Road Warrior

Road Warrior Shawl by Carissa Browning

What is Being Made

The Road Warrior is a triangular knit shawl designed by Carissa Browning. This beginner-friendly project creates a versatile wrap with a finished span of 68 inches and a center height of 19 inches, making it an ideal accessory for layering or draping across the shoulders. The shawl's generous dimensions and simple construction make it suitable for knitters new to shawl design.

Knitting Techniques Used

This pattern employs fundamental knitting techniques that build foundational skills while creating an elegant finished garment. The shawl uses a long-tail cast-on to begin the three initial stitches, establishing a secure foundation edge. The design incorporates two-color stranded knitting, alternating between two yarn colors (Scout and Charcoal) to create visual interest and texture throughout the piece. Knitters will practice slip stitches worked in different yarn positions to create decorative selvedges and stitch definition. The pattern also includes yarn overs and increases that shape the triangular silhouette as the shawl expands from the initial three stitches outward.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The Road Warrior is constructed primarily in garter stitch, the most fundamental knit stitch pattern, created by knitting every row on both right-side and wrong-side rows. This classic texture provides excellent drape and is forgiving for beginners. The pattern incorporates several essential abbreviations and techniques:

• Kfb (knit into front and back) – an increase method that creates two stitches from one, used strategically to shape the shawl's expansion
• Slip stitches (sl) – worked as if to purl with yarn positioned either in front (wyif) or in back (wyib) to create clean edges and decorative details
• Yarn overs (yo) – another increase technique that creates deliberate holes or lacy elements in the fabric
• Stitch markers (sm) – used to track pattern repeats and construction points across the width of the shawl

Materials and Specifications

The Road Warrior pattern calls for Madelinetosh Tosh Merino Light yarn, a 100% merino wool available in 420-yard skeins per 100 grams. Knitters will need one skein each in the Scout and Charcoal colorways to complete the project. The yarn weight is 4-ply, a medium-weight yarn that provides excellent stitch definition and drape for shawl construction.

The pattern is worked on US #5 (3.75mm) circular needles, which accommodate the increasing number of stitches as the shawl grows. Six stitch markers are required to track the pattern repeats and shaping points. A tapestry needle is needed for weaving in yarn ends and finishing the piece. After blocking to even out the stitches and set the yarn, the gauge is 19 stitches and 44 rows over 4 inches in garter stitch, which is essential information for adjusting the size if desired.

Pattern Overview

The shawl begins with a three-stitch cast-on and increases gradually through the pattern rows, with both colors worked simultaneously to create the two-tone effect. The construction uses slip stitches positioned strategically to create visual lines and definition. The pattern is easily adjustable in size, allowing knitters to continue working additional rows to achieve their desired finished dimensions. The downloadable PDF format provides complete row-by-row instructions for this beginner-level project.