Belknap

Belknap Crescent Shawl by Taiga Hilliard Designs

Project Overview

Belknap is a classic two-color crescent shawl designed by Taiga Hilliard Designs. This downloadable knitting pattern creates an elegant accessory through the interplay of two coordinating colors worked in fundamental knitting techniques. The crescent shawl shape emerges naturally from strategic increases, making it an approachable project despite its advanced difficulty rating.

What Is Being Made

The Belknap shawl is a two-color crescent-shaped shawl that showcases color work and textural contrast. The design allows knitters to select their own color combination, making each finished piece unique. The crescent silhouette is a versatile shawl style that drapes beautifully around the shoulders and works well for both everyday wear and special occasions.

Knitting Techniques Used

This pattern employs several fundamental knitting techniques that build upon each other:

• Garter stitch – The primary stitch structure, created by knitting every row on both the right side and wrong side, producing a textured, reversible fabric with horizontal ridges
• Yarn overs (YO) – Decorative increases that create small openings in the fabric, adding visual interest and lace-like qualities to the shawl
• Increases – Multiple increase methods including knit front and back (Kfb) and purl front and back (Pfb) stitches to shape the crescent form
• Two-color knitting – Carrying colors up the side edges without cutting yarn, a technique that maintains continuity and reduces ends to weave in

Stitches and Abbreviations

The Belknap pattern uses the following stitches and abbreviations:

• K – Knit stitch
• P – Purl stitch
• Kfb – Knit into the front and back of the same stitch (increase)
• Pfb – Purl into the front and back of the same stitch (increase)
• P2tog – Purl two stitches together (decrease)
• YO – Yarn over (increase with decorative hole)
• RS – Right side
• WS – Wrong side
• MC – Main Color
• CC – Contrast Color

Materials Required

Yarn: The pattern calls for 500 yards total of yarn, divided equally between two colors at 250 yards each. The recommended yarn weight is sport weight, though DK weight yarn will also work successfully with this pattern. The example shown uses Anzula Cricket yarn in grey (main color) and green (contrast color).

Needles: US size 8 (5.00 mm) needles or the size needed to achieve proper gauge.

Gauge and Sizing

The pattern specifies a gauge of 14.0 stitches over 4 inches. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for the shawl to reach its intended finished dimensions and drape properly.

Pattern Notes and Tips

The pattern includes helpful construction notes for knitters. When working with two colors, there is no need to cut the main color between color sections – instead, carry it up the side edge of the work. For a clean, professional-looking edge, bring the old color under the new color when bringing yarn up the side, which prevents visible color jogs and creates a neat selvage.

Difficulty Level

While rated as advanced, the Belknap shawl is described as very simple to knit in terms of stitch complexity. The advanced rating likely reflects the two-color work and the need to manage multiple yarn colors simultaneously, making it suitable for knitters with some experience in color work and shaping techniques.