Noro Shawl Wrap Knitting Pattern

Noro Shawl

What Is Being Made

The Noro Shawl is an intermediate-level knitted wrap designed as a triangular or crescent-shaped accessory. With finished measurements of 60 inches in width and approximately 21 inches in length at the center, this shawl provides generous coverage suitable for layering or wearing as a statement piece. The design is worked flat on a circular needle, making it accessible for knitters comfortable with basic construction techniques.

Techniques Used

This shawl employs several key knitting techniques that define its structure and aesthetic appeal:

• Top-Down Construction: The shawl is worked from the top downward, allowing knitters to try on the piece as it grows and adjust the final length as desired.
• Seamless Construction: The design requires no seaming, as the shawl is created as one continuous piece, eliminating the need for finishing seams.
• Worked Flat: Although a circular needle is used to accommodate the large number of stitches, the shawl is not joined in the round. Instead, it is worked back and forth in rows on the circular needle.
• Lace Patterning: Lace techniques are incorporated throughout the design, creating openwork sections that add visual interest and drape to the finished piece.
• Selvage Stitch Borders: A 2-stitch garter stitch border is maintained at each side of the shawl, created by slipping the first stitch of every row. This edge treatment helps create clean, finished-looking sides.

Stitches Used

The Noro Shawl utilizes fundamental knitting stitches combined to create texture and lace effects:

• Stockinette Stitch: The primary stitch used throughout the shawl, providing a smooth, classic fabric base.
• Garter Stitch: Used for the 2-stitch selvage borders on each side, creating a defined edge.
• Yarn Overs: Essential to lace patterning, yarn overs create the openwork holes characteristic of lace shawls.
• Decreases: Paired with yarn overs to maintain stitch count while creating the lace pattern and shaping the triangular form.
• Slip Stitches: The first stitch of every row is slipped, contributing to the selvage edge finish.

Materials

The Noro Shawl requires minimal materials, making it an efficient project:

• Yarn: One 100-gram hank of Noro Kiri in colorway #06. Noro Kiri is known for its beautiful color variations and drape, making it ideal for lace shawl projects.
• Needles: One US size 8 (5mm) circular needle, 32 inches in length. The circular needle accommodates the increasing stitch count as the shawl expands from the top down, though it is worked flat rather than in the round.
• Gauge: 18 stitches and 25 rows over 4 inches in Stockinette stitch using the specified needle size. Achieving proper gauge is essential for obtaining the correct finished measurements.

Additional Notes

The pattern recommends using LYKKE needles and hooks for best results. Knitters should take time to check gauge before beginning the project to ensure the finished shawl meets the intended dimensions. The use of a circular needle is specifically for stitch accommodation rather than for working in the round, so knitters should be comfortable working flat on circular needles.