Hawthorn Shawl in Berroco Pima Soft - Downloadable PDF

Hawthorn Shawl in Berroco Pima Soft – Pattern Summary

The Hawthorn Shawl is a beautifully understated rectangular knitted shawl designed by Åsa Buchta and published by Berroco. Available as a downloadable PDF, this pattern is rated Easy, making it an ideal project for beginner and confident beginner knitters looking to create a wearable, elegant accessory with minimal complexity. The finished shawl measures approximately 19 inches wide by 66½ inches long, producing a generous, wrap-worthy rectangle that drapes beautifully around the shoulders or neck.

What Is Being Made

The Hawthorn Shawl is a long rectangular shawl or wrap, falling into the category of shawls and wraps. Its elongated dimensions make it versatile enough to wear as a classic shawl, a scarf-style wrap, or even a light shoulder covering. The design balances simplicity with subtle textural interest, making it a satisfying knit from cast-on to bind-off.

Construction Method

The shawl is worked flat, meaning it is knitted back and forth in rows rather than in the round. Construction begins at one short end and progresses lengthwise to the opposite short end. This straightforward approach means there is no seaming, no shaping, and no complex construction to navigate — the knitter simply works the established stitch pattern repeat across the full length of the piece. The flat, rectangular format is ideal for beginners who want to focus on learning stitch patterns without managing increases, decreases, or joins.

Stitches and Techniques Used

Despite its beginner rating, the Hawthorn Shawl introduces knitters to a satisfying variety of stitches and techniques that build a solid foundational skill set:

• Seed Stitch: The shawl opens and closes with a border of seed stitch, worked by alternating knit and purl stitches across every row. Seed stitch creates a firm, non-curling, subtly bumpy texture and is used here both as a decorative border and as a structural element to keep the edges flat.
• Stockinette Stitch with Seed Stitch Borders: The main body of each pattern repeat is worked in stockinette (knit on the right side, purl on the wrong side), framed on both sides by a six-stitch seed stitch border. This combination keeps the edges tidy while allowing the center to have a smooth, classic knitted fabric.
• Yarn Over (yo): Yarn overs are used within the lace-inspired eyelet rows to create deliberate decorative holes in the fabric, adding a delicate, open quality to the design.
• K2tog (Knit Two Together): A standard right-leaning decrease paired with the yarn over to maintain stitch count while forming the eyelet pattern.
• SSK (Slip, Slip, Knit): A left-leaning decrease that mirrors the k2tog and is used in alternating eyelet rows to create a balanced, symmetrical lace effect.
• Eyelet Rows: Two distinct eyelet rows appear within each 34-row pattern repeat — one using k2, yo, k2tog and the other using SSK, yo, k2 — giving the shawl its characteristic gentle lace detailing reminiscent of hawthorn blossoms.

The 34-row pattern repeat is worked thirteen times in total, building the full length of the shawl in a rhythmic, meditative sequence that becomes easy to memorize after the first few repeats.

Pattern Structure

Each 34-row repeat is organized as follows:

• Rows 1–14: Stockinette stitch with seed stitch side borders — smooth, plain knitting that builds the body of each section.
• Row 15: First eyelet row using yo and k2tog for a right-leaning lace detail.
• Row 16: Wrong-side row maintaining the established border and purl structure.
• Row 17: Second eyelet row using SSK and yo for a left-