Pretender Shawl in Erika Knight Fur Wool - Downloadable PDF

Erika Knight Pretender Shawl – Knitting Pattern Summary

The Pretender Shawl is a beautifully tactile, oversized triangular fur shawl designed by Erika Knight and knitted in her luxurious Erika Knight Fur Wool. Available as a downloadable PDF, this pattern is an ideal project for beginner knitters looking to create a striking, cosy accessory with minimal technical complexity. The finished shawl measures approximately 105cm wide and 70cm deep, making it a generously sized wrap that doubles as a statement piece.

What Is Being Made

The Pretender is a one-size triangular shawl with integral ties. The triangular shape grows from a simple two-stitch cast-on and is built outward through gradual increasing, resulting in a dramatic, enveloping silhouette. The attached ties are knitted directly into the construction of the shawl, meaning no separate assembly is required for that element. The overall effect is a plush, fur-textured wrap that is both effortless to wear and straightforward to knit.

Techniques Used

• Triangular shawl construction – worked from the top point downward, beginning with just 2 cast-on stitches and expanding row by row
• Increasing – a single increase is worked at the end of every row to build the triangular shape gradually and consistently
• Integral tie construction – ties are added by casting on additional stitches at the beginning of two consecutive rows, then immediately binding off those stitches to form the finished ties without any sewing or joining
• Finishing – weaving in ends and gentle steaming are the only finishing steps required

Stitches Used

• Garter stitch – the entire shawl body is worked in garter stitch, meaning every row is simply knitted. This produces a ridged, reversible fabric that is perfectly suited to the fluffy texture of Fur Wool and requires no purling whatsoever
• Knit into front and back (Inc) – the pattern's special abbreviation, this is the sole increase technique used. It involves knitting into the front and then the back of the same stitch to add one extra stitch per row

Because the pattern relies entirely on garter stitch and a single increase method, it is genuinely accessible to beginners. There are no complex stitch patterns, no shaping calculations to follow, and no seaming involved. The repetitive nature of the construction makes it a meditative and satisfying knit.

Materials

• Yarn: Erika Knight Fur Wool – a super chunky yarn composed of 97% pure British wool and 3% Nylon, sold in 100g/3oz hanks with approximately 40m/44yds per hank. 4 hanks are required for this project. The yarn's distinctive fluffy, fur-like texture gives the Pretender Shawl its rich, tactile character.
• Needles: 12mm / US 17 knitting needles
• Notions: A large-eyed blunt-tipped sewing needle for weaving in ends

Tension / Gauge

The recommended tension is 6 stitches and 12 rows to 10cm / 4 inches, measured over garter stitch using 12mm / US 17 needles. As with all knitting patterns, adjusting needle size to achieve the correct tension is recommended to ensure the finished shawl matches the stated dimensions.

Pattern Format

The Pretender Shawl pattern by Erika Knight is available as a downloadable PDF, designed for personal printing and use. It is a compact, clearly written pattern well suited to knitters who are new to shawl construction or who want a quick, rewarding make using a super chunky yarn.