through incremental increases on right-side rows, creating the characteristic asymmetrical triangular shape. This top-down or corner-out construction method is common in modern shawl design and allows knitters to see the shape develop organically as they work.

Once the body is complete, the knit-on lace edging is worked directly onto the live or picked-up edge stitches. This technique involves joining a separately worked edging strip to the main fabric one stitch at a time on wrong-side rows, creating a seamless, integrated border. The knit-on method is more advanced than a simple cast-off edging and is one of the features that places this pattern at the intermediate skill level.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

• Garter Stitch – the primary stitch pattern for the shawl body, created by knitting every row. Garter stitch lies flat naturally, has a pleasant ridged texture, and is ideal for shawl construction as it requires no additional border to prevent curling.
• Lace Edging Pattern – a 16-row repeat worked from a written pattern (with a chart also provided). The ed