Playing Dress Up

Playing Dress Up Shawl by Penny Baker

What Is Being Made

Playing Dress Up is a crescent-shaped shawl designed by independent knitting designer Penny Baker. This shawl is the first in a collection inspired by playtime and childhood imagination. The design celebrates the versatility of textiles in play—from princess dresses to superhero capes to fort-building materials. The finished shawl is sized to keep shoulders warm on summer evenings while maintaining a pretty, wearable aesthetic suitable for everyday use.

Design Inspiration and Purpose

The shawl draws inspiration from the designer's son's play and was intentionally created to be simple enough to knit while supervising children. The pattern reflects the concept of transforming everyday textiles—towels, tablecloths, blankets, and shawls—into imaginative creations. This dual purpose makes Playing Dress Up both a finished garment and a meditation on the creative potential of simple fabric forms.

Knitting Techniques and Stitches

Playing Dress Up combines stocking stitch with eyelets to create texture and visual interest. The eyelet details contribute to the shawl's beautiful drape while keeping the overall construction straightforward. The pattern requires fairly minimal brainpower, making it accessible for knitters who want to work on a project while managing other tasks or supervising play.

Yarn and Materials

This shawl is worked in 4-ply yarn weight, which creates a lightweight, drapey fabric ideal for shoulder wear in warmer seasons. The 4-ply weight allows the stocking stitch and eyelet details to display clearly while maintaining the fabric's elegant drape.

Skill Level

Playing Dress Up is rated as an intermediate difficulty project. While the stitch techniques are relatively straightforward, the combination of stocking stitch and eyelets, along with the shawl's crescent shaping, requires some knitting experience and pattern-reading ability.

Format

This pattern is available as a downloadable PDF, allowing immediate access to the complete instructions for knitting Playing Dress Up.