Wildland

Wildland Shawl by Megan Gonzalez

What is Being Made

Wildland is an intermediate-level triangular shawl designed by independent designer Megan Gonzalez. This downloadable knitting pattern creates a generous wingspan shawl measuring 61 inches (155 cm) across with a center depth of 22 inches (56 cm). The shawl features a multi-color construction using four distinct yarn colors to create visual interest and depth in the finished piece.

Construction and Design

The Wildland shawl is constructed in five separate sections that are knitted and then assembled together. This modular approach allows knitters to work with manageable portions of the project while building a larger, more complex final garment. The color work is intentional and strategic, with the designer recommending that knitters choose their favorite color for the largest section (Color B), as this will be the most visible area of the completed shawl.

Knitting Techniques

This pattern employs garter stitch as the primary stitch structure, which creates a reversible, textured fabric with horizontal ridges. Garter stitch is achieved by knitting every row, making it an accessible technique for intermediate knitters while still producing an elegant, dimensional result. The multi-section construction requires knitters to understand how to join separate pieces together, adding complexity appropriate for the intermediate skill level.

Yarn Requirements and Specifications

The Wildland shawl requires a total of 1725 yards (1575 meters) of yarn weighing approximately 430 grams. The yarn is distributed across four colors in varying quantities:

• Color A: 325 yards (295 meters), 80 grams
• Color B: 1000 yards (915 meters), 250 grams — the dominant color in the design
• Color C: 120 yards (110 meters), 30 grams
• Contrast Color (CC): 285 yards (260 meters), 70 grams

The pattern is designed to work with 3-ply, 4-ply, and DK weight yarns. The suggested yarn options include Life in the Long Grass (LITLG) Singles in 100% superwash merino, available at 400 yards per 100 grams, and Qing Fiber Merino Single, also 100% superwash merino at the same yardage. Specific color recommendations from these yarn lines include Golddust, Lichen, Hillside, and Nest.

Yarn Weight Flexibility

Knitters have flexibility in yarn weight selection. The pattern accommodates fingering weight yarn held double as a single strand, or alternatively, a single strand of DK weight yarn can be substituted. When using DK weight as a substitute, approximately 865 yards (790 meters) total will be needed instead of the full 1725 yards, representing roughly half the yardage. The designer recommends building in extra yardage as a safety margin when making weight substitutions.

Gauge and Needles

The pattern specifies a gauge of 23 stitches and 40 rows over 4 inches (10 centimeters) in garter stitch. Achieving proper gauge is essential for the shawl to reach its intended finished dimensions. While specific needle sizes are not detailed in the provided pattern excerpt, knitters should select needles appropriate for their chosen yarn weight to achieve the specified gauge.

Color Customization Options

The Wildland pattern offers creative flexibility for customization. Knitters can choose to knit all five sections in a single color for a monochromatic interpretation, or they can experiment with different color combinations. The designer emphasizes that the color fade effect shown in the original design requires strategic color placement, with the most abundant yarn (Color B) positioned in the most visible section for maximum visual impact.

Skill Level and Craftsmanship

Rated as intermediate difficulty, this pattern is suitable for knitters who have mastered basic knitting fundamentals and are ready to tackle multi-section construction and color work planning. The use of garter stitch keeps the technical stitch work manageable while the modular construction and color coordination add complexity and design sophistication to the finished garment.