Hemwall

Hemwall Knit Shawl by Taiga Hilliard Designs

What Is Being Made

Hemwall is a classic triangular shawl featuring a simple stripe pattern and distinctive construction method. The finished shawl measures 76 inches by 36 inches, making it a generous wrap suitable for layering or draping. The design works beautifully in two contrasting colors or as a multicolor mix, offering versatility for different yarn stashes and aesthetic preferences.

Construction Technique

This shawl uses a top-down construction method beginning with a small garter stitch tab. The pattern starts by casting on 3 stitches and working 6 rows in garter stitch to create a foundation tab. Stitches are then picked up along the edges of this tab to establish the working stitches for the main shawl body. The shawl grows through strategic increases worked in alternating sections, creating the characteristic triangular shape. The construction incorporates both a simple stockinette section and a garter stitch section, which are worked repeatedly to build the striped pattern and overall dimensions.

Stitches and Techniques Used

The Hemwall pattern employs fundamental knitting stitches and techniques appropriate for intermediate-level knitters:

• Garter stitch – worked by knitting every row on both right-side and wrong-side rows, creating the textured foundation tab and garter sections
• Stockinette stitch – created by knitting on right-side rows and purling on wrong-side rows in the simple sections
• Make One Right (M1R) and Make One Left (M1L) increases – directional increases used to shape the shawl and create balanced, decorative increases on either side of markers
• Stitch markers – used to track pattern sections and increase points throughout the construction
• Pick up and knit – a technique used to establish stitches along the edges of the garter tab, creating a seamless transition into the main shawl body

Yarn and Materials

The Hemwall pattern calls for Anzula Silken yarn in fingering weight, which is a delicate, lustrous fiber ideal for creating elegant drape in shawls. The total yardage requirement is 920 yards, divided between main color (MC) at 370 yards and contrasting color (CC) at 550 yards. Knitters should use US size 6 (4.00 mm) needles to achieve the specified gauge of 20 stitches over 4 inches. This gauge and needle size combination is typical for fingering-weight yarns and ensures proper fabric density and drape for the finished shawl.

Difficulty Level

Hemwall is rated as an intermediate knitting project. While the stitches used are fundamental, the pattern requires comfort with directional increases, stitch markers, and reading pattern instructions across multiple sections. The top-down construction and color changes add complexity beyond absolute beginner projects, making this an excellent choice for knitters with some experience who are ready to tackle shawl construction.