Sea Dragon Collar & Shawl

Sea Dragon Collar & Shawl by Ambah O'Brien

What is Being Made

Sea Dragon is a versatile knitted accessory inspired by sea creatures, designed to be worn either as a comfortable neck scarf or draped around the shoulders. The pattern offers multiple construction options to suit different preferences and yarn weights, making it an adaptable project for various skill levels and yarn stashes.

Design and Construction Method

This shawl is knit from side to side using short rows, which create a distinctive shallow crescent shape. This construction technique allows the piece to grow horizontally while the short rows add shaping and dimension, resulting in comfortable proportions that work equally well as a collar or shoulder wrap.

Available Options and Sizing

Sea Dragon is available in three distinct configurations:

• Fingering Weight Small Shawl: Wingspan of 59 inches (147.5 cm) with a depth of 11 inches (27 cm)
• Fingering Weight Large Shawl: Wingspan of 80 inches (200 cm) with a depth of 14 inches (27 cm)
• DK Weight Options: Available as either a Collar or Shawl in the heavier yarn weight

Yarn Requirements and Materials

The pattern accommodates multiple yarn weight choices, allowing knitters to select based on their preferred finished fabric and available materials:

• DK Weight Shawl: Approximately 400 yards (366 meters) of main color and 90 yards (83 meters) of contrasting color
• DK Weight Collar: Approximately 110 yards (100.5 meters) of main color and 24 yards (22 meters) of contrasting color
• Fingering Weight Small Shawl: Approximately 225 yards (205 meters) of main color and 90 yards (83 meters) of contrasting color
• Fingering Weight Large Shawl: Approximately 740 yards (677 meters) of main color and 100 yards (92 meters) of contrasting color

The pattern example features Sunshine Yarns Merino DK, a 100% superwash Merino yarn available at 225 yards per 100 grams. The sample shown uses Peach Fuzz Gradient as the main color with Pollinate as the contrasting color.

Knitting Techniques

Sea Dragon employs short row shaping as its primary construction technique. This method involves working partial rows rather than complete rows across all stitches, creating gradual increases in width and the characteristic crescent silhouette. Short rows are a fundamental shaping method in modern shawl design and allow for elegant, curved pieces without increases or decreases along edges.

Customization and Yarn Flexibility

The pattern encourages creative yarn choices and stash-busting opportunities. Knitters can showcase their favorite yarns by working each segment in a different color, creating a multi-colored effect. Alternatively, the design works beautifully with gradient yarns or variegated options that add visual interest throughout the piece. Solid color combinations are equally effective for a more classic presentation.

Skill Level

Designed as a beginner-friendly project, Sea Dragon is accessible to knitters new to shawl construction while offering enough visual interest and customization options to appeal to more experienced crafters. The side-to-side construction and short row shaping provide an excellent introduction to these fundamental shawlette techniques.