Malabrigo Temperance Shawl Wrap Knitting Pattern

Malabrigo Temperance Shawl

What is Being Made

The Temperance Shawl is an intermediate-level knitted wrap designed by the malabrigo team. This is a triangular or crescent-shaped shawl that grows through strategic increases and decreases, creating a versatile accessory suitable for layering or draping. The shawl is worked from a cast-on edge outward, building dimension through geometric shaping techniques.

Knitting Techniques Used

This pattern employs several fundamental and intermediate knitting techniques that build shaping and visual interest. The shawl features increases along the borders worked every row using the kfb (knit front and back) method, which adds stitches to expand the width of the piece. Simultaneously, decreases along a center spine are worked on right-side rows, creating a balanced construction that prevents excessive bulk while maintaining elegant proportions.

The pattern incorporates color work with stripe sections, requiring the knitter to carry unused colors up the side of the work. This technique involves twisting the carried yarn with the working yarn at the beginning of every right-side row, bringing the carried yarn from right to left over the working yarn to maintain tension and prevent loose floats.

Stitch marker management is essential to this design. A stitch marker tracks the center decrease location, requiring the knitter to move the marker strategically to work the SK2P (slip, knit two together, pass slipped stitch over) decrease, which uses two stitches before the marker and one stitch after, then replaces the marker in its new position.

Stitches Used

• Knit (k) – the fundamental stitch forming the base fabric
• Purl (p) – used selectively for textural variation
• Garter Stitch – the primary stitch pattern, created by knitting every row, providing a textured, reversible fabric
• Yarn over (yo) – creates decorative eyelet holes and lace elements
• Knit front and back (kfb) – increases stitches along the borders
• Knit two together (k2tog) – a right-leaning decrease
• Slip, slip, knit (ssk) – a left-leaning decrease
• Slip, knit two together, pass slipped stitch over (SK2P) – a centered double decrease forming the spine
• Knit through back loop (k1tbl) – creates twisted stitches for textural interest
• Purl through back loop (p1tbl) – twisted purl variation
• Slip stitches (sl1wyb, sl1wyf) – slipped stitches with yarn in back or front for color work and edge finishing

Materials and Gauge

The Temperance Shawl is worked in Malabrigo Mechita or Malabrigo Sock yarn, with one skein required in each color. The sample shown features three colorways: Jasmine #347, Myths #344, and Gingy #358, demonstrating the shawl's versatility with the brand's vibrant palette.

Construction requires a size 6 (4mm) circular needle measuring 32 inches (80cm) in length, or the size needed to obtain the correct gauge. The pattern specifies a gauge of 24 stitches and 46 rows over 4 inches (10cm) in Garter Stitch, measured before blocking. Achieving this gauge is essential for proper finished dimensions and drape.

Additional notions include a stitch marker for tracking the center spine decreases and a tapestry needle for weaving in ends and finishing. Blocking is recommended to set the final measurements and enhance the shawl's drape and definition.

Pattern Characteristics

This intermediate-level pattern is suitable for knitters with foundational skills who are ready to manage multiple techniques simultaneously. The combination of increases, decreases, color work, and stitch marker management provides engaging complexity without overwhelming the crafter. The downloadable PDF format allows for convenient printing and reference during the knitting process.