Show Us Your Stuff

Show Us Your Stuff Shawl by Sharon Hartley

What Is Being Made

Show Us Your Stuff is a beginner-friendly triangular shawl design created by independent designer Sharon Hartley. This knitted shawl is specifically engineered to showcase the visual beauty of variegated or speckled hand-dyed fingering weight yarn. The design celebrates the unique characteristics of artisanal, hand-dyed yarns by featuring multiple stitch textures that each highlight colors and depth in different ways.

Design Philosophy and Customization

The shawl patterns are intentionally designed to be mixed and matched according to the knitter's preferences. Crafters can choose to use long repeats, short repeats, all pattern sections together, or just a selection of them. This flexible approach means that each finished shawl will be unique, reflecting both the individual characteristics of the hand-dyed yarn used and the personal pattern choices made during construction. The design is ideal for knitters who want to create a one-of-a-kind accessory that truly showcases their chosen yarn.

Finished Dimensions

The sample shawl measures 46 inches (145 cm) tip to tip and 16 inches (48 cm) deep, making it a substantial triangular wrap suitable for draping and wearing. The sample uses approximately 438 yards (402 m) of yarn, though yardage requirements may vary depending on which pattern combinations are selected.

Knitting Techniques and Stitches

This beginner-level design employs fundamental knitting techniques that are accessible to newer knitters while still creating visually interesting results. Key stitches and techniques used include:

• Knit stitch (k): The basic foundation stitch used throughout the shawl
• Knit through the back loop (k1tbl): A technique that twists the stitch and creates subtle texture variations
• Knit two together (k2tog): A decrease stitch used to shape the triangular form and create stitch pattern definition
• Cast on (CO): The foundation row technique for beginning the shawl

The combination of these basic stitches creates multiple distinct stitch textures throughout the shawl, each of which interacts differently with the colors and variations in hand-dyed yarn.

Materials and Tools

This pattern is designed for use with 3-ply and 4-ply weight yarn, which corresponds to fingering weight yarn commonly used in hand-dyed artisanal skeins. The sample was worked on US 5 (3.75 mm) needles. Knitters will need one or more skeins of hand-dyed fingering weight yarn, with the exact quantity depending on the final shawl dimensions and pattern selections made during construction.

Format and Designer Information

Show Us Your Stuff is available as a downloadable PDF pattern designed by Sharon Hartley. The pattern was originally published in November 2019. Knitters can find more information about the designer through Ravelry at ravelry.com/designers/sharon-hartley, and can explore additional designs through the designer's Etsy shop at etsy.com/shop/riverroadknits or website at riverroadknits.com.