Dewars Hollow

Dewars Hollow Crescent Shawl by Taiga Hilliard Designs

Project Overview

Dewars Hollow is a crescent shawl designed by Taiga Hilliard Designs, combining simple knitting stitches to create an elegant, wearable accessory. This intermediate-level knitting project is ideal for knitters seeking their first shawl pattern or those looking to add a classic winter piece to their collection. The crescent silhouette offers a flattering drape and versatile styling options for layering or wearing as a traditional shawl.

Construction Techniques

The shawl employs fundamental knitting techniques that build progressively throughout the pattern. Construction begins with a small garter stitch tab created by casting on just 2 stitches and working 6 rows in garter stitch on both the right side and wrong side. This creates a stable foundation for the shawl's expansion. The pattern utilizes a mix of very simple stitches, making it accessible for intermediate knitters while maintaining visual interest through stitch variation.

Stitches Used

• Garter Stitch: Knit on both the right side and wrong side to create the textured foundation tab
• Yarn Over (YO): Creates decorative eyelets and increases for shaping the crescent form
• Knit Front and Back (KFB): Increases one stitch by knitting into both the front and back of a single stitch
• Knit Two Together (K2tog): Decreases stitches by working two stitches as one
• Knit Through Back Loop (Ktbl): Adds textural variation by working into the back of stitches
• Purl Through Back Loop (Ptbl): Creates additional stitch definition and texture
• Make One Left (M1L): An invisible increase made by picking up the horizontal strand between needles from front to back and knitting through the back loop
• Make One Right (M1R): An invisible increase made by picking up the horizontal strand between needles from back to front and knitting through the front loop

Materials and Specifications

Yarn: Cascade Ecological Wool in either bulky or super bulky weight. Yardage requirements vary based on yarn weight selection: 800 yards of bulky yarn worked doubled throughout, or 400 yards of super bulky yarn worked as a single strand. The yarn choice significantly impacts the final drape and warmth of the finished shawl.

Needles: US size 15 needles (10.00 mm). This large needle size accommodates the chunky yarn and creates the open, flowing fabric characteristic of the crescent shawl design.

Gauge: 9.0 stitches measure 4 inches in the pattern stitch. Achieving proper gauge is essential for obtaining the intended finished dimensions and ensuring the shawl drapes correctly.

Difficulty Level and Suitability

Rated as an intermediate project, Dewars Hollow is well-suited for knitters with foundational skills who are ready to tackle their first shawl or expand their pattern repertoire. The combination of very simple stitches means the pattern remains manageable while introducing shawl construction principles. The super chunky yarn weight and large needles work quickly, allowing knitters to see progress rapidly—an encouraging factor for those new to shawl knitting.

Finished Object Characteristics

The crescent silhouette creates a versatile garment suitable for winter wear. The open stitch work from yarn overs and strategic increases produces a fabric with visual interest and graceful shaping. Whether worked in bulky yarn doubled or super bulky yarn single-strand, the finished shawl provides warmth and style, making it a practical addition to any knitter's wardrobe.