Briallen Shawl Wrap Knitting Pattern

Briallen Shawl in Berroco

What is Being Made

The Briallen Shawl is an intermediate-level triangular wrap designed by Alison Green. This knitted shawl features a generous finished size of approximately 78 inches across the top edge with a 26-inch depth measured down the center after blocking. The shawl is worked from a small cast-on and progressively expands outward, making it an ideal project for knitters seeking to develop their skills in shawl construction and lace pattern work.

Techniques Used

This shawl employs several fundamental knitting techniques suited to intermediate crafters. The construction begins with a small cast-on of just 3 stitches, which gradually increases throughout the project. The main body is worked from a charted lace pattern that is repeated multiple times, with each repeat adding additional stitches to create the triangular silhouette. The pattern requires working from charts, which helps knitters visualize the lace motifs. After completing the main body, an edging is added using the cable cast-on method, worked perpendicular to the shawl edge. This edging incorporates decreases—including k2tog and k3tog—that bind off the live stitches from the shawl body as the edging progresses. Blocking is essential to achieve the finished measurements and to open up the lace pattern.

Stitches Used

• Knit (K): The fundamental knit stitch forms the base of the fabric
• Purl (P): Used on wrong-side rows to create texture and structure
• K2tog (Knit Two Together): A right-leaning decrease used in the lace pattern and edging
• K3tog (Knit Three Together): A more pronounced decrease incorporated into the edging rows
• Yarn Over: Creates the openwork and lace characteristics visible in the charted pattern repeats
• Slip, Slip, Knit (SSK): A left-leaning decrease that appears in the chart key

Pattern Structure and Progression

The Briallen Shawl is constructed in a methodical, expanding pattern. Knitters begin by working Rows 1 through 36 from the provided chart, then repeat Rows 25 through 36 an additional twelve times, for a total of 180 rows in the main body. With each pattern repeat, one additional repeat is added across the width, allowing the shawl to grow progressively larger. This structured approach results in 273 live stitches remaining on the needle at the completion of the main body.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

Yarn: The Briallen Shawl is designed to be worked in Berroco Cambria, a yarn that comes in 50-gram hanks. The pattern calls for 5 hanks in the colorway #7942 Oak. Berroco Cambria is selected for its specific drape and stitch definition, which allows the lace pattern to display beautifully after blocking.

Needles: A 40-inch circular needle in size 6 (4.00 mm) is required, or a size that allows the knitter to obtain the specified gauge. Circular needles are used throughout the project to accommodate the increasing stitch count as the shawl expands.

Gauge and Finishing

Achieving the correct gauge is critical for this project. The pattern specifies that one pattern repeat of 18 stitches should measure 4¾ inches in width, and 29 rows should measure 4 inches in height after blocking. The pattern notes emphasize checking gauge before beginning to ensure accurate finished measurements. Once the main body is complete, an attached edging is worked using the cable cast-on method, with the edging stitches decreased into the shawl body stitches as work progresses. All ends are woven in, and the finished shawl is blocked to open up the lace pattern and achieve the specified dimensions of 78 inches across by 26 inches down the center.