Palo Duro

Palo Duro Shawl by Laurie Beardsley

What Is Being Made

Palo Duro is a crescent-shaped knitted shawl inspired by the dramatic geological formations of Palo Duro Canyon in the Texas Panhandle. The design captures the natural color layering and striations visible in the canyon's exposed sedimentary rock formations through strategic use of variegated yarn. This intermediate-level knitting project produces a finished shawl measuring 60 inches (152 cm) in wingspan and 17 inches (43 cm) in depth, creating a versatile accessory suitable for layering or wrapping.

Design Approach and Inspiration

The shawl's construction method directly references the geological inspiration. Rather than allowing the yarn's color transitions to form simple straight stripes, the designer employs short rows to bend and curve the colors around each other, mimicking the way erosion has curved and bent the rock strata across Palo Duro Canyon's cliff faces. This technique transforms a potentially linear color pattern into a dynamic, flowing design that celebrates the natural landscape.

Knitting Techniques Used

• Short rows: The primary shaping technique that curves the yarn's color transitions and distorts the natural stripes, creating visual movement and depth
• Bottom-up construction: The shawl is worked from the bottom edge upward, allowing the striping pattern to develop as the piece grows
• Loose gauge knitting: Intentionally worked at a relaxed tension to achieve a drapey, lightweight fabric that drapes elegantly

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

• Stockinette stitch: Forms the main body of the shawl, providing a smooth, classic knit fabric that showcases the yarn's color variations
• Garter eyelet edging: Applied to both the bottom and top edges of the shawl, creating a decorative finished edge with small openings that add visual interest and a refined detail

Materials and Specifications

This shawl requires 400 to 440 yards (366 to 402 meters) of worsted weight yarn with long runs of color to achieve the intended striping effect. The designer specifically recommends Cascade Yarns' Tangier for its color transitions. Knitting is worked on US 8 (5 mm) circular knitting needles measuring 48 inches (120 cm) in length, or the size needed to achieve the designer's specified gauge. The worsted weight yarn combined with the loose gauge creates the characteristic lightweight drape that makes this shawl particularly suitable for layering.

Finished Characteristics

The completed Palo Duro shawl features a drapey, light construction that moves beautifully when worn. The combination of stockinette stitch, strategic short-row shaping, and loose gauge produces a fabric with excellent flow and flexibility. The garter eyelet edging frames both the top and bottom of the crescent, providing a polished, finished appearance while the short-row construction ensures the variegated yarn colors create a unique, organic pattern rather than uniform stripes.