Riazor Beach

Riazor Beach Shawl by Estrella Hernandez

Project Overview

The Riazor Beach Shawl is an intermediate-level knitting design that creates a generous triangular wrap measuring 67 inches by 28 inches. This downloadable PDF pattern is ideal for knitters seeking a project that combines colorwork with lace techniques in a wearable, versatile garment.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a large shawl suitable for beach wear or everyday layering. The finished dimensions of 67 inches by 28 inches make it an excellent size for draping over shoulders or wrapping around the body. The design features a relaxed construction method where gauge is intentionally flexible, allowing knitters to customize the final size based on personal preference and yarn availability.

Techniques Used

The Riazor Beach Shawl employs several intermediate knitting techniques that build throughout the pattern:

• Two-color stranded knitting: The pattern alternates between two distinct yarn colors every two rows, creating a rhythmic color pattern throughout the shawl
• Yarn overs (yo): Used consistently to create lace openings and increase stitches in a controlled manner
• Decreases: Techniques including k2tog (knit two together) and k3tog (knit three together) are used to shape the shawl and create lace motifs
• Repeat sequences: The pattern incorporates repeating stitch sequences, particularly lace repeats using yarn overs and decreases in combination
• Edge stitches: Garter stitch edges (knit stitches on both sides) frame the shawl, providing structure and a finished appearance

Stitches Used

The pattern utilizes fundamental knitting stitches combined in strategic ways:

• Knit (k): The primary stitch used throughout the main body
• Purl (p): Creates textural contrast, particularly in edge stitches and certain pattern rows
• Yarn over (yo): Creates decorative lace holes and serves as an increase method
• Knit two together (k2tog): A right-leaning decrease used to balance yarn overs and shape the lace pattern
• Knit three together (k3tog): A more dramatic decrease that creates the distinctive lace motifs in the pattern repeats
• Garter stitch: Knit on every row, used for the edge stitches that frame the design

Materials and Tools

The Riazor Beach Shawl requires two coordinating fingering-weight yarns that work together to create the two-color effect:

• Color 1: Plucky Bello Fingering in High Cotton (380 yards per 105 grams)
• Color 2: Plucky Crew in Fondant (300 yards per 115 grams)
• Needles: US 6 / 4mm needles, 16-inch circular needles recommended for managing the increasing stitch count

The pattern notes that gauge is not critical for this project, offering flexibility for knitters who wish to adjust yarn quantities or final dimensions. This approach makes the pattern more accessible and allows for creative substitution with similarly weighted fingering-weight yarns in complementary colors.