Katara

Katara Shawl by Corrina Ferguson

What is Being Made

Katara is a shaped shawl designed to be worn gracefully on the shoulders without requiring a pin or brooch to secure it. The shawl measures 60 inches wide and 22 inches deep when blocked, making it a substantial wrap suitable for layering over shoulders and upper back. The unique neck shaping is engineered to provide a comfortable, secure fit that drapes naturally without additional fasteners.

Construction Method and Techniques

This intermediate-level shawl is worked side-to-side, meaning you knit from one side edge to the opposite side edge rather than from the top down or bottom up. This construction method allows the designer to incorporate custom neck shaping throughout the knitting process. The pattern employs short-rows to create the three-dimensional shaping that allows the shawl to sit properly on the shoulders.

A specialized short-row technique called a yot (yarnover turn) is used throughout the pattern. This method creates the smallest possible yarnover when turning your work mid-row, and the resulting yarn overs are designed to be easily hidden by knitting them together with adjacent stitches on subsequent rows. This technique minimizes visible holes and gaps that can occur with traditional short-row methods.

Stitches Used

The main body of Katara is worked entirely in garter stitch, which is created by knitting every row. Garter stitch produces a reversible fabric with horizontal ridges and is one of the most fundamental knitting stitches. This stitch choice creates a classic, textured appearance and provides excellent drape suitable for a shoulder shawl. The simplicity of garter stitch allows the shaping created by the short-rows to be the focal point of the design.

Materials and Specifications

Yarn: The pattern calls for SugarbeeStudios Politically Incorrect MCN Fingering weight yarn in the colorway Frigid. You will need 430 yards of yarn per 100 grams. Fingering weight (also called sock weight) is a fine yarn that creates delicate, detailed fabric. The pattern accommodates both 3-ply and 4-ply yarn weights, giving you flexibility in yarn selection while maintaining the intended drape and finished dimensions.

Needles and Notions: US Size 6 (4.0 mm) needles are required for this project. The pattern also calls for a tapestry needle for weaving in ends and two stitch markers to help track your progress through the pattern.

Gauge

The pattern is worked to a gauge of 20 stitches and 30 rows over 4 inches in blocked garter stitch. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for the shawl to reach its intended finished dimensions of 60 inches wide by 22 inches deep.