Extended Waves Shawl

Extended Waves Shawl by Fiona Morris Designs

Project Overview

The Extended Waves Shawl is an intermediate-level knitting pattern designed by Fiona Morris. This downloadable PDF pattern creates a beautiful triangular shawl using a two-colour knitting technique that produces striking wave-like patterns across the finished piece. The design showcases the visual impact of colour work combined with textural stitch patterns, making it an engaging project for knitters with some experience.

What is Being Made

This pattern produces a large shawl constructed using short-row shaping to create the characteristic extended waves effect. The shawl is worked in two contrasting colours, allowing the wave pattern to emerge through strategic colour placement. The sample shown in the pattern photographs has been knitted up to 22 ridges in the primary colour, demonstrating the expandable nature of the design that can be customized to the desired finished size.

Knitting Techniques Used

Short rows form the foundation of this pattern's construction, allowing the shawl to develop its distinctive wave shape and dimensional drape. The German double stitch method is employed as a key technique, which creates smooth transitions and prevents the gaps that can occur with traditional short-row methods. This advanced stitch technique ensures a polished, professional finish to the final garment.

The two-colour approach adds visual complexity and interest to the relatively simple stitch structure, demonstrating how colour work can transform a basic knitting technique into a sophisticated design.

Stitches Used

Garter stitch is the primary stitch throughout this pattern. Garter stitch—created by knitting every row—produces a reversible, textured fabric with horizontal ridges. This stitch is ideal for shawls as it creates excellent drape and is forgiving for knitters to work. The combination of garter stitch with the short-row shaping and two-colour technique creates visual interest while remaining accessible to intermediate-level knitters.

Yarn and Materials

This pattern is designed with flexibility in mind and can be worked in multiple yarn weights, including 3-ply, 4-ply, DK, Aran, and lace-weight yarns. The yarn weight choice directly affects the finished size and drape of the shawl.

Sample 1: Two 200-gram cakes of Stylecraft Batik Swirl (80% acrylic, 20% wool, approximately 550 metres per cake) in Ocean Blue and Meadow. This acrylic-blend yarn provides excellent colour variation and durability.

Sample 2: Two 100-gram balls of Schoppel Crazy Zauberball (75% wool, 25% nylon, approximately 420 metres per ball) in colours 2292 Sternschnuppe and 2254 Wolke 8. This wool-blend yarn offers warmth and elasticity.

General yarn requirements: Two yarns of the same weight with a minimum of 400 to 600 metres per colour are needed to complete the shawl. This flexibility allows knitters to select from a wide range of yarn options while maintaining pattern integrity. The choice between acrylic-blend and wool-blend yarns affects the final feel, weight, and care requirements of the finished shawl.

Pattern Details

This is a downloadable PDF pattern suitable for intermediate knitters. The pattern is the intellectual property of Fiona Morris Designs and is intended for personal use only. Items created from this pattern are not to be sold for profit, ensuring the designer's rights are respected.