Fit For a Princess

Fit For a Princess Knitted Shawl by Natalie Larson

What Is Being Made

Fit For a Princess is a customizable knitted shawl designed by independent designer Natalie Larson. Inspired by the style of HRH Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, this shawl is created for anyone who wants to feel like royalty. The pattern is designed to work with a variety of yarn weights and needle sizes, making it an adaptable project that knits up quickly while maintaining an elegant, sophisticated appearance.

Knitting Techniques Used

This intermediate-level shawl employs several fundamental knitting techniques that build essential skills:

• Long-tail cast-on – Used to begin the project with a sturdy, elastic foundation
• Knit and purl stitches – The basic building blocks of the stitch pattern
• Increasing stitches – Including knit 1 front and back (K1f&b) and make 1 (M1) techniques to shape the shawl
• Decreasing stitches – To create shaping and structure
• Picking up stitches – Essential for adding the ruffle detail that defines this design
• Binding off – To finish and secure the final edge

Stitches and Stitch Pattern

The shawl uses a medium gauge stitch pattern that works at 32 rows and 26 stitches over 4 inches. The pattern combines knit and purl stitches to create texture and visual interest. A distinctive feature is the ruffle detail, which is added by picking up stitches along an edge and working additional rows to create the characteristic ruffled finish that gives the shawl its princess-worthy elegance.

Yarn and Needle Requirements

This pattern is designed for worsted weight yarn, though the instructions note that the pattern can serve as a flexible template for different yarn weights and gauges. The suggested needle size is US 7 (4.5 mm). The pattern specifies using circular needles for the ruffle section, as they are essential for managing the increased stitch count in that area, though straight needles or circulars can be used for the body of the shawl. The customizable nature of this design means knitters can adjust the finished size based on the amount of yarn available or personal preference.

Customization and Sizing

One of the key features of Fit For a Princess is its adaptability. Rather than offering fixed sizes, the pattern encourages knitters to customize the shawl according to their preferences or available yarn quantity. The pattern instructions allow you to ignore the standard gauge and work with your own yarn and needles, making this an excellent template for experimentation and personalization.

Skill Level

Rated as an intermediate project, this shawl is suitable for knitters who have mastered basic stitches and are ready to work with techniques like picking up stitches and managing shaping through increases and decreases. The straightforward stitch vocabulary and clear techniques make it an accessible intermediate project that produces a sophisticated, wearable result.