Skydiving

Skydiving Shawl by Helen Kennedy Designs

What Is Being Made

The Skydiving shawl is an asymmetrical knitted shawl designed by Helen Kennedy. This downloadable PDF pattern creates a finished shawl measuring approximately 70 inches (178 centimeters) along the long edge and 18 inches (46 centimeters) deep. The shawl features a distinctive directional construction that begins from a small point and expands outward to create its broad, sweeping edge.

Construction Method and Direction

This shawl is knitted from the point outward, starting with just a few cast-on stitches at the tip and progressively expanding toward the finished edge. The asymmetrical shape is achieved through strategic increases placed at the edges and decreases that form the spine stitch running through the center of the design. This top-down construction method allows knitters to customize the final size by simply knitting until the shawl reaches their desired dimensions.

Stitches and Techniques Used

The Skydiving shawl employs several fundamental knitting techniques suitable for beginner-level knitters:

• Garter stitch forms the primary fabric structure, creating a reversible, textured surface
• Spine stitch runs through the center of the shawl, providing definition and structure
• Slipped stitches are incorporated to create patterned effects without adding complexity
• Strategic increases and decreases at the edges shape the asymmetrical silhouette
• I-cord bind off finishes the broad edge with a decorative, structured border

Color and Pattern Work

The shawl is knitted using two very contrasting colors to create visual interest and pattern definition. The main color (MC) and contrasting color (CC) work together with slipped stitches to produce the distinctive patterned effect. The pattern is shown worked in Malabrigo Mechita colorway Diana for the main color and Pearl for the neutral contrasting color, creating a striking two-tone design.

Materials and Yarn Requirements

The Skydiving shawl is designed for 4-ply sock weight yarn. The recommended yarn is Malabrigo Mechita, a 100% merino wool yarn offering 384 meters (420 yards) per 100-gram skein.

• Main color (MC): 384 meters / 420 yards of sock weight yarn
• Contrasting color (CC): 384 meters / 420 yards of sock weight yarn

One full skein of each color provides sufficient yardage to complete the project as shown.

Needles and Notions

• Main needles: 3.5 mm (US 4) needles, sized to obtain proper gauge
• I-cord bind-off needles: 3.75 mm (US 5) to 4.0 mm (US 6) needles for the decorative edge finish
• Optional smaller needles: 3.25 mm (US 3) or smaller than main needle size for specialized techniques

Skill Level

This pattern is rated as beginner difficulty, making it an accessible project for knitters new to shawl construction. The straightforward garter stitch base, combined with simple increases, decreases, and slipped stitches, provides an excellent introduction to asymmetrical shawl design without overwhelming complexity.