Stony Hollow Shawl

Stony Hollow Shawl by Normally Abnormal Knits

What is Being Made

The Stony Hollow Shawl is an intermediate-level knitted shawl designed by Marie Godsey of Normally Abnormal Knits. This downloadable PDF pattern creates a finished shawl using approximately 305 yards of DK weight yarn, with the pictured version worked in three skeins of Patons Silk Bamboo in Sapphire colorway.

Construction and Techniques

The shawl is constructed using a top-down approach with a garter tab cast-on method. The pattern begins by casting on 3 stitches and knitting six rows to create the garter tab foundation. Stitches are then picked up along the sides of the tab to establish the base for the main shawl body, resulting in 9 stitches total before pattern increases begin.

The shawl features strategic increases worked throughout the stockinette stitch pattern sections, creating a structured growth pattern. Stitch markers are used extensively to delineate pattern sections and track increases, helping knitters maintain proper stitch placement and pattern alignment as the shawl expands.

Stitches Used

• Garter stitch – worked flat for the initial tab and edge borders
• Stockinette stitch – the primary pattern stitch for the shawl body, created by knitting right-side rows and purling wrong-side rows
• Knit front and back (kfb) – the primary increase technique used to shape the shawl, worked strategically between stitch markers to create symmetrical expansion

Materials and Tools

This pattern requires US size 8 (5mm) needles and approximately 305 yards of DK weight yarn. The pictured example uses Patons Silk Bamboo, a yarn blend combining silk and bamboo fibers that creates drape and sheen. Stitch markers are essential notions for tracking the pattern sections and increase points throughout construction.

Gauge Information

Gauge is provided in both unblocked and blocked states to help knitters achieve proper finished dimensions. The unblocked gauge is 17 stitches and 24 rows per 4 inches, while the blocked gauge is 13 stitches and 23 rows per 4 inches, indicating that blocking significantly impacts the final measurements and drape of this shawl.

Difficulty Level

Rated as intermediate difficulty, the Stony Hollow Shawl requires familiarity with fundamental knitting techniques including cast-on methods, basic stitches, and increase techniques. The use of stitch markers and the structured increase pattern make this suitable for knitters who have completed several projects and are comfortable following written pattern instructions with multiple stitch markers in use.