006 Anna Maria Island - KE Gulf Coast Collection - Shawl Knitting Pattern for Women in Valley Yarns Whately

Anna Maria Island Shawl Knitting Pattern – Gulf Coast Collection by Julie Turjoman

The Anna Maria Island shawl is a generously proportioned, elegantly finished wrap from the Gulf Coast Collection, designed by Julie Turjoman and published by Valley Yarns. This intermediate-level knitting pattern produces a finished piece measuring 24 inches wide by 72 inches long — a truly substantial wrap that drapes beautifully over the shoulders, doubles as a travel blanket, or adds a polished layer to office attire. The pattern is available as a downloadable PDF, making it immediately accessible for knitters ready to cast on.

What Is Being Made

The Anna Maria Island is a rectangular shawl and wrap designed for women. Its generous dimensions make it far more versatile than a standard shawl — it can be folded, draped, or wrapped in multiple ways. A defining design detail is the knitted-on I-Cord piping that runs along the edges, lending a tailored, refined finish that elevates this piece beyond a simple everyday wrap. The I-Cord edging gives the shawl clean, structured borders that contrast beautifully with the soft, lofty body of the fabric.

Construction Techniques

• Bottom-up construction: The shawl is worked from the bottom edge upward, giving knitters a logical, straightforward progression through the pattern.
• Worked flat: The body of the shawl is knitted flat, meaning it is worked back and forth in rows rather than in the round, which is well-suited to producing a rectangular fabric with clean selvedge edges.
• Seamless construction: Despite being worked flat, the design is seamless — there is no sewing or seaming required to finish the piece, keeping the construction clean and the process enjoyable.
• Stripes: The pattern incorporates a stripe sequence using three colorways of Valley Yarns Whately, creating subtle tonal variation that highlights the yarn's natural color palette.
• Knitted-on I-Cord edging: The I-Cord piping is worked directly onto the shawl rather than sewn on separately. This technique involves picking up stitches along the edge and working a small tube of knitting simultaneously, resulting in a neat, rounded border that frames the wrap with tailored elegance.

Stitches Used

• I-Cord: A small, tubular cord created by knitting a narrow strip of stitches without turning the work, then sliding them back to the beginning of the needle. When worked as an applied or knitted-on edging, it creates a polished, piped border.
• Flat knitting stitches: The body of the shawl is worked in rows, utilizing knit and purl combinations consistent with an intermediate-level pattern. The stripe sections are straightforward to execute, making color changes manageable even for knitters newer to multi-color work.

Yarn and Materials

This pattern is specifically designed for Valley Yarns Whately, a worsted-weight yarn with a fiber composition of 68% Baby Alpaca and 32% Organic Pima Cotton, sold in 50g/164-yard balls. The alpaca content gives the yarn its signature loft and warmth, while the organic Pima cotton adds structure, breathability, and a subtle sheen. Together, these fibers produce a fabric that is light yet cozy — ideal for a wrap meant to be worn across seasons and climates.

The pattern calls for three colors, all from the natural Whately palette:

• Color A – (01) Natural: 5 balls — the primary color forming the body of the shawl
• Color B – (02) Fawn: 2 balls — used in the stripe sequence
• Color C – (04) Stone: 2 balls — used in the stripe sequence

These three shades are all drawn from Whately's natural, undyed color range, creating a harmonious, earthy palette that reflects the coastal inspiration of the Gulf Coast Collection. The tonal interplay of Natural, Fawn, and Stone gives the finished shawl a quiet sophistication that suits a wide range of personal styles.

The recommended needle size is US size 9 (5.5 mm)