Trail Ridge Shawl

Trail Ridge Shawl by MsYarn Designs

What is Being Made

The Trail Ridge Shawl is an asymmetrical triangular shawl designed as a beginner-friendly knitting project. This downloadable PDF pattern from independent designer MsYarn Designs creates a generous shawl with a wingspan of 70 inches (178 centimeters) and a depth of 14 inches (35.5 centimeters), making it suitable for layering or wrapping. The shawl is worked flat on circular needles using a bias construction technique that produces an elegant, flowing garment.

Techniques Used

The Trail Ridge Shawl employs several fundamental knitting techniques that make it accessible to beginner-level knitters. The shawl is constructed using bias knitting, a method where the fabric is worked diagonally rather than in traditional rows, creating natural shaping and drape. The pattern utilizes simultaneous increases and decreases worked at both edges of the piece, which control the shawl's asymmetrical triangular shape while the knitter progresses through the pattern. The long-tail cast-on method is used to begin the project with an initial 6 stitches, and the pattern involves repeating a two-row sequence 99 times until reaching the final stitch count of 106 stitches.

Stitches Used

The Trail Ridge Shawl pattern incorporates basic knitting stitches suitable for beginner crafters. The primary stitch used throughout the shawl is garter stitch, which is created by knitting every row and produces a textured, reversible fabric with horizontal ridges. The pattern employs knit stitches (k) as the foundation, along with kfbf (knit front, back, and front), which is an increase technique that creates three stitches from one stitch to add width to the shawl. K2tog (knit two together) is used as a decrease technique at the opposite edge, balancing the increases and maintaining the shawl's asymmetrical shape. Additional techniques include slip stitches with yarn in front (sl wyif) worked at the edges for a neat, finished appearance.

Materials and Specifications

The Trail Ridge Shawl pattern is designed to work with sport weight yarn, also classified as 3-ply yarn. The project requires approximately 510 yards (466 meters) of yarn, typically needing 3 skeins when using standard 50-gram skeins. The sample shown in the pattern was created using Quince and Co Chickadee in the Lichen colorway, a 100% wool yarn that provides approximately 181 yards per 50-gram skein. Knitters will need US 6 / 4.0mm circular needles measuring 32 to 40 inches (80 to 100 centimeters) in length to accommodate the shawl's increasing stitch count while working flat. A tapestry needle is required for weaving in yarn ends upon completion. The pattern specifies a gauge of 19 stitches by 30 rows equals 4 inches in garter stitch when blocked, though the pattern notes that exact gauge is not crucial as variations will affect the final yardage and measurements.