Social knitters and beginners alike will rejoice at the simplicity of the Piper Shawl. Stripes are a fun way to keep the stitches flowing without having to stop every few stitches to check one’s place in a pattern repeat but still have a bit of visual interest to keep it fun. Shown here with the Classic Shades Hat, if you’re interested in crochet!
Skill Level: Easy
Size: 80″ wingspan x 35″ depth at deepest point, wet blocked
Gauge: 16 sts and 20 rows = 4″ [10 cm] in stockinette square MC, before blocking
12 sts and 18 rows = 4″ [10 cm] in stockinette square MC, while drying during blocking.
Materials
Yarn: Universal Yarns Deluxe Worsted Superwash (100% Superwash Wool; 220 yards [201 meters]/100 grams): 724 Starfish (2 balls)
Universal Yarns Classic Shades (70% Acrylic, 30% Wool; 197 yards [180 meters]/100 grams (1 ball)
Needle: US size 9 (5.5 mm) 30″ circular
Notions: Tapestry needle, 4 locking stitch markers, (optional) blocking wires and blocking board with pins
Pattern Notes
This design was developed to optimize the utilization of all three skeins with minimal overage.
To reduce the need to look at the pattern on every row, use two different colored markers; two to indicate m1l and 2 to indicate m1r.
Slip markers as you come to them on WS rows.
The last repeat of MC is abbreviated by one row to make a slightly wider CC band at the lower edges of the shawl. This is done to trick the eye into thinking the last CC band is the same size as those which proceed it. Since this last section will roll slightly over time between washings, it needs to be ever so slightly larger to maintain the visual line thereof.
The nature of superwash wool is to stretch when wet, this allows for the piece to be stretched to an ample size with an 80″ wingspan and 35″ depth at the widest point. If washed and dried per ball band instructions, the piece will be tighter and smaller, closer to a 72″ wingspan and 31″ depth.
Pattern
Using MC, CO 5 sts.
Row 1 (WS): K2, pm, k1, pm, k2
Row 2 (RS): K2, m1l, sm, k1, sm, m1r, k2
Row 3 and all WS rows unless specified: K2, purl to 2 sts from end of row, k2.
Row 4 (RS): K2, m1l, k to m, m1r, sm, k1, sm, m1l, k to m, m1r, k2. (4 sts inc’d)
Rows 5-20: Rep Rows 3-4. (43 sts)
Row 21: Rep Row 3.
Rows 22 and 26: Using CC, rep Row 4.
Rows 23 and 25: Rep Row 3.
Row 24: K2, (yo, k2tog) to 1 st from m, yo, k1, sm, k1, sm, k1, (yo, ssk) to m, yo, sm, k2. (4 sts inc’d)
Rows 27-46: Using MC, rep Rows 3-4.
Row 47: Rep Row 3.
Rows 48-52: Using CC, rep Rows 22-26.
Rep Rows 27-52, 3 times for a total of five stripes of MC and five of CC.
Rep Rows 27-46 once more.
Final Stripe
Row 1 (WS): Using CC, k2, purl to 2 sts from end of row, k2.
Row 2 (RS): K2, m1l, k to m, m1r, sm, k1, sm, m1l, k to m, m1r, k2. (4 sts inc’d)
Row 3: K2, *p2tog, yo rep from * to 1 st from m, p1, sm, p1, sm, p1, *yo, p2tog, rep to m, sm, k2
Row 4: Rep Row 2.
Rows 5-6: Knit
BO using a stretchy bind off. As shown the bind off was done as *k1, pass k st back to left needle, k2togtbl; rep to last st.
Fasten off.
Finishing
As written, the shawl may be machine washed and dried. It is suggested the shawl is washed in gentle by machine and dried until damp. When damp remove the shawl from the drier and block to the desired dimensions using blocking wires and pins on an appropriately sized blocking board. Dry out of direct sunlight.
Remove blocking wires and pins.
Enjoy your new shawl.
Where do I find a knitting dictionary to tell me what all those abbreviations are? I don’t even understand ml1, or CC or BO, so…..seems to me that this beginniner pattern is more for advanced beginners. I must start in the NEWEST beginner class or is there one called “Clueless Class”? Can’t knit if I don’t have the vocabulary to do so….
Hello Sally!
You might find this article helpful: https://www.ilikeknitting.com/magazine/knitting-articles-and-interviews/make-one-knitting-m1r-and-m1l-tutorial/
CC typically means “contrasting color” and BO means “bind off”
Hope this helps! – Nicola, Editor
Here is a link that explains Knitting Abbreviations – https://www.craftyarncouncil.com/standards/knitting-abbreviations
I want to make one of these shawls for a prayer shawl for my church….what does the sm abbreviation stand for in the directions? I think I have the others figured out…
Dotty B.
Hello! I believe sm means “slip marker” hope this helps! – Nicola, Editor
Thank you. I am looking forward to your patterns.
I joined the gold club a couple of weeks ago but have not had time to look through everything. I have a crochet afghanblanket about half way done so mayb hopefully then I will be ablable
I’m confused where to set each marker.
Hi Anne! We’ve reached out to the designer for clarification and she or I will reply as soon as we can. Thanks! – Nicola, Editor
Hi Anne! Use one marker on either side of the center stitch as stated in the pattern. If you want a visual reminder of the other two increases, place markers two stitches in from the left edge and right edge to remind you to do the increase there as suggested in the pattern notes. Hope this helps! – Nicola, Editor