Ponderosa shawl

Ponderosa Shawl by Malloo

What Is Being Made

The Ponderosa shawl is a triangular knit shawl designed by independent knitwear designer Malloo. This downloadable PDF pattern creates a finished shawl measuring 142 cm (56") wide and 71 cm (28") long at the tip, making it a generous wrap-style accessory suitable for layering or wearing as a statement piece.

Craft and Technique

This is a knitting project worked in the round using circular needles. The shawl is constructed using fundamental knitting techniques combined with strategic increases to create the triangular silhouette. The design incorporates a garter tab cast-on method, which provides a neat, finished edge at the beginning of the project. Increases are worked throughout using make-one stitches to shape the shawl as it expands from the cast-on edge.

Stitches Used

• Stockinette stitch: The primary stitch pattern, created by alternating knit and purl rows, forming the smooth, classic fabric base
• Garter stitch: Used for the cast-on tab, created by knitting every row for a textured, reversible finish
• Make one right (m1r): An invisible increase worked by picking up the bar between stitches from back to front, then knitting into the front of the picked-up stitch
• Make one left (m1l): An invisible increase worked by picking up the bar between stitches from front to back, then knitting into the back of the picked-up stitch
• Knit (k) and purl (p): The fundamental stitches that form all knit fabric

Materials Required

The Ponderosa shawl is worked in super bulky yarn weight (the pattern specifically uses Gazzal Viking as the recommended yarn). Approximately 400 meters or 430 yards of yarn is needed to complete the project. Construction requires US 11 / 8.0 mm circular needles, or the size needed to obtain the correct gauge. Additional materials include a yarn needle for weaving in ends and scissors for cutting yarn.

Gauge and Sizing

The pattern is worked to a gauge of 9 stitches and 16 rows over 4 inches (10 cm) in stockinette stitch. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for obtaining the finished measurements of 142 cm wide by 71 cm at the tip.

Difficulty Level

This pattern is rated as beginner-friendly, making it an excellent choice for knitters new to shawl construction. While the pattern uses increase techniques and circular needle work, the straightforward stitch patterns and clear construction method make it accessible to those with basic knitting skills.