Knit Triangular Shawl in Caron Simply Soft - Downloadable PDF

Knit Triangular Shawl in Caron Simply Soft by Lorna Miser

This free downloadable PDF knitting pattern by designer Lorna Miser guides you through creating an elegant, lightweight triangular shawl worked in Caron Simply Soft yarn. Described as a warm-weather accessory that transitions effortlessly from afternoon to evening wear, this shawl is a beautifully versatile addition to any handknit wardrobe. The pattern is rated intermediate in difficulty, making it a rewarding project for knitters who are comfortable with basic shaping and simple lace techniques.

What Is Being Made

The finished piece is a classic triangular shawl with a gently tapered body and an optional pair of ties at each end. The shawl measures 55 inches (139.5 cm) across the top edge and 30 inches (76 cm) in length. When the optional ties are included, the total top-edge measurement extends to approximately 75 inches (190.5 cm), giving the wearer extra length to wrap, knot, or drape as desired. The triangular shape is achieved through consistent paired decreases worked on every right-side row, gradually narrowing the fabric from a wide top edge down to a neat bound-off point.

Construction Method

One of the most notable features of this pattern is its lengthwise top band construction. Rather than casting on a large number of stitches and working downward immediately, the shawl begins with a narrow 5-stitch garter stitch band that is knitted lengthwise to the full width of the shawl. Stitches are then picked up along the long edge of this band, and the body of the shawl is worked downward from there. This approach produces a soft, flexible, and stable top edge that drapes naturally across the shoulders without pulling or distorting. Knitters can choose between two versions of the band: a shorter length for a shawl without ties, or a longer length to include 10-inch (25 cm) ties at each end.

Stitches and Techniques Used

The shawl body combines simple knit structure with a delicate Eyelet Pattern that runs throughout, adding visual texture and a lacy quality without requiring complex lace charts. The key stitches and techniques include:

• Garter stitch — used for the top band and as a border on all edges of the shawl body, providing a tidy, non-curling frame
• Eyelet Pattern — a four-row repeat worked over an even number of stitches, featuring yarn overs (yo) paired with purl two together (p2tog) to create a row of small, evenly spaced eyelets
• Knit two together (k2tog) — a right-leaning decrease used at the beginning of each decrease row to shape the triangle
• Slip, slip, knit (ssk) — a left-leaning decrease worked at the end of each decrease row, mirroring the k2tog for symmetrical shaping; worked by slipping two stitches knitwise one at a time, returning them to the left needle, and knitting through the back loops together
• Picking up stitches along a knitted edge — an essential intermediate technique used to transition from the top band to the shawl body
• Yarn over (yo) — used both as a decorative eyelet element and as a lace-forming increase within the pattern stitch

Pattern Stitch Detail

The Eyelet Pattern is worked over a four-row repeat as follows: two plain knit rows establish a smooth ground, followed by a right-side eyelet row where yarn overs alternate with purl-two-together decreases across the center stitches, and then another knit row to complete the repeat. In the shawl body, this eyelet row is integrated into the shaping sequence so that the fabric narrows steadily while the lace detail continues uninterrupted, giving the finished piece a light, airy appearance despite being worked in an aran weight yarn.

Materials and Tools

• Yarn: Caron Simply Soft in Off White (9702) — 2 skeins, each 170 g /