Triangular Shawl in Cascade Yarns Ultra Pima Fine - FW198 - Downloadable PDF

Triangular Shawl in Cascade Yarns Ultra Pima Fine – Pattern Summary (FW198)

Designed by Cheryl Beckerich and published by Cascade Yarns, the Ultra Pima Fine Triangular Shawl (pattern number FW198) is a beautifully airy, lightweight shawl worked in 100% Pima cotton sport-weight yarn. This free, downloadable PDF pattern is rated Easy/Intermediate and is an excellent project for knitters who are comfortable with basic lace techniques and are ready to explore elegant shaping in a flat, seamless construction.

What Is Being Made

The finished piece is a large triangular shawl with impressive finished dimensions of 90 inches wide and 24 inches long at the center point. The generous size makes it suitable as a full wrap, a shoulder covering, or a decorative accessory for warmer seasons, particularly well-suited to the breathable, lustrous quality of Pima cotton. The triangular silhouette is classic and flattering, draping gracefully over the shoulders or around the neck.

Construction Technique: Bottom-Up and Worked Flat

One of the defining features of this pattern is its bottom-up construction. Rather than starting at the neck edge and working outward, the shawl begins at the lower point of the triangle and grows upward. Stitches are increased on each end of the work as the rows progress, causing the shawl to widen quickly into its broad, sweeping triangular shape. This approach gives knitters the satisfying experience of watching the fabric expand row by row.

The shawl is worked flat — meaning it is knitted back and forth in rows rather than in the round — using a circular needle to comfortably accommodate the large number of stitches that accumulate as the shawl grows. Despite using a circular needle, the construction remains entirely seamless and requires no seaming or finishing joins. The pattern notes specifically advise working the first 2 and last 2 stitches of each row loosely to prevent the edges from drawing in and to maintain an even, open drape throughout.

Stitches and Lace Techniques Used

The pattern incorporates a combination of stitch patterns across distinct sections of the shawl, including a Center Pattern, a Left Side Pattern, and implied corresponding sections. Key stitches and techniques referenced in the pattern include:

• Knit (k) – The foundational stitch used throughout the fabric.
• Knit 2 Together (k2tog) – A right-leaning decrease used in shaping and lace motifs.
• Lace patterning – Open, decorative stitch work that gives the shawl its delicate, elegant appearance. Lace knitting typically combines yarn-overs with decreases to create deliberate holes that form a repeating motif.
• Bind off (BO) and Cast on (CO) – Standard techniques used to begin and finish the work.
• Increases on each end – Used systematically to build the triangular shape from the bottom point upward.

The use of a Center Pattern (CP) worked row by row — referenced in the abbreviations as, for example, CP2 for row 2 of the Center Pattern — suggests a structured, repeating lace design at the heart of the shawl. This kind of sectioned approach, with separate left-side and center patterns, allows for a cohesive yet visually interesting fabric with defined design zones.

Materials: Yarn, Needles, and Notions

The pattern calls for the following materials:

• Yarn: 4 skeins of Cascade Yarns Ultra Pima Fine, a sport-weight yarn made from 100% Pima Cotton. Each skein contains approximately 136.7 yards (125 meters) and weighs 50 g (1.75 oz). Pima cotton is prized for its exceptional softness, subtle sheen, and breathability, making this shawl ideal for spring and summer wear or for those who prefer plant-based fibers.
• Needles: A US Size 6 / 4mm circular needle, in a length of