Purple Gradient Shawl in Cascade Alpaca Lace - FW248 - Downloadable PDF

Purple Gradient Shawl in Cascade Alpaca Lace – FW248 by Shannon Dunbabin

This free, downloadable PDF pattern from Cascade Yarns® guides knitters through creating a beautifully soft Purple Gradient Shawl, designed by Shannon Dunbabin. The finished shawl measures 20 inches long by 15 inches high and showcases a gentle color transition from soft lavender to deep mystic purple, achieved by blending two shades of the same luxurious yarn. Rated as Beginner to Intermediate, this project is an ideal introduction to simple shawl construction and gradient color techniques without requiring complex colorwork skills.

What Is Being Made

The pattern produces a lightweight, triangular shawl worked from the center top down to the outer edge. The gradient effect is created by holding two strands of yarn together throughout the project and gradually transitioning between two coordinating colorways. The result is a wearable accessory with a soft, airy drape that suits casual and elegant occasions alike. The compact finished dimensions make it a quick and satisfying knit, particularly appealing to those newer to shawl construction.

Yarn and Materials

• Yarn: Cascade Yarns® Alpaca Lace – 100% Baby Alpaca, lace weight, 50 g (1.75 oz) per skein, approximately 437 yards (400 m) per skein
• Color A: Color #1433 – Lavender (1 skein)
• Color B: Color #1434 – Mystic Purple (1 skein)
• Needles: US 6 circular knitting needles
• Notions: Stitch marker, yarn needle

Because the pattern is worked with two strands held together, each skein is wound into two separate balls before beginning. This technique allows the knitter to blend Color A and Color B progressively, creating the gradient effect without any complicated intarsia or stranding methods. The use of Cascade Yarns® Alpaca Lace in 100% Baby Alpaca ensures the finished shawl is exceptionally soft against the skin, lightweight, and has a subtle natural sheen characteristic of alpaca fiber.

Techniques Used

• Two-strand knitting: Both strands are held together throughout, allowing seamless color blending as the knitter transitions between Color A and Color B balls
• Gradient color work: The shift from Lavender to Mystic Purple is achieved by swapping one strand at a time, producing a smooth, organic color fade
• Top-down triangular shawl construction: The shawl begins with a small cast-on and expands outward through strategic yarn-over increases, building the triangular shape row by row
• Stitch marker placement: A single stitch marker is placed to define the center spine of the shawl, helping the knitter maintain symmetrical increases on both halves
• Garter stitch fabric: All rows are knitted, creating a classic garter stitch texture that lies flat naturally and requires no blocking to maintain its shape

Stitches Used

• Knit (K): The foundational stitch used throughout; every row is worked in knit, producing garter stitch fabric
• Yarn Over (YO): Used strategically to create decorative eyelets and to increase the stitch count symmetrically on both sides of the center marker, shaping the triangle
• Knit 2 Together (K2tog): A right-leaning decrease used at specific points in the pattern
• Cast On (CO): The shawl begins with just 4 stitches, keeping the starting point minimal and approachable
• Bind Off (BO): Used to finish the outer edge of the shawl cleanly

Gauge

The pattern calls for a gauge of 22 stitches over 4 inches (10 cm) in Garter stitch using US 6 circular needles and two strands of Cascade Yarns® Alpaca Lace