Koigu Nude Pencil Box Petite Shawl Wrap Knitting Pattern

Nude Pencil Box Petite Shawl by Unjung Yun

What is Being Made

The Nude Pencil Box Petite Shawl is a sophisticated knitted wrap designed as part of the Koigu Pencil Box Collection. This petite shawl features a geometric construction built from multiple stacked halfcircle tiers, creating a structured, architectural silhouette. With finished measurements of approximately 52 1/3 inches (133 centimeters) in width and 13 1/3 inches (34 centimeters) in length, this shawl works as a versatile accessory suitable for layering or draping across the shoulders.

Techniques Used

This advanced knitting project employs short row shaping as its primary construction technique, which allows the knitter to create three-dimensional depth and sculptural form without increasing or decreasing stitches in traditional ways. The pattern utilizes the wrap and turn (w&t) method extensively—a short row technique where stitches are wrapped to prevent holes at turning points, then worked together with their wraps on subsequent rows.

The shawl is constructed in distinct tiers: a Base Halfcircle Tier followed by Halfcircle 1 Tier and Halfcircle 2 Tier. Each tier builds upon the previous one, with the knitter slipping stitches purlwise to create clean edges between sections. The pattern requires careful attention to stitch markers for tracking the completion of each halfcircle unit, and the construction involves repeating base halfcircle sequences multiple times (14 times for the base tier, then 13 times for subsequent tiers) to build the complete shawlette.

Stitches Used

• Garter Stitch: The primary stitch throughout the project, created by knitting every row. This produces a reversible, textured fabric with horizontal ridges.
• Wrap and Turn (w&t): A short row technique executed by slipping the next stitch purlwise with yarn in back (wyib) on right-side rows or yarn in front (wyif) on wrong-side rows, moving yarn between needles to the opposite side, slipping the stitch back to the left-hand needle, and turning work. When encountering wrapped stitches on subsequent rows, the knitter works the wrap together with its stitch to close the gap.
• Slip Stitch (sl purlwise): Used to transfer stitches between needles without working them, creating clean edges and transitions between tiers.

Materials and Specifications

This pattern calls for Koigu KPPPM Pencil Box Nude yarn, a 100% Merino wool in the Nude colorway. The project requires 10 demi skeins (25 grams each, 87 yards or 80 meters per skein), totaling approximately 870 yards of yarn. One additional skein of KPM #2409 (A) is specified for color work within the tiers.

Needles required include a 3.5mm/US 4 circular needle or the size necessary to achieve proper gauge. Additional notions include stitch markers for tracking tier completion and a tapestry needle for weaving in ends.

Gauge

The pattern specifies a gauge of 20 stitches and 26 rows to 4 inches (10 centimeters) over Garter stitch using a size US 4 circular needle. Achieving correct gauge is essential for obtaining the finished measurements of approximately 52 1/3 inches wide by 13 1/3 inches long.

Difficulty Level

Classified as an advanced knitting project, this shawl requires solid understanding of short row shaping, wrap and turn techniques, and the ability to follow complex stitch patterns with multiple repeating tiers. Knitters should be comfortable reading detailed pattern instructions, managing stitch markers, and executing wraps cleanly to prevent holes in the finished fabric.

Design Credits

The Nude Pencil Box Petite Shawl was designed by Unjung Yun and is part of the Koigu Pencil Box Collection 2, published by Koigu Wool Designs in Ontario, Canada in 2019. This downloadable PDF pattern is intended for individual, non-commercial use only.