Downtime

Downtime Shawl by Kelly Spenhoff

What Is Being Made

Downtime is a triangular knit shawl designed as an accessible, portable project perfect for casual knitting sessions. The finished shawl measures 57 inches (145 centimeters) wide and 26.25 inches (67 centimeters) tall, making it a generous wrap suitable for layering or draping. This one-size design is created as a downloadable PDF pattern, allowing knitters to begin their project immediately upon purchase.

Techniques and Construction

The shawl employs several intermediate-level knitting techniques that create visual interest while remaining straightforward enough to work on without constant pattern reference. A defining feature is the i-cord edge that frames the shawl on both sides—the first three and last three stitches of each row form a neat, finished border that is simple to memorize once established, making the pattern ideal for picking up during downtime without losing your place in the work.

The pattern uses an i-cord cast on to begin and an i-cord bind off to finish, creating a cohesive, professional appearance throughout. The Kitchener stitch is incorporated for seamless joining, adding refinement to the final garment. These techniques combine to produce a shawl that looks more complex than its straightforward construction suggests.

Stitches Used

• Knit (k) – the primary stitch forming the fabric
• Purl (p) – used selectively within the pattern
• Knit front and back (kfb) – an increase technique for shaping
• Slip 1 with yarn in front (sl1wyif) – creates a neat edge stitch
• Garter stitch – the main fabric structure, created by knitting every row, producing a textured, reversible surface
• I-cord – used for both cast-on, bind-off, and edge definition
• Kitchener stitch – for grafting live stitches together invisibly

Materials and Specifications

Yarn: The pattern calls for 800 yards of Dream in Color Smooshy with Cashmere in the Mermaid Shoes colorway. This is a fingering-weight yarn (4-ply) supplied in a 4-ounce skein containing 400 yards, requiring two skeins to complete the project. The cashmere blend provides softness and drape suitable for a shawl worn close to the skin.

Needles and Notions: A US 4 circular needle measuring 24 inches is used to accommodate the growing width of the triangular shawl. Additional notions include one stitch marker for tracking pattern repeats and a yarn needle for weaving in ends and executing the Kitchener stitch.

Gauge and Difficulty

The pattern is worked at a gauge of 23 stitches and 40 rows over 4 inches in garter stitch. This gauge is achievable with fingering-weight yarn on US 4 needles and should be verified before beginning to ensure proper finished measurements. The project is rated as intermediate difficulty, making it suitable for knitters who have mastered basic stitches and are ready to tackle shaping techniques and decorative edges.

Despite its intermediate classification, Downtime is intentionally designed to be approachable for casual knitting, with repeating stitch patterns that become automatic with practice, allowing knitters to work on the project during leisure time without requiring constant attention to complex instructions.