Sorata Hug Sneed in Cascade Yarns - FW287 - Downloadable PDF

Sorata Hug Sneed in Cascade Yarns – FW287: A Detailed Pattern Summary

The Sorata Hug Sneed is a beautifully designed knitted shawl pattern created by Shannon Dunbabin and published by Cascade Yarns as pattern number FW287. Rated intermediate in skill level, this pattern produces an elegant circular wrap — sometimes called a hug sneed or circular shawlette — that drapes gracefully around the shoulders and neck. It is available as a free downloadable PDF, making it an accessible choice for knitters looking to expand their shawl-making repertoire without any upfront cost.

What Is Being Made

The finished garment is a circular knitted shawl worked in the round from the neck down, falling into the category of accessories that includes ponchos, capes, and wraps. It is sized in two options:

• M/L: 28" diameter at the neck, 40" diameter at the bottom hem, and 27" from neck to bottom hem
• L/XL: 32" diameter at the neck, 45" diameter at the bottom hem, and 29" from neck to bottom hem

The resulting piece is a wearable, cozy circular wrap that sits comfortably around the shoulders, offering warmth and elegance in equal measure. The circular construction means there are no seams to sew, and the finished shawl has a smooth, polished drape thanks to the luxurious fiber content of the yarn used.

Yarn and Materials

The pattern calls for Cascade Yarns® Sorata, a sumptuous 4-ply (fingering weight) yarn with a fiber composition of 70% Llama and 30% Silk. Each skein contains 100 g (3.5 oz) / 437 yards (400 m), and the pattern requires 2 skeins of the specified colorway, color #21 (Grape Jam). The llama content gives the yarn exceptional softness and warmth without the weight or scratchiness sometimes associated with wool, while the silk component adds a beautiful natural sheen and fluid drape — qualities that make this yarn particularly well suited to a lace-accented shawl.

Additional materials required include:

• US 5 (3.75 mm) knitting needles, or the size needed to obtain the correct gauge — circular needles would be appropriate given the in-the-round construction
• 5 stitch markers to track pattern sections and the beginning of each round
• A yarn needle for weaving in ends upon completion

Gauge

The recommended gauge is 22 stitches × 32 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in stockinette stitch. As with all garments where fit matters, swatching before beginning is strongly advised, particularly because the circular dimensions of the finished shawl depend on achieving the correct stitch and row count. The fine 4-ply weight of Cascade Yarns® Sorata means that small deviations in tension can noticeably affect the finished diameter.

Techniques and Construction

The Sorata Hug Sneed is worked entirely in the round from the neck edge downward, which is a hallmark of circular shawl construction. This top-down approach allows the knitter to try on the piece as they go and adjust length if desired. The cast-on is substantial — 280 stitches for M/L and 320 stitches for L/XL — establishing the neck circumference from the very first row. Knitters are instructed to join in the round carefully to avoid twisting, and a stitch marker is placed to denote the beginning of each round.

Key construction techniques used in this pattern include:

• Circular knitting in the round — eliminating seams and creating a smooth, continuous fabric
• Lace patterning — an 8-round repeat lace section forms the decorative body of the shawl, adding visual texture and an airy quality to the fabric
• Ribbing — the pattern begins with a [P1, K3, P1] rib worked for 4