Maira Shawl Crochet Pattern

Maira Shawl in Berroco Estiva

What is Being Made

The Maira Shawl is an intermediate-level triangular shawl designed by Amy Christoffers. This downloadable crochet pattern creates a finished shawl measuring approximately 34 inches across the top and 16 inches down the center after blocking. The shawl is worked in a single color using Berroco Estiva yarn in the Forest colorway, making it an elegant accessory suitable for various occasions and seasons.

Techniques Used

The Maira Shawl employs fundamental shawl construction techniques that build upon each other to create an expanding triangular shape. The pattern uses a repeating 10-row pattern stitch that increases the total stitch count by 5 stitches with each complete repeat. Key techniques include:

• Yarn overs (yo) for creating decorative openwork and shaping increases
• Decreases including k2tog (knit two together) and CDD (central double decrease) to shape the shawl edges and create stitch definition
• Stitch marker placement to track pattern repeats and maintain consistent shaping
• Bind-off techniques used strategically within the pattern to reduce stitches at specific intervals
• Blocking after completion to achieve final measurements and even out the fabric

Stitches Used

The Maira Shawl is constructed primarily using garter stitch, which creates a textured, reversible fabric with excellent drape and durability. The pattern incorporates the following specific stitches and abbreviations:

• Garter Stitch (Garter St) – knit every row, forming the main fabric structure
• Yarn Over (yo) – creates both decorative holes and increases for shaping
• Knit Two Together (k2tog) – a right-leaning decrease used for shaping and creating stitch definition
• Central Double Decrease (CDD) – a centered decrease that creates a vertical line of definition
• K3tog – knit three stitches together for more aggressive decreasing
• Slip Marker (sm) – used to track pattern sections without affecting stitch count

Materials and Tools

The Maira Shawl requires minimal materials, making it an economical project. One 150-gram cake of Berroco Estiva yarn in colorway #2618 Forest provides sufficient yardage for the complete shawl. The yarn choice is significant, as Berroco Estiva is specifically recommended for this pattern to ensure proper gauge and finished measurements.

Construction requires a 24-inch circular needle in size 11 (8.00 mm) or the size needed to obtain the correct gauge. A single stitch marker is used to track the center increase line throughout the pattern. The gauge for this project is 10 stitches and 18 rows equals 4 inches in garter stitch after blocking, which should be verified before beginning the project to ensure accurate finished dimensions.

Pattern Structure

The Maira Shawl begins with a small cast-on of 8 stitches and uses a systematic increase section that repeats 12 times. Each 10-row repeat increases the stitch count by 5 stitches, allowing the triangular shape to expand gradually and evenly. The pattern includes both right-side and wrong-side rows, with increases occurring on right-side rows and garter stitch maintenance on wrong-side rows. The pattern concludes with a finishing section that binds off remaining stitches and secures the yarn.

Finishing

After completing all pattern repeats, finishing is straightforward and involves weaving in yarn ends and blocking the shawl as desired. Blocking is essential for this project, as it sets the final measurements and helps even out the garter stitch texture for a polished, professional appearance.