Tyrannosaurus

Tyrannosaurus Shawl by Carissa Browning

What Is Being Made

Tyrannosaurus is a beginner-friendly crescent-shaped shawl designed by Carissa Browning. Inspired by the famous dinosaur, this knitted accessory features a distinctive silhouette and textural details that evoke the rough hide and characteristic features of a Tyrannosaurus Rex. The shawl is worked from the center outward and finished with decorative elements that create a playful visual reference to the dinosaur's famous toothy grin.

Finished Measurements

• Span: 57 inches
• Height at center: 14 inches
• Size: One size

Knitting Techniques Used

This shawl employs several fundamental knitting techniques suitable for beginners. The primary construction method is center-out knitting, where stitches are increased from a central point to create the crescent shape. The design incorporates short-rows, a shaping technique that creates depth and dimension without adding rows across the entire width, allowing the shawl to achieve its distinctive curved silhouette. Eyelets are strategically placed throughout the design, creating decorative openwork that forms the shawl's signature smile detail.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The primary stitch pattern is seed stitch, a fundamental textured stitch that alternates knit and purl stitches to create a bumpy, woven appearance. This stitch mimics the rough texture of dinosaur hide and provides visual interest across the entire shawl. The pattern utilizes standard increase stitches including M1L (make 1 left) and M1R (make 1 right) for shaping, as well as K3tog (knit 3 together) for decreases. Yarn overs are incorporated to create the eyelet details that form the decorative smile.

Materials and Specifications

The Tyrannosaurus shawl requires 1 skein of The Fiber Seed Sprout yarn in the colorway Midsummer Night. This yarn is composed of 90% merino and 10% nylon, providing softness with added durability and elasticity. Each skein contains 439 meters or 480 yards and weighs 135 grams. The yarn is classified as 4-ply weight, a medium-light yarn suitable for creating fabric with good drape and definition.

Tools Required

• US #6/4mm circular needle for working the shawl
• 17 stitch markers to track pattern repeats and shaping points
• Tapestry needle for weaving in ends and finishing

Gauge

The pattern specifies a gauge of 16 stitches and 42 rows over 4 inches in seed stitch. Achieving proper gauge is essential for obtaining the correct finished measurements and ensuring the shawl drapes appropriately.

Difficulty Level

Rated as a beginner pattern, Tyrannosaurus is accessible to knitters new to shawl construction. While the pattern introduces techniques such as center-out knitting, short-rows, and eyelets, these are presented in a straightforward manner suitable for developing knitters ready to expand their skill set beyond basic scarves and blankets.