Brekken Shawl Wrap Knitting Pattern

Brekken Shawl by Marie Grace Smith

What Is Being Made

The Brekken shawl is a triangular knitted wrap named after a poem by Christine De Luca. This accessory measures 60 inches (152.5 cm) wide by 19 inches (48 cm) long, making it an ideal lightweight layer to grab on your way out the door. The shawl features a classic triangular silhouette that drapes elegantly over the shoulders.

Craft and Design Overview

Brekken is a knitting project designed for crafters seeking a simple, easy-to-memorize pattern. The shawl construction uses a straightforward approach that makes it suitable for knitters who want an uncomplicated yet stylish finished piece. The design emphasizes accessibility without sacrificing visual interest.

Knitting Techniques Used

This shawl employs several fundamental knitting techniques to create its structure and decorative elements:

• Stockinette stitch forms the primary fabric base, creating a smooth, classic appearance
• Eyelet rows introduce visual interest and texture through strategic yarn overs and decreases
• Increases using M1L (make one left) and M1R (make one right) methods shape the triangular form by adding stitches at specific intervals
• Yarn overs create decorative holes and contribute to the shawl's drape
• Garter stitch rows appear periodically to add textural variation
• Knit two together decreases work in combination with yarn overs to form the eyelet pattern

Stitches and Stitch Abbreviations

The pattern uses the following stitches and abbreviations:

• St st (stockinette stitch) – the primary stitch creating the smooth fabric
• K (knit) – fundamental knit stitch
• P (purl) – purl stitch used on wrong-side rows
• Yo (yarn over) – creates decorative eyelets and increases
• K2tog (knit two together) – a right-leaning decrease used in eyelet sequences
• M1L (make one left) – a left-leaning increase created by inserting the left needle from front to back into the horizontal strand between stitches and knitting through the back loop
• M1R (make one right) – a right-leaning increase created by inserting the left needle from back to front into the horizontal strand between stitches and knitting through the front loop
• Sl (slip) – slipping stitches, typically used to move stitch markers

Pattern Structure and Repeats

The Brekken shawl uses a repeating 18-row pattern sequence that is worked four times total. The pattern includes regular stockinette rows, garter rows for textural breaks, and eyelet rows that create decorative openwork. Stitch markers are placed to help track the center stitch and define increase sections. The pattern increases by 54 stitches per complete 18-row repeat, resulting in a finished stitch count of 225 stitches.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

Yarn: This shawl is worked in Juniper Moon Farm Marlowe Jeweltones in color #103 Key Lime Pie. The project requires 3 balls of yarn, providing sufficient yardage for the complete triangular shawl.

Needles: The pattern calls for US9 (5.5 mm) long circular needles for knitting flat. Circular needles are used here not for working in the round, but rather to accommodate the increasing number of stitches as the triangular shawl grows wider.

Gauge and Finishing

The pattern specifies a gauge of 16 stitches and 24 rows equaling 4 inches (10 cm) in stockinette stitch. Achieving proper gauge is essential for obtaining the correct finished measurements. Additional notions required include a tapestry needle for weaving in ends and stitch markers to track pattern sections.