Shawls and Hats Knitted in King Cole Subtle Drifter Chunky - 5685 - Downloadable PDF

Shawls and Hats Knitted in King Cole Subtle Drifter Chunky – Pattern 5685

This downloadable PDF knitting pattern from King Cole, reference 5685, presents a collection of shawls and hats worked in the beautifully variegated King Cole Subtle Drifter Chunky yarn. Designed at an intermediate difficulty level, the pattern offers knitters the chance to create stylish, cosy accessories using chunky-weight yarn and a satisfying mix of classic and textured stitch techniques. A portion of every purchase contributes to the Pink Ribbon Foundation, making this a purchase with purpose.

About the Yarn and Materials

All designs in this pattern are worked in King Cole Subtle Drifter Chunky, a chunky-weight yarn celebrated for its softly drifting, self-striping colour effect that adds visual interest without requiring complex colourwork. The pattern specifies both 5 mm and 6 mm knitting needles, including a 5 mm circular needle for the shawl, as well as a cable needle (CN) for the cable panel sections.

The Shawl

The shawl is a substantial and impressive project, cast on with 221 stitches loosely using a 5 mm circular needle and the thumb method. It is worked flat on the circular needle to accommodate the large stitch count comfortably. The construction combines several distinct stitch areas, giving the finished piece a rich, layered texture.

Techniques and Stitches Used in the Shawl

• Thumb method cast-on – used for a loose, flexible edge suited to chunky yarn
• 1x1 Rib – formed by alternating knit and purl stitches across rows; the shawl begins with 20 rows of 1x1 rib on 5 mm needles before the main body is introduced
• Irish Moss Stitch – a classic reversible texture stitch worked on 6 mm needles; the tension for this section is stated as 14 stitches and 21 rows to 10 cm over Irish moss stitch
• Cable Panel – a 10-stitch cable panel measuring 5 cm (2 inches) is incorporated into the design; stitches are slipped onto a cable needle and held at the back while the crossing is worked, creating a classic rope-cable effect
• Shaping decreases – the shawl is shaped using s1, k1, psso (slip 1, knit 1, pass slipped stitch over) and k2tog at the ends of right-side rows, and p2tog with p2togtbl (purl 2 together through back of loop) on wrong-side rows, creating neat, mirrored decreases along the edges
• Internal shaping row – a decrease row within the rib section uses p2tog at regular intervals to reduce from 221 stitches to 74 stitches before the cable and Irish moss section begins, shaping the piece elegantly

Stitch Pattern Detail – Cable and Irish Moss

The main body of the shawl features a combination of Irish moss stitch panels flanking a central cable panel. Irish moss stitch is worked over a four-row repeat alternating knit and purl placement, producing a firm, slightly raised fabric with excellent drape at chunky weight. The cable is positioned centrally, framed by reverse stocking stitch or moss stitch borders, and is crossed by slipping stitches to the cable needle held at the back — a technique that produces a right-leaning cable cross. This combination of soft texture and structured cable gives the shawl a sophisticated, hand-crafted appearance that showcases the colour drift of the Subtle Drifter Chunky yarn to full effect.

The Hats

The pattern also includes hat designs worked in King Cole Subtle Drifter Chunky, using 5