Geode Shawl

Geode Shawl by Carissa Browning

What is Being Made

The Geode Shawl is a knitted triangular shawl designed by Carissa Browning. This accessory piece features a finished span of 54 inches across and a center height of 22 inches, making it a generous wrap suitable for layering or draping. The shawl is constructed using a combination of two distinct yarn colors to create visual depth and interest reminiscent of natural geode formations.

Craft and Primary Technique

This project is created entirely through knitting, making it an ideal introduction to shawl construction for beginners. The design employs fundamental knitting increases and decreases to shape the triangular silhouette, allowing newer knitters to build confidence while producing an elegant finished garment.

Stitches and Techniques Used

The Geode Shawl utilizes several key knitting techniques:

• Stockinette stitch forms the primary fabric base, providing a smooth, classic knit surface
• Make 1 (M1) increases are worked by inserting the left-hand needle from front to back under the strand of yarn running between the last stitch on the right-hand needle and the first stitch on the left-hand needle, then knitting this stitch through the back loop to create a new stitch
• Right-leaning lifted increase (RLI) involves using the right-hand needle to lift the stitch below the next stitch on the left-hand needle, placing this lifted stitch on the left-hand needle, and knitting it
• Slip, knit 2 together, pass slipped stitch over (sk2p) is a double decrease that slips one stitch as if to knit, knits the next 2 stitches together, then passes the slipped stitch over the resulting stitch
• Slip marker (sm) and place marker (pm) techniques help track pattern repeats and shaping sections throughout the construction
• Knit through back loop (tbl) creates twisted stitches for textural variation

Materials and Specifications

The Geode Shawl is worked in 4-ply fingering weight yarn, creating a delicate, drapeable fabric. The project requires two coordinating yarns:

• Color A: KnitWhits Freia Ombré Fingering in Nightshade (75% wool, 25% nylon; 294 meters/322 yards per 75g skein); 1 skein required
• Color B: Panorama Fiber Arts Socky Bombs in Grayscale (75% wool, 15% nylon, 10% tencel; 402 meters/440 yards per 100g skein); 1 skein required

Construction requires a US #6/4mm circular needle and 14 stitch markers to track increases and pattern sections. A tapestry needle is needed for weaving in yarn ends upon completion.

Gauge and Difficulty

The project works to a gauge of 20 stitches and 28 rows over 4 inches in stockinette stitch. This shawl is rated as beginner difficulty, making it accessible to knitters new to shawl patterns while still producing a sophisticated, finished accessory.