Cascade shawl 44

Cascade Shawl 44 by Brian Smith Designs

Project Overview

The Cascade Shawl 44 is an intermediate-level knitted shawl designed by Brian Smith. This downloadable PDF pattern creates a generous triangular shawl with a wingspan of 196 centimeters and a maximum depth of 57 centimeters, making it an elegant wrap suitable for various occasions and seasons.

What is Being Made

This pattern produces a large crescent or triangular shawl constructed from the top down using a pick-up-and-knit method. The shawl begins with a small cast-on and expands through strategic increases and stitch manipulations to create the finished dimensions. The design features textured stitch patterns and decorative yarn-over elements that create visual interest throughout the piece.

Knitting Techniques Used

• Pick-up-and-knit construction: Stitches are picked up along the edges of the initial cast-on section to establish the working stitches for the main body
• Yarn-over increases: Decorative yarn-overs (kyok abbreviation indicates knit, yarn-over, knit all into a single stitch) create lace-like elements and contribute to the shawl's expansion
• Knit-front-and-back increases: The kfb technique is used to add stitches within rows for controlled shaping
• Decrease stitches: K4tog and P4tog decreases are employed to shape and define stitch patterns
• Blocking: The finished shawl requires blocking to achieve the stated measurements and to even out the stitches

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

• Double moss stitch: The primary stitch pattern used throughout the shawl, created by alternating knit and purl stitches in a structured repeat
• Garter stitch: Knit stitches on both right-side and wrong-side rows create selvage edges and structural elements
• Stockinette stitch: Purl sections within the pattern create contrast and texture
• Yarn-over lace: Decorative yarn-overs add openwork elements and visual dimension

Materials and Specifications

Yarn: Cascade 220 worsted weight yarn in the Sunflower colorway; 3 skeins are required to complete the project. Worsted weight yarn provides good stitch definition and drape suitable for shawl construction.

Needles and Notions: A 5mm (US size 8) circular needle measuring 120 centimeters in length is used to accommodate the increasing stitch count. Additional materials include a tapestry needle for weaving in yarn ends and a blocking kit for finishing the shawl to its final dimensions.

Gauge and Finished Dimensions

The pattern specifies a gauge of 16 stitches and 24 rows over 10 centimeters when worked in double moss stitch and measured after blocking. This gauge is essential for achieving the intended finished measurements. After blocking, the completed shawl measures 196 centimeters across the wingspan and reaches a maximum depth of 57 centimeters at its widest point, creating a substantial and versatile wrap.

Difficulty Level

Rated as intermediate, this pattern assumes knitters have experience with basic stitches and techniques. The combination of pick-up-and-knit construction, multiple stitch patterns, and various increase and decrease methods makes this suitable for knitters beyond the beginner stage who are comfortable following complex row-by-row instructions and managing stitch counts across multiple sections.