Josey

Josey Shawl by Melissa Schaschwary

What Is Being Made

Josey is a knitted shawl designed by independent designer Melissa Schaschwary. This finished garment measures 52 inches wide by 24 inches long, making it a generous wrap-style shawl suitable for layering or draping across the shoulders.

Craft and Techniques

This project is created using the knitting technique. The shawl is worked in a construction method that requires transitioning between circular needles of different lengths as the piece grows—beginning with a 36-inch circular needle and switching to a 48-inch circular needle as needed. This needle-size progression is a common approach in shawl knitting to accommodate increasing stitch counts while maintaining control and comfort during the knitting process.

The design incorporates several foundational knitting techniques and stitch manipulations. Knitters will work with yarn overs to create decorative openwork or lace elements, knit-two-together decreases to shape the fabric, and make-one increases (both left and right leaning versions) to add stitches strategically throughout the pattern. The base fabric is worked primarily in Stockinette stitch, which creates a smooth, classic knit surface.

Stitches Used

• Knit (k) – the fundamental stitch forming the primary fabric
• Purl (p) – used for texture variation and pattern details
• Yarn over (yo) – creates deliberate holes and lace effects
• Knit two together (k2tog) – a right-leaning decrease
• Make one left (m1l) and make one right (m1r) – increases that add stitches without creating visible holes
• Slip stitch (sl1) – used for edge finishing and pattern transitions
• Stockinette stitch – the primary stitch pattern combining knit and purl rows

Materials and Tools

The Josey shawl requires 300 yards of chunky weight yarn. The pattern is shown worked in Malabrigo Yarns Chunky in the colorway Charrua, though any chunky weight yarn of similar yardage and characteristics can be substituted.

Knitting needles required include both a 36-inch circular needle and a 48-inch circular needle, both in size 15. Circular needles are essential for this project due to the shawl's expanding width. Additional notions include 2 stitch markers to track pattern repeats and shaping points, and a tapestry needle for weaving in yarn ends during finishing.

Difficulty Level

This pattern is rated as intermediate difficulty. Knitters should be comfortable with basic stitches, increases and decreases, and reading knitting patterns before beginning this project. The combination of shaping techniques and the need to manage growing stitch counts across multiple needle sizes requires some experience but remains accessible to knitters beyond the absolute beginner stage.

Gauge

The pattern is worked at a gauge of 8 stitches and 12 rows over 4 inches in Stockinette stitch. Achieving proper gauge is important for obtaining the finished measurements of 52 inches wide by 24 inches long.