Cascade Yarns FW Bright Burst Shawl Wrap Knitting Pattern

Cascade Yarns FW Bright Burst Shawl

What Is Being Made

The Cascade Yarns FW Bright Burst Shawl is a knitted triangular wrap designed as an accessory piece. With finished measurements of 67 inches (170 cm) wingspan and 26 inches (66 cm) deep, this shawl provides generous coverage suitable for layering or wrapping. The design features a distinctive color-striped construction using four vibrant colorways from the Cascade Yarns palette: Sunflower, Castor Grey, Georgia Peach, and Poppy Red, creating a bright, multi-hued effect that gives the shawl its name.

Techniques Used

This shawl employs several key knitting techniques that contribute to its elegant structure and visual interest. The garment is constructed using a top-down seamless approach, beginning with a small garter tab that serves as the foundation. From this tab, stitches are picked up and increased systematically to create the triangular shawl shape. The design incorporates lace elements through strategic yarn-over increases that create openwork sections and contribute to the shawl's drape and breathability. Stripes are worked by changing yarn colors at designated points in the pattern, allowing the four colorways to create distinct horizontal bands throughout the piece. The construction maintains garter stitch borders on the edges (3 stitches on each side) to frame the design and provide stability.

Stitches Used

The Cascade Yarns FW Bright Burst Shawl utilizes fundamental and intermediate knitting stitches. The pattern relies heavily on garter stitch, which is created by knitting every row and forms the initial tab and edge borders. Stockinette stitch comprises the main body of the shawl, created by alternating knit rows on the right side with purl rows on the wrong side, providing a smooth, classic fabric. Yarn overs (YO) are used throughout to create intentional holes and lace effects while simultaneously increasing stitches to expand the triangular shape. The pattern also incorporates slip stitches (Sl) worked with yarn in back (wyib) or yarn in front (wyif) to create subtle texture and visual interest within the striped sections. A centered double decrease (S2KP2—slip 2 stitches as if to knit 2 together, knit 1, pass 2 slipped stitches over the knit stitch) and standard decreases like slip, slip, knit (SSK) and knit 2 together (K2tog) are employed for shaping.

Materials and Tools

The Cascade Yarns FW Bright Burst Shawl is worked in Cascade Yarns Cascade 220 Fingering, a fingering-weight yarn composed of 100% Peruvian Highland Wool. Each colorway requires one 50-gram skein (1.75 ounces), which yields 273 yards (250 meters) per skein. The four required colors are:

• 1026 – Sunflower (C1)
• 9620 – Castor Grey (C2)
• 1022 – Georgia Peach (C3)
• 1021 – Poppy Red (C4)

The project is worked on US 6 (4 mm) knitting needles, or needles adjusted to obtain the specified gauge. A yarn needle is required for weaving in ends. The recommended gauge is 17 stitches by 26 rows over 4 inches (10 cm) in blocked stockinette stitch, though the pattern notes that gauge is not critical—variations will affect yarn consumption and the finished size and drape of the shawl.

Difficulty Level and Design Credit

The Cascade Yarns FW Bright Burst Shawl is rated at an Intermediate skill level, making it suitable for knitters with some experience beyond basic techniques. The pattern was designed by Laurie Beardsley and is available as a free downloadable PDF (pattern code FW293) from Cascade Yarns, making it an accessible project for knitters seeking a colorful, multi-technique shawl pattern.