Bermuda Triangle

Bermuda Triangle Knit Shawl by Nancy Whitman

Project Overview

The Bermuda Triangle is an intermediate-level knit shawl pattern designed by Nancy Whitman. This downloadable PDF pattern creates a triangular shawl with generous dimensions, measuring 58 inches in width and 22½ inches in center depth when blocked. The design employs a front-to-back construction method, making it an excellent project for knitters looking to expand their technical skills beyond basic stockinette stitch work.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a triangular shawl suitable for layering or wearing as a lightweight wrap. The finished dimensions of 58 inches wide and 22½ inches deep make it a versatile accessory that can be draped over shoulders or styled as a decorative wrap. The shawl is constructed using a methodical approach that builds the triangle from one end to the other.

Techniques and Construction Methods

The Bermuda Triangle shawl employs several intermediate knitting techniques that add visual interest and structural integrity to the finished piece:

• Make One Left (ML): This increase technique involves inserting the left needle tip into the strand running between needles and knitting through the back loop to create a twisted new stitch. This method is worked from front to back and adds stitches while maintaining the shawl's aesthetic.
• Slip Slip Knit (ssk): A left-leaning decrease worked by slipping two stitches individually knitwise to the right needle, returning them to the left needle, and knitting them together through the back loop. This technique creates balanced decreases throughout the pattern.
• Right Purl (MRP): A purl-based increase technique worked from back to front, where the left needle tip lifts the strand between needles and purls it through the front loop. This technique adds dimension to sections worked in reverse stockinette or textured stitches.

Stitches Used

The pattern incorporates fundamental knit stitches combined with the specialized increase and decrease techniques listed above. While the full stitch pattern is not detailed in the provided content, the inclusion of knit, purl, and the specialized shaping stitches (Make One Left, Slip Slip Knit, and Right Purl) indicates a pattern with textured or directional elements that require intermediate-level understanding of stitch manipulation.

Materials and Specifications

The Bermuda Triangle shawl is worked using premium yarn and standard circular needles:

• Yarn: Madelinetosh Tosh Merino Light, a 100% superwash merino wool available in 420-yard skeins. The pattern calls for 1 skein each of Virginia Bluebell (main color) and Iris (contrast color). Actual yardage used is approximately 355 yards of the main color and 195 yards of the contrast color, totaling roughly 550 yards.
• Needles: US #7 (4.5 mm) circular needle in 40-inch length
• Notions: Stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and shaping sections
• Yarn Weight: 4-ply weight yarn, providing a lightweight fabric ideal for shawls and wraps

Difficulty Level and Knitter Experience

Rated as intermediate difficulty, the Bermuda Triangle shawl is appropriate for knitters who have mastered basic stitches and simple patterns but are ready to tackle increases, decreases, and two-color work. The combination of Make One increases and Slip Slip Knit decreases requires attention to detail and understanding of how these techniques affect fabric structure and appearance. The use of two yarn colors adds complexity to the project, requiring careful attention to color changes and yarn management.