I’m convinced that shawls are the perfect knit item for spring and early summer. Chilly breeze? Put a shawl on! Sunny afternoon? How about a light silk wrap? Shawls are versatile as they can be styled casual or dressy, in all types of weather. They’re also fun to knit and easily portable.
I put together a little list of shawl knitting patterns that I’m loving for spring and cool summer days. Because there are so many variations on construction, I’ve separated them out into four categories — triangular, crescent, Pi (circle and half-circle) and Wrap. Which is your favorite?
Triangular
Triangular shawls are one of my favorite shapes. I like how they can be worn draped over the back, folded in the front (like a bandana), or off to the side over a shoulder. From tiny shawlettes to ready-for-winter wraps, triangular shawls are a joy to knit and to wear.
If you’re new to shawl knitting, the Marigold Lace Shawl would be a perfect pattern to learn triangular construction with a bit of fun lace.
I love how delicate and soft the Angel Shawl looks!
The Sunlight Shawl for Sad People is a delightful knit. It can be knit up in any weight of yarn and in any color
Springtime Bandit is a perfect combination of traditional leaf motifs with a modern flair
Mara is a wonderfully simple shawl featuring a pleated border. It is perfect for a special skein of variegated or speckled yarn
Lovely, lovely Haruni. So easy to customize, and beautiful to wear. It features a repeating leaf motif with a larger leaf edging. Best of all, it looks wonderful with colorful or tonal yarn.
Crescent
Crescent shawls are incredibly elegant. With swooping wings and lacy edging, they’re effortlessly wearable.
Ginkgo is one of my all-time favorite shawls. The original shawl pattern comes in triangular construction, but it also has a modification for knitting it crescent-shaped
Eyeblink is an easy lace shawl with an adjustable size and a beautiful border
Cameo Flower features a triple spine and a flowing lace border
Rose Garden is simply stunning! The repeating leaf pattern makes me think of gardens in full Springtime bloom
Alpine Meadows is for the more ambitious of us. It comes in two sizes, and uses techniques such as crocheted picot.
Circle + Half-Circle
Circle and Half-Circle shawls are striking. They take a remarkable amount of time to knit, but the result is well worth it.
Vernal Equinox is a truly incredible shawl, and all you need to know to knit it is basic lace!
Shipwreck Shawl is my favorite circular shawl. Beaded or not, it is unique and lovely. It also is perfect for ombre yarn.
Last but not least, Heliotaxis is a circular shawl in the Estonian lace tradition.
Wraps
Wraps are perfect for chilly spring evenings. They are a classic shape and accessible for all levels of knitting. I definitely recommend them for new lace knitters as well!
Livezey is a color-blocked wrap that is perfect for beginners
the Jasmine Scarf is perfect for yarn with a halo
Feather & Fan is of my favorite stitch patterns, and this wrap is easily customized to make it larger or smaller
Aisé is perfect for minimalists and for your softest, most luxurious yarn
The Diamond Sparkle Wrap is simply stunning!
What shawl stuns you the most? Let us know below in the comments!
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