Marigold

Marigold Knit Shawl by Brian Smith Designs

What is Being Made

The Marigold is an intermediate-level knit shawl designed by Brian Smith Designs. This downloadable PDF pattern creates a triangular shawl with generous finished dimensions of 132 centimeters (52 inches) across the wingspan and 65 centimeters (25.5 inches) at its widest point. The design is suitable for knitters with some experience who are ready to work with increases and shaping techniques.

Craft and Primary Techniques

This project is created using the knitting craft. The shawl construction employs a strategic increase-based shaping method that builds from a small cast-on to create the triangular silhouette characteristic of modern shawl design. The pattern uses directional increases and slip-stitch edging to create clean, finished edges throughout the knitting process.

Stitches Used

The Marigold pattern incorporates several fundamental and intermediate knitting stitches:

• Garter stitch forms the main fabric of the shawl, created by knitting every row for a textured, reversible surface
• Knit front and back (kfb) increases are used strategically to expand the shawl width in designated sections
• Knit two together (k2tog) decreases shape the fabric as needed
• Yarn forward (yf) and yarn over (yo) stitches create decorative elements and additional shaping
• Slip stitches, including slip three stitches purlwise (sl3) and slip one stitch purlwise with yarn over (sl1yo), form the finished edge treatment
• Purl stitches are used selectively throughout the pattern

Materials and Tools Required

The Marigold pattern specifies particular materials to achieve the intended finished dimensions and fabric characteristics. The yarn used is Baa Ram Ewe Titus in the shade Brass band, with two skeins required to complete the project. This is a 4-ply weight yarn, which creates a lightweight, drape-friendly fabric ideal for shawl construction.

Needles required include a 4 millimeter circular needle measuring 120 centimeters and a 4.5 millimeter circular needle also measuring 120 centimeters. The longer circular needle length accommodates the increasing stitch count as the shawl expands. Additional notions include a tapestry needle for finishing, a blocking kit for shaping the finished shawl, and a row counter to track progress through the pattern sections.

Gauge and Finishing

The pattern specifies a gauge of 18 stitches and 36 rows over 10 centimeters (4 inches) when working garter stitch on a 4 millimeter needle. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for the shawl to reach its intended finished measurements. The shawl requires blocking to achieve the final dimensions and to even out the garter stitch texture, which is a standard finishing step for this type of triangular shawl design.