New Worlds

New Worlds Shawl by Afifa Knits Designs

Project Overview

New Worlds is a knitted shawl designed by Afifa Knits Designs for the Yarnover Truck and Apple Tree Knits Nerd Club. This downloadable PDF pattern creates a triangular shawl with a 59-inch wingspan and 18-inch depth after blocking. The design draws inspiration from Doctor Who, specifically the 10th Doctor and his companion Rose, incorporating thematic elements throughout the construction that celebrate the interconnectedness of these characters and the time-traveling adventures of the Tardis.

What is Being Made

The New Worlds shawl is a triangular wrap-style shawl worked from the top down. The finished piece measures approximately 59 inches across the wingspan with an 18-inch depth, making it a versatile accessory suitable for layering or wearing as a statement piece. The shawl is designed to be worn draped across the shoulders or pinned at the center front.

Design and Inspiration

This pattern celebrates fandom through thoughtful stitch placement and symbolic design choices. The increases are strategically worked on rows that are multiples of 10, a deliberate nod to the Doctor Who theme. The stitch patterns themselves are worked over multiples of 10 stitches, creating a cohesive numerical theme throughout the construction. Mock cable stitches represent the interconnectedness between the Doctor and Rose, while the distinctive loopy bind off creates a visual representation of the Tardis moving through time and space.

Knitting Techniques and Stitches

This beginner-friendly pattern employs several fundamental knitting techniques that create visual interest without requiring advanced skills:

• Garter Stitch: The base fabric is worked in garter stitch (knitting every row), which creates a textured, reversible fabric with horizontal ridges. This stitch is ideal for beginners and provides excellent drape in shawls.
• Yarn Overs: Increases are created using yarn overs, which not only add stitches but also create decorative eyelet holes that contribute to the shawl's lacy aesthetic.
• Mock Cables: Cable-like patterns are incorporated without the complexity of traditional cable work, making this pattern accessible to knitters still building their skills.
• Loopy Bind Off: The pattern concludes with a distinctive loopy bind off technique that creates a playful, dimensional edge reminiscent of the Tardis's movement through spacetime.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The New Worlds shawl requires approximately 500 yards of fingering weight yarn (4-ply). The sample shown in the pattern was knitted using Apple Tree Knits Purl Jams Luxe in the colorway Dr Who. This yarn blend consists of 51% mulberry silk and 49% Merino, creating a luxurious fiber content that drapes beautifully and has excellent stitch definition. The silk-merino blend provides both softness and durability, making this shawl suitable for frequent wear.

Needles and Notions

The pattern is worked on US size 5 (3.75 mm) needles, which is the appropriate needle size for fingering weight yarn. A tapestry needle is required for weaving in ends and finishing the shawl after blocking.

Gauge

The pattern specifies a gauge of 36 stitches by 48 rows over 4 inches in garter stitch on US size 5 needles. However, the designer notes that gauge is not critical for this project, making it an excellent choice for beginners who may struggle with achieving precise gauge measurements. The flexible nature of shawl construction means that variations in gauge will simply result in a slightly larger or smaller finished piece rather than fit issues.

Skill Level

Rated as a beginner pattern, New Worlds is accessible to knitters new to shawl construction. The straightforward garter stitch base combined with simple increase techniques makes this an ideal project for developing fundamental skills while creating a wearable, meaningful finished object.