Carob Shawl in Berroco Sesame - Downloadable PDF

Carob Shawl in Berroco Sesame – Knitting Pattern by Amy Christoffers

The Carob Shawl is a beautifully designed knitted shawl created by Amy Christoffers and published as part of Berroco Book #407. This pattern is available as a downloadable PDF and is rated Intermediate in skill level, making it an ideal project for knitters who are comfortable with basic shaping and textured stitch patterns and are ready to take on something with a little more complexity and visual interest.

What Is Being Made

The finished project is a generous, elegant shawl — a versatile accessory that can be worn draped over the shoulders, wrapped around the neck, or styled in a variety of ways. The Carob Shawl is worked to finished measurements of approximately 40 inches wide at its widest end and 56 inches long, giving it a substantial, wrap-worthy size that provides both warmth and style. The shape and dimensions make it suitable for layering over casual and dressy outfits alike.

Yarn and Materials

The pattern calls for Berroco Sesame, a worsted-weight yarn, in 3 balls of colorway #7407 Soba. Each ball weighs 100 grams, making this a relatively efficient use of yarn for a shawl of this size. Berroco Sesame is a premium yarn known for its rich texture and warm, earthy tonal qualities — the colorway Soba evokes the warm, toasty brown tones suggested by the pattern's name, Carob. The worsted weight gives the shawl a satisfying drape and cozy hand feel without being overly heavy.

Needles and Notions

The pattern requires a 32-inch circular needle in size US 8 (5.00 mm), or the size needed to achieve the correct gauge. The use of a circular needle is standard for shawl knitting, as it accommodates the large number of stitches that accumulate as the piece grows. Knitters are encouraged to adjust needle size as necessary to match gauge.

Gauge

Achieving accurate gauge is emphasized in the pattern. The target gauge is 18 stitches and 24 rows equal 4 inches in the pattern stitch, measured after blocking. Blocking is an important finishing step for shawls, as it opens up the stitch pattern, evens out the fabric, and allows the piece to reach its full intended dimensions. Knitters are strongly advised to knit and block a gauge swatch before beginning the project.

Techniques and Stitches

As an intermediate-level knitting pattern, Carob incorporates a pattern stitch that gives the shawl its distinctive texture and visual character. While the full stitch breakdown is contained within the complete PDF, shawl patterns of this construction type typically involve a combination of techniques such as:

• Cast-on methods suited to shawl construction, often beginning with a small number of stitches
• Increases worked consistently to shape the shawl and build width over the length of the piece
• Textured or lace-adjacent pattern stitches that create visual interest across the body of the fabric
• Knit and purl combinations forming the repeating pattern stitch referenced in the gauge section
• Blocking as a finishing technique to set the final shape and dimensions

Pattern Format and Availability

The Carob Shawl pattern is offered as a downloadable PDF, designed and published by Berroco, Inc., based in North Smithfield, RI. The pattern PDF is updated whenever corrections are made, and knitters are encouraged to ensure they have downloaded the most current version before beginning. The design is copyright 2019 in the USA and Canada.

Who This Pattern Is For

This pattern is best suited for intermediate knitters who are familiar with working in the round on circular needles, reading a charted or written pattern stitch repeat, and executing shawl shaping through systematic increases. The combination of