Cold Pale Moon

Cold Pale Moon Shawl by Helen Kennedy

What is Being Made

Cold Pale Moon is an asymmetrical triangular shawl designed by Helen Kennedy. This downloadable knitting pattern creates a striking two-color shawl that measures approximately 92 inches (234 cm) along the broad edge and 21 inches (53 cm) deep. The shawl is worked from a small number of cast-on stitches and expands outward to create the characteristic triangular silhouette.

Knitting Direction and Construction

The shawl is worked from the top down, beginning with just a few stitches and increasing progressively toward the broad bottom edge. This top-down construction method allows knitters to easily adjust the final size by continuing to knit until the shawl reaches their desired dimensions. The asymmetrical triangular shape creates an elegant, versatile garment suitable for various styling options.

Techniques and Stitches Used

Cold Pale Moon features a central mosaic panel worked using slip stitches. This slip-stitch mosaic technique serves as the design's focal point, creating a gentle visual transition between the two contrasting yarn colors. The mosaic pattern is a popular colorwork method that uses strategic yarn overs and slip stitches to create intricate designs without the complexity of traditional stranded colorwork. The shawl is finished with a contrasting i-cord bind off, which adds a polished, decorative edge that frames the finished piece.

Color and Yarn Considerations

The pattern's success depends heavily on yarn color selection. Helen Kennedy emphasizes the importance of choosing two yarns with very strong contrast—pairing light versus dark shades or distinctly different colors. The pattern works best with solid or semi-solid yarns that allow the mosaic design to remain clearly visible. Knitters should avoid selecting two yarns that share common colors, as this will obscure the pattern details. For those interested in using variegated yarns, the pattern recommends pairing a bold variegated skein with a very different solid neutral shade to maintain pattern clarity.

Materials and Yarn Weight

Cold Pale Moon is designed for DK weight yarn. The main color (MC, pale) requires approximately 100 grams or 240 meters (262 yards). The pattern accommodates two contrasting skeins, with the second color providing the striking visual contrast that defines the shawl's aesthetic appeal. DK weight yarn creates a fabric with excellent drape, making it ideal for shawl construction.

Skill Level

This pattern is rated as intermediate difficulty, making it suitable for knitters with some experience beyond basic techniques. Familiarity with slip-stitch colorwork, increasing techniques, and i-cord bind-off methods is beneficial for successfully completing this project.