Etna Crescent Shawl Wrap Knitting Pattern

Etna Crescent Shawl in Juniper Moon Sabine

What is Being Made

The Etna Crescent Shawl is a crescent-shaped knitted wrap designed by Tabetha Hedrick. This shawl features a distinctive crescent silhouette that drapes elegantly around the shoulders. The finished shawl measures approximately 57 inches across the wingspan and extends approximately 18 inches from the neck to its longest point, making it a versatile accessory suitable for layering over various outfits.

Knitting Techniques Used

This pattern employs several intermediate knitting techniques to create its elegant structure. The shawl utilizes yarn overs to create decorative lace elements throughout the design. Cable techniques are incorporated, specifically the 3/3 left cross (3/3 LC) cable, which adds textural interest and dimension to the piece. The pattern also uses decreases in the form of knit two together (k2tog) and slip, slip, knit (ssk) stitches to shape the crescent form and create the lace patterning. The shawl begins with a cast-on of 334 stitches and is worked in rows, with strategic turning points to achieve the crescent shape.

Stitches Used

The Etna Crescent Shawl features a custom stitch pattern called the Etna Stitch, which repeats over a multiple of 19 stitches plus 11 additional stitches. This stitch pattern spans 12 rows and combines several fundamental knitting stitches:

• Stockinette stitch (knit on right-side rows, purl on wrong-side rows) forms the base fabric
• Yarn overs (YO) create openwork and lace elements throughout the pattern
• Knit two together (k2tog) decreases for shaping and lace definition
• Purl stitches create textural contrast and frame the cable elements
• Cable crosses (3/3 LC) add dimensional texture
• Slip stitches (sl 1) at pattern edges for neat selvage edges
• Slip, slip, knit (ssk) decreases for left-leaning shaping
• Purl two together (p2tog) decreases on wrong-side rows

The pattern also includes a simple garter stitch border worked over 6 rows of knit stitches for a finished edge.

Materials and Gauge

The Etna Crescent Shawl is knitted using Juniper Moon Farm Sabine yarn in color #13 Acadia, with 2 hanks required to complete the project. Sabine is a fingering-weight yarn suitable for creating the delicate drape and stitch definition this pattern requires.

The pattern calls for US 8 (5mm) circular needles measuring 32 inches in length, or the size needed to achieve proper gauge. Additional notions include a cable needle for working the cable crosses, a tapestry needle for weaving in ends, and optional stitch markers to track pattern repeats.

The recommended gauge is 18 stitches and 25 rows over 4 inches in stockinette stitch, and 21 stitches and 26 rows over 4 inches in the Etna stitch when lightly stretched and measured lengthwise at the cable. The pattern notes that while gauge is not critical to the overall structure of this piece, adjusting gauge will affect the total yardage consumed, so knitters should plan accordingly if working at a different gauge.