Donna

Donna Shawl by Deb Hoss

What is Being Made

Donna is a cushy, draped wrap designed to provide warmth and style across multiple seasons. This versatile shawl works equally well dressed up or down, making it suitable for casual everyday wear or more formal occasions. The design features a distinctive tapered silhouette that transitions from a wider circumference at the lower edge to a narrower measurement at the upper neckline, creating a flattering fit that hugs the shoulders.

Finished Measurements

The shawl is available in three sizes with the following dimensions:

• Size 1: 38" circumference at lower edge, tapering to 28" at upper edge, 11½" height
• Size 2: 46" circumference at lower edge, tapering to 33" at upper edge, 12" height
• Size 3: 52" circumference at lower edge, tapering to 37" at upper edge, 12½" height

The pattern is shown with 1" ease at the lower edge.

Knitting Techniques and Construction

Donna is worked bottom-up and in-the-round, a construction method that creates a seamless, continuous fabric. This approach allows knitters to try on the piece as it grows and adjust fit easily. The shaping at the neckline edge is strategically placed to create the tapered silhouette and ensure the wrap hugs the shoulders comfortably.

Stitches Used

The primary stitch pattern is Twisted Rib, which features a 5-stitch by 4-row repeat combining knits, purls, and simple right twists. This textured stitch creates visual interest and elasticity while maintaining the draped quality of the finished wrap. The design is trimmed with a few rounds of Reverse Stockinette, which provides a contrasting textured edge that frames the piece beautifully.

Required Knitting Skills

Classified as an intermediate difficulty project, Donna requires the following skills:

• Long-tail cast-on for a secure, elastic foundation
• Circular knitting to work the piece in-the-round without seams
• Decreasing techniques including k2tog (knit two together) and p2tog (purl two together) for shaping
• Right twist (RT), a simple cable-like twist that adds texture and visual appeal

Yarn and Materials

The pattern calls for sport weight yarn. The sample shown is knitted in Melange by Blue Sky, which is 100% baby alpaca, providing a soft, luxurious feel. This yarn is available at 110 yards per 50-gram skein, allowing knitters to calculate yardage requirements based on their chosen size. The use of sport weight creates a fabric with excellent drape while remaining warm and cozy.

Design Details

Donna combines practical construction with thoughtful design elements. The Twisted Rib stitch pattern creates a textured, elastic fabric that moves beautifully while maintaining structure. The strategic shaping ensures the wrap fits comfortably around the shoulders and neckline, preventing the garment from slipping. The addition of Reverse Stockinette trim provides a polished finishing touch and creates visual definition at the edges. This multi-season piece is described as super stylish and versatile, making it an ideal project to pick up at the end of a work day or anytime.