The Founding Shawl

The Founding Shawl by Taylor Owen

What Is Being Made

The Founding Shawl is a large triangular knit shawl designed for beginner knitters. This wrap-style shawl is worked back and forth from the center neck area toward the bottom edge, creating a generous garment suitable for draping across the shoulders and neck. The shawl's triangular construction and substantial size make it an ideal project for adding warmth and comfort while developing foundational knitting skills.

Design Inspiration and Purpose

This modern shawl design draws inspiration from the period shawls worn by Claire Fraser in the television series Outlander. The designer, Taylor Owen, created this pattern with the intention of serving as a "founding" moment for new knitters—a meaningful introduction to the craft, skill development, and the pursuit of creating handmade garments for warmth and comfort.

Knitting Techniques and Stitches

The Founding Shawl features straightforward construction techniques suitable for beginner-level knitters. The primary stitch used throughout the shawl is garter stitch, which creates a textured, reversible fabric with horizontal ridges. This fundamental stitch is worked consistently across the piece, making it accessible for those new to knitting.

To keep the construction interesting and add visual interest, the shawl incorporates a short and simple lace pattern. This lace element breaks up the garter stitch sections without overwhelming a beginner knitter, introducing basic lace techniques in a manageable way while maintaining the project's approachable difficulty level.

Yarn and Materials

The Founding Shawl is designed to be worked in Harrisville Designs WATERshed, a woolen spun worsted weight yarn. This yarn choice is central to the shawl's performance characteristics. Woolen spun yarns are known for their loft and air-trapping properties, making this shawl incredibly lightweight despite its generous size. The construction holds plenty of air within its structure, providing excellent insulation for the neck and shoulders without adding bulk or weight.

The suggested yarn specifications are:

• 6 skeins of Harrisville Designs WATERshed in Spoonwood (CC1)
• 1 skein of Harrisville Designs WATERshed in Penstock (CC2)
• Yarn weight: Worsted weight (110 yards per 50 grams)

The two-color combination creates a multi-tonal effect while keeping the color palette cohesive and wearable. Knitters working this pattern will need appropriate needles for worsted weight yarn, typically in the US 7–9 range, though needle size should be determined by achieving the desired gauge as specified in the pattern.

Yarn Weight Compatibility

While the pattern is specifically designed for worsted weight yarn, The Founding Shawl can be adapted to other yarn weights including aran, heavy worsted, and DK weights. Working with different yarn weights will affect the finished size and yardage requirements, allowing knitters flexibility in yarn selection while maintaining the shawl's essential design elements.

Skill Level and Accessibility

Rated as a beginner-level project, The Founding Shawl is an excellent choice for knitters new to the craft. The reliance on garter stitch as the primary technique, combined with a simple lace pattern, creates a project that builds confidence without requiring advanced skills. The back-and-forth construction (rather than circular knitting) further simplifies the process for those still developing their knitting foundation.