River Rock Road

River Rock Road Triangle Shawl by Taiga Hilliard Designs

Project Overview

River Rock Road is a lovely triangle shawl designed by Taiga Hilliard Designs and knit sideways using only cables and garter stitch. This intermediate-level knitting project combines classic stitch techniques with modern construction methods, making it an engaging pattern for knitters seeking a fun and fast project. The shawl is particularly suited for fall and winter wear, offering both visual interest and warmth.

Construction and Design

This shawl is constructed using a sideways knitting method, which allows knitters to build the triangular shape incrementally from a small cast-on. The pattern begins with just 2 stitches and gradually increases to create the characteristic triangle silhouette. This approach provides a satisfying progression and makes it easy to customize the finished size by adjusting the number of rows worked.

Stitches and Techniques

River Rock Road features a limited but effective stitch palette that keeps the pattern accessible while maintaining visual appeal:

• Garter stitch – forms the foundation and creates a textured, reversible fabric
• Cable stitches – specifically C4F (cable 4 front) adds dimension and interest to the shawl
• Purl stitches – used strategically to create contrast and definition within the cable sections
• Yarn overs and increases – including Kfb (knit front and back) and M1 (make one) techniques to shape the triangle

Yarn and Materials

The pattern is worked in super chunky weight yarn, specifically using Malabrigo Rasta as the recommended yarn choice. Super bulky yarn creates a quick-knitting project that produces a substantial, cozy finished garment. The pattern is highly adaptable and can be adjusted to any weight of yarn, allowing knitters to customize the shawl to their preferences or available materials.

Needles: US size 19 (15.00 mm) needles are recommended for the super chunky gauge.

Gauge: 6 stitches over 4 inches in stockinette stitch.

Yardage: 180 yards of yarn for the featured version, though yardage is adjustable based on desired finished size and yarn weight modifications.

Shawl Cuff Detail

The shawl features a cuff design credited to Knox Mountain Knit Co, adding a refined finishing touch to the project.

Pattern Flexibility

One of the key strengths of River Rock Road is its versatility. The pattern can easily be adjusted to accommodate different yarn weights and desired finished sizes, making it accessible to knitters with varying skill levels and yarn stash options. This flexibility extends the pattern's appeal and allows for multiple interpretations of the same design.