Koigu Tropical Tickle Wrap Knitting Pattern

Koigu Tropical Tickle Hex 3D Shawl

What Is Being Made

The Koigu Tropical Tickle is a three-dimensional hexagonal shawl designed by Maria Leigh. This innovative shawl is constructed using a modular block approach, building outward from a central hexagon through five progressive tiers. The finished shawl measures 53 inches (135 centimeters) in width and 22 inches (56 centimeters) in length, with each individual hexagonal side measuring 2¾ inches (7 centimeters). The dimensional construction creates visual depth and textural interest, making this shawl a striking accessory piece.

Construction Method and Techniques

This shawl employs a bottom-up, modular construction technique that is worked flat and in the round. The design begins with a single hexagon block at the center and progressively adds hexagonal and pentagonal blocks in expanding tiers. The shawl is built through five distinct tiers: Tier 1 contains 4 hexagons, Tier 2 adds 7 hexagons, Tier 3 includes 10 hexagons, and Tier 4 builds 13 pentagons, with the final tier completing the structure. Each tier increases by 3 blocks, creating a mathematically balanced expansion. Individual blocks are attached by picking up stitches along the sides of previously completed blocks, allowing for seamless integration. This modular approach makes the shawl easily customizable—additional hexagon tiers can be added beneath the final pentagon tier to enlarge the finished piece.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The Tropical Tickle shawl is worked using stockinette stitch as the foundation, with lace pattern charts guiding the shaping and texture. Knitters follow pattern chart rounds 2 through 10 for the initial construction phase, then switch colors and work pattern chart rounds 11 through 21 to complete each block. The lace elements are integrated through these charted patterns, creating openwork details that enhance the three-dimensional quality of the finished shawl. Stitches are cast on in multiples of 21, with hexagons requiring 126 cast-on stitches and pentagons requiring 105 cast-on stitches. The gauge is 28 stitches by 36 rows in stockinette stitch over 4 inches (10 centimeters).

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The Tropical Tickle shawl is designed to be worked with Koigu KPPPM Tropical Tickle yarn from the Koigu Pencil Box Collection. This yarn is 100% Merino wool, offered in a vibrant color palette including brights, fiesta, and tribal art colorways. The yarn comes in demi skeins, with the Pencil Pack containing 10 skeins of 25 grams each, yielding 87 yards (80 meters) per skein. The specific color numbers included are P803, P820, P646, P847, P222, P405, P872, P882, P819, and P461. Each hexagon block uses approximately 28 yards (26 meters) of yarn, while each pentagon block uses approximately 23 yards (22 meters). The shawl is worked on 3.5 millimeter US size 4 double-pointed needles (or the size needed to obtain gauge), along with stitch markers and a tapestry needle for finishing and weaving in yarn tails. The finished shawl is wet blocked on the wrong side to set the stitches and enhance the three-dimensional structure.