For years I have been making comfort shawls. It is one of my favorite ways to tell people that I care. I have tried lots of patterns but I keep coming back to the basic triangle. It is quick and easy to knit, is easy to adjust to the yarn you have on hand, and works with those yarns that don’t play nicely with other patterns.

My friends at Knitworthy podcast are hosting a charity knit-along in June and I am hosting a shawl knit-along on my Raverly group so I decided that we could combine the two and allow a charity option for my knit-along. So, I decided it was time to share my tried and true comfort shawl patterns for the occasion.

These easy shawls worked in garter stitch  are perfect for beginners or for TV or travel knitting for more experienced knitters. Both patterns will work with any weight of yarn so they are great for stash busting.

 

Yarn

100 – 400 g yarn in any size or fiber. Yardage will vary depending on the yarn chosen but here are some guidelines

• Fingering or sport weight:  300 – 400 yd for small shawl; 600-800 yds for large shawl.
• DK or worsted weight: 200 – 300 yd for small shawl; 400 – 600 yd or more for large shawl.
• Bulky weight: 150 – 300 yd for small shawl; 300 – 600 yd or more for large shawl

Needles

Gauge is not critical. Use a needle size that will give you a drapey but not overly loose fabric. 1 – 2 sizes larger than the size recommended on the yarn label should be suitable.

Notions

• Stitch markers
• Tapestry needle

Pattern Notes

These patterns are easily adaptable to multiple colors so both are great patterns for stash busting.

Abbreviations

RS/WS – Right side/Wrong side

k – knit

kfb – knit in the front and back of the same stitch

pm – place marker

sm – slip marker

st(s) – stitch(es)

yo – yarn over

Simple Shawl

Cast on 3 sts.

Row 1 (RS): K1, kfb twice. (5 sts)

Row 2 (and every WS row): Knit.

Row 3: K1, kfb,pm, k1, kfb, k1. (7 sts)

Row 5: K1, kfb twice, sm, k1, kfb, twice, k1 (11 sts)

Row 7: K1, kfb, k to st before marker, kfb, sm, k1, kfb, k to last 2 sts, kfb, k1. (increasing 4 sts)

Repeat Rows 7 – 8 until you have the desired length or you have used almost all your yarn, reserving enough yarn for the bind off.

Bind off loosely.

Block if desired, then enjoy.

Simple Lacy shawl

Cast on 3 sts.

Row 1 (RS): K1, yo, pm, k1, yo, k1. (5 sts)

Row 2 (and all WS rows): Knit.

Row 3: K1, yo, k to marker, yo, sm, k1 yo, k to last st, yo, k1. (increasing 4 sts)

Repeat Rows 2 – 3 until you have reached desired length or have used most of your yarn, reserving enough for the bind off.

Bind off loosely.

Block if desired, and enjoy.