Pussy Willow

Pussy Willow Shawl by All Knit Up Designs

Project Overview

The Pussy Willow is an intermediate-level knitted shawl designed by Sierra Kreun of All Knit Up Designs. This downloadable PDF pattern creates a generously sized triangular shawl measuring 80 inches wide by 30 inches deep (203 cm by 76 cm) when blocked, though the design is easily customizable to suit individual preferences. The shawl showcases thoughtful construction techniques that make it an engaging project for knitters with some experience.

Yarn and Materials

This shawl requires approximately 1,100 yards (1,005 meters) of fingering weight yarn, weighing roughly 300 grams. The pattern specifies Madelinetosh Yarns Tosh Sock, which is composed of 100% Superwash Merino fiber. This yarn choice provides excellent stitch definition and durability, with each 100-gram skein yielding 395 yards. Superwash Merino offers both softness and easy care, making this shawl practical for regular wear and washing.

Knitters will need US 4 (3.5mm) needles in a 32-inch (80 cm) length or longer to accommodate the growing number of stitches as the shawl expands. Additional notions include a tapestry needle for weaving in ends and a stitch marker for tracking pattern repeats.

Gauge and Sizing

The pattern is worked at a gauge of 24 stitches and 25 garter bumps over 4 inches (10 cm) in blocked garter stitch. Achieving proper gauge is important for obtaining the intended finished dimensions, though the customizable nature of the design allows knitters to adjust sizing by working additional or fewer pattern repeats as desired.

Knitting Techniques and Stitches

The Pussy Willow employs a variety of fundamental and intermediate knitting techniques that create visual interest and structure throughout the shawl:

• Garter Stitch: The primary stitch used in this design, created by knitting every row. Garter stitch produces a textured, reversible fabric with horizontal ridges and works beautifully in fingering weight yarn for elegant drape.
• Yarn Overs (YO): These decorative increases create openwork details and lace elements, adding visual dimension to the shawl while maintaining a relatively open, airy construction.
• Increases: The pattern utilizes multiple increase techniques including the Tuck 1-inc method, which involves working (K1, YO, K1) into a single stitch to create a subtle increase. The KFBF technique (knit into the front, then back, then front of one stitch) creates a two-stitch increase, allowing for strategic shaping. The KFB method (knit into the front and back of a stitch) provides a standard single-stitch increase.
• Decreases: The K2tog (knit two stitches together) decrease is used to shape the shawl, with the pattern note that the stitch above it is dropped and unraveled for a specific effect. The S2KP2 (slip 2 stitches together, knit 1, pass slipped stitches over) creates a centered double decrease for refined shaping.
• Purl Below: The pattern includes a "Purl below next st on left-hand needle" technique, which adds textural variety and allows knitters to work into previous rows for creative stitch placement.

Pattern Characteristics

This intermediate shawl combines garter stitch stability with strategic increases and decreases to create a well-shaped triangular garment. The use of fingering weight yarn at a relatively tight gauge (24 stitches per 4 inches) ensures excellent stitch definition and a fabric with beautiful drape. The customizable construction means knitters can adjust the final size by modifying the number of pattern repeats, making this design adaptable to different yarn quantities and personal preferences.