Oleander Shawl in Berroco Folio - Downloadable PDF

Oleander Shawl in Berroco Folio — Knitting Pattern Summary

The Oleander Shawl is a beautifully constructed square shawl designed by Emily Nora O'Neil and published by Berroco as part of Booklet #372. Rated Intermediate in difficulty, this downloadable PDF knitting pattern produces a single, generous square wrap with finished measurements of approximately 42 inches square after blocking — making it a versatile, substantial accessory suitable for year-round wear.

What Is Being Made

The Oleander is a large square shawl worked in the round from the center outward, a construction method that creates elegant symmetry across all four quadrants. The finished piece is blocked to its full dimensions, which is an essential finishing step for achieving the intended drape and stitch definition. At 42 inches square, it functions equally well as a wrap, a shawl, or a decorative shoulder covering.

Techniques Used

• Knitting in the round — the shawl is worked circularly, beginning on double pointed needles and transitioning to circular needles as the stitch count grows
• Center-out construction — stitches are cast on at the center and increased outward, a technique that distributes the design evenly across four sections marked by stitch markers
• Provisional cast-on — waste yarn is specified in the materials list, indicating a provisional cast-on method is used to begin the center of the shawl
• Blocking — wet or steam blocking is essential to open up the fabric and achieve the full 42-inch square measurement
• Crochet finishing — a crochet hook is listed among the required tools, suggesting a crocheted bind-off or edging is used to finish the shawl's perimeter
• Stitch marker management — four stitch markers are used throughout, with one in a contrasting color to mark the beginning of the round, helping knitters track the four quadrant increase sections

Stitches Used

• Reverse Stockinette stitch — the gauge is measured in Reverse Stockinette stitch, meaning the purl side of the fabric is used as the right side, giving the shawl a soft, textured surface
• Additional stitch patterns typical of center-out square shawl construction, including yarn-over increases to shape the four quadrants

Materials Required

• Yarn: 7 balls of Berroco Folio, 50 grams per ball, in colorway #4516 Tea Rose. Berroco Folio is a DK weight yarn, known for its soft, fluid drape — an ideal choice for a flowing shawl or wrap.
• Needles: One set of 5 double pointed knitting needles (DPNs), size US 5 (3.75 mm) for the cast-on and early rounds; 24-inch and 36-inch circular knitting needles, size US 5 (3.75 mm) for working the body of the shawl as stitch counts increase
• Crochet Hook: Size F (3.75 mm) for the finishing edging or bind-off
• Notions: 4 stitch markers (1 in a contrasting color), waste yarn for the provisional cast-on

Gauge

The pattern calls for a gauge of 22 stitches and 32 rounds = 4 inches in Reverse Stockinette stitch using size US 5 (3.75 mm) needles. Checking gauge carefully before beginning is strongly recommended, as it directly affects the finished dimensions of the shawl.

Skill Level and Format

Rated Intermediate, the Oleander Shawl is best suited to knitters who are comfortable working in the round on both DPNs and circular needles, managing multiple stitch markers, and executing a provisional cast-on. The pattern is available as a downloadable PDF, making it immediately accessible after purchase. It is a single-size design, offering one set of instructions that produces the 42