Tyne Trail

Tyne Trail Shawl by Taiga Hilliard Designs

Project Overview

The Tyne Trail is a uniquely constructed knit shawl and wrap featuring an innovative multi-directional construction method. This intermediate-level knitting project combines knitting in the round, flat knitting, and sideways construction techniques to create a finished piece measuring 96 inches by 17 inches. The design offers exceptional versatility in color application, allowing knitters to choose between a vibrant 10-contrast-color palette, a simplified 2-color scheme, or a scrappy mixed-color approach.

What Is Being Made

The Tyne Trail is a rectangular shawl and wrap designed by independent designer Taiga Hilliard. This garment functions as both a decorative shawl and a practical wrap, offering generous dimensions suitable for draping around the shoulders or wearing as a larger accessory piece.

Construction Techniques

This pattern employs a distinctive multi-directional construction approach that sets it apart from traditional shawl designs. The Tyne Trail is knit in three different directions:

• In the round: Sections are worked circularly using double-pointed needles (DPNs), two circular needles, or the Magic Loop method
• Flat: Portions are worked back and forth in flat knitting
• Sideways: Additional sections are constructed by working perpendicular to the primary direction

This combination of construction methods creates visual interest and allows for the unique color placement throughout the design. Section A begins with a small circular cast-on that increases through knit-front-and-back (KFB) increases, establishing the foundation for the subsequent sections.

Stitches and Stitch Techniques

The Tyne Trail incorporates fundamental knitting stitches and techniques appropriate for intermediate knitters:

• Knit stitch: The primary stitch throughout the pattern
• Knit-front-and-back (KFB): An increase technique used to expand stitch counts, particularly in the initial circular section
• Stitch markers: Essential for tracking the start of round and increases throughout the pattern

The pattern uses clear color notation (MC for Main Color, C1 through C10 for contrast colors) to guide color changes throughout construction.

Yarn and Materials

The Tyne Trail is designed to be knit with Mary Gavans Pepino yarn in sport weight. The total yardage requirement is 775 yards, distributed as follows:

• Main Color (MC): 290 yards
• All Contrast Colors combined: 485 yards, with individual color requirements ranging from 45 to 60 yards each

Knitters have flexibility in yarn selection through three colorway options: a coordinated 10-contrast-color palette, a simplified 2-color combination, or a scrappy approach using mixed leftover yarns. This flexibility makes the pattern accessible to knitters with varying stash collections.

Needles and Gauge

The pattern calls for US size 9 (5.50 mm) needles. The working gauge is 12 stitches over 4 inches, which should be verified before beginning the project to ensure the finished dimensions of 96 inches by 17 inches are achieved. Given the multi-directional construction, knitters may use DPNs, two circular needles, or the Magic Loop method depending on their preference and the specific section being worked.

Difficulty Level

Rated as an intermediate project, the Tyne Trail requires knitters to be comfortable with circular knitting methods, increase techniques, and color changes. The multi-directional construction adds complexity beyond basic shawl patterns, making it suitable for knitters with foundational skills who are ready to explore more advanced construction methods.

Format and Availability

The Tyne Trail is available as a downloadable PDF pattern from Taiga Hilliard Designs, allowing immediate access to the complete instructions and color specifications.