Thursday Afternoon

Thursday Afternoon Shawl by Kate Atherley

What is Being Made

The Thursday Afternoon Shawl is a casual, everyday triangular shawl designed to defy traditional shawl conventions. Rather than featuring delicate lace, this piece showcases ribbed fabric that creates a comfortable, versatile accessory suitable for any style. The design produces an asymmetrical, shallow triangle that functions more as a casual scarf than a formal shawl, making it an ideal everyday wrap that stays securely in place around the neck.

Design and Construction

This shawl features a unique bias-oriented ribbing construction that creates fabric with a natural curl, helping the piece drape elegantly and remain anchored when worn. The geometry of the design is particularly clever: when the point is centered on the back, the long end wraps around the wearer while both hanging ends fall at the same level, creating a balanced and flattering silhouette.

The pattern uses a simple, easy-to-memorize repeat stitch that makes it ideal for knitters who want to work while watching television or traveling. The "work until you run out of yarn" construction approach offers flexibility, allowing knitters to customize the finished size based on available yarn quantity or personal preference.

Finished Dimensions

The shawl is designed to be knit to the size desired or until yarn runs out. The orange sample measured 198 cm (78 inches) wide and 34 cm (13.5 inches) deep when washed but not stretched. The black sample, when gently stretched, measured 203 cm in width, demonstrating the fabric's responsive nature to blocking and finishing techniques.

Knitting Techniques and Stitches

• Ribbed Fabric: The primary stitch pattern features ribbing worked on the bias, creating texture and structure while allowing the fabric to curl naturally for improved drape and fit
• Asymmetrical Shaping: The pattern incorporates slightly unusual shaping that creates the shallow triangular silhouette characteristic of the design
• Simple Pattern Repeat: An easy-to-understand and memorize stitch repeat ensures accessibility for intermediate knitters and makes the project suitable for mindless knitting

Yarn and Materials

The Thursday Afternoon Shawl accommodates a range of yarn weights, including DK, worsted, heavy worsted, aran, and chunky weights, as well as varied yarn weights. This flexibility allows knitters to work with their preferred yarn from their stash or select based on desired final drape and warmth. The pattern is compatible with standard knitting needles appropriate to the chosen yarn weight.

Skill Level

Rated as intermediate difficulty, the Thursday Afternoon Shawl is accessible to knitters with foundational skills who are ready to explore shaping and bias construction techniques. The straightforward stitch repeat and logical construction make it an excellent project for building confidence in intermediate techniques.