Rocket Shawl in Rowan Creative Linen - ZB298-00016-UK - Downloadable PDF

Rocket Shawl in Rowan Creative Linen by Lisa Richardson – Knitting Pattern Summary

The Rocket Shawl is a beautifully elongated knitted wrap designed by Lisa Richardson and published by Rowan as a downloadable PDF pattern (reference ZB298-00016-UK). This is a sophisticated yet accessible project rated at an intermediate skill level, making it an ideal choice for knitters who are comfortable with basic techniques and ready to explore simple lace-style detailing. The finished piece is a generously sized rectangular wrap measuring 65.5 cm (25¾ in) wide and 200 cm (78¾ in) long, making it a versatile accessory that can be worn draped over the shoulders, wrapped around the neck, or styled as a lightweight scarf.

What Is Being Made

The Rocket Shawl is a long rectangular wrap — sometimes referred to interchangeably as a shawl or wrap — designed to be a lightweight, elegant accessory. Its generous dimensions mean it can be worn in multiple ways across seasons. The pattern was photographed in Apple 629, showcasing the yarn's natural texture and the subtle visual rhythm of the stitch pattern.

Yarn and Materials

The pattern calls for Rowan Creative Linen, a DK weight yarn, used in a quantity of 6 x 100 gm balls. Rowan Creative Linen is a distinctive blend that combines the natural breathability and drape of linen with the softness of cotton, giving finished knits a relaxed, slightly rustic quality with beautiful stitch definition. This fibre content makes the wrap particularly well-suited to spring and summer wear, or as a lightweight layering piece in transitional seasons. The yarn's subtle texture enhances the open, eyelet-style pattern rows, adding visual interest without overwhelming the design.

• Yarn: Rowan Creative Linen
• Weight: DK
• Quantity: 6 x 100 gm balls
• Colourway shown: Apple 629

Needles

The pattern requires one pair of 4½mm (UK no. 7 / US 7) straight needles. This needle size works in harmony with the DK weight of Rowan Creative Linen to achieve the correct tension and the open, airy quality of the stitch pattern.

Tension

Achieving the correct tension is important for matching the finished dimensions. The stated tension is 18 stitches and 25 rows to 10 cm, measured over the pattern using 4½mm (US 7) needles. Knitters are encouraged to work a tension swatch before beginning, particularly because the wrap's length and width depend on consistent stitch gauge throughout.

Techniques Used

The Rocket Shawl is constructed as a flat, rectangular piece worked from one short end to the other. The construction is straightforward — there is no shaping, no seaming, and no complex finishing — making it an approachable project for intermediate knitters looking to practise lace-adjacent techniques in a low-pressure context.

• Casting on loosely: The pattern begins with a loose cast on of 118 stitches, which is important for maintaining the open, relaxed edge of the wrap.
• Garter stitch: The first two rows are worked in garter stitch (knit every row), establishing a neat foundation before the eyelet pattern begins.
• Double yarn forward (yfwd twice): A key technique in this pattern, the double yarn forward creates elongated, decorative eyelets that form the signature visual feature of the Rocket design. This involves wrapping the yarn around the needle twice before working the next stitch, producing an extra-large loop that, when worked on the following row, creates an open, ladder-like hole. Knitters new to this technique should pay attention to the pattern note referenced in the instructions.
• K2tog (knit two together): A basic right-leaning decrease used consistently throughout the pattern in combination with the double yarn forward. Each decrease is paired with the double yarn forward to maintain the stitch count while creating the eyelet effect.
• Six-row repeat: The stitch pattern is built on a repeating sequence of six