Whiskey River

Whiskey River Shawl by Shannon Larson

What Is Being Made

Whiskey River is a crescent-shaped knitted shawl designed by Shannon Larson of Justlivin Designs. This intermediate-level project creates a finished shawl measuring 75 inches (190 cm) long and 18 inches (46 cm) deep, making it an elegant accessory suitable for layering or draping.

Craft and Techniques

This is a knitting project that combines fundamental shawl construction methods with decorative stitch techniques. The shawl is worked using a top-down construction approach, beginning from a small number of stitches and increasing progressively to create the characteristic crescent shape.

The design incorporates two primary stitch patterns that work together to create visual interest and texture:

• Garter Stitch sections: Garter stitch forms the foundation and structural elements of the shawl. This basic knit stitch creates a reversible, textured fabric with horizontal ridges and is worked by knitting every row. Garter stitch is ideal for shawls as it lies flat and provides excellent drape.
• Dropped Elongated Stitch sections: This decorative technique adds visual complexity to the design. The dropped elongated stitch is created by wrapping the yarn around the needle three times instead of the standard single wrap when knitting a stitch. On the following row, the knitter works only one of these wraps while deliberately dropping the extra two wraps off the needle. This creates elongated stitches that produce an open, lacy appearance within the garter stitch fabric.

The shawl uses a strategic increase pattern that shapes the crescent. Increases are worked on right-side rows using M1R (make one right) and M1L (make one left) techniques positioned symmetrically within the design, adding four stitches per increase row to gradually expand the width.

Stitches Used

• Knit stitch (K)
• Make One Right (M1R)
• Make One Left (M1L)
• Garter stitch (knit every row)
• Dropped elongated stitch (yarn wrapped three times, then worked and dropped)

Materials and Tools

Yarn: The pattern calls for 2 skeins of Madelinetosh Farm Twist yarn totaling 450 yards, or any comparable DK weight yarn. DK (double knitting) weight yarn is a medium-weight option that creates fabric with good drape and stitch definition.

Needles and Notions: Knitters will need US #9 (5.5mm) circular needles in a 32-40 inch length, or a size adjusted as needed to achieve the specified gauge. Additional supplies include a darning needle for weaving in ends, 12 stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and increases, and a progress keeper or removable marker to note the current row.

Gauge

The pattern specifies a gauge of 12 stitches and 28 rows equaling 4 inches (10 cm) when worked in garter stitch on US #9/5.5mm needles. Achieving accurate gauge is essential for obtaining the intended finished dimensions.

Difficulty Level

This shawl is rated as intermediate difficulty. While the basic stitches are fundamental, knitters should be comfortable with increase techniques, reading stitch patterns, and managing multiple stitch markers. The dropped elongated stitch technique adds complexity and benefits from practice or reference materials.