Parsons Shawl Wrap Knitting Pattern

Parsons Shawl in Berroco Millstone Tweed

What Is Being Made

The Parsons Shawl is a triangular knitted wrap designed by the Berroco Design Team. This intermediate-level shawl measures approximately 65 inches across the top and 23 inches down the center, making it a generous accessory suitable for layering or draping. The shawl is worked flat from the bottom up, gradually increasing in width to create its distinctive triangular silhouette.

Construction and Techniques

This shawl employs a bottom-up construction method, meaning knitters begin at the point and work outward toward the wider top edge. The pattern utilizes yarn overs as a primary shaping technique to create the gradual increases that form the triangular shape. The design incorporates cable stitches as decorative elements, which add visual interest and textural depth to the finished piece.

The pattern provides both charted instructions and written row-by-row directions, allowing knitters to choose their preferred method of following the pattern. This dual approach accommodates different learning styles and preferences among crafters. The shawl is worked on circular needles despite being knitted flat, which provides comfortable needle length for managing the increasing number of stitches as the project grows.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The Parsons Shawl features multiple stitch techniques:

• Moss Stitch — used for border sections, creating a subtle textured edge
• Cable stitches — including C5R (cable 5 right), C5L (cable 5 left), C5Rp (cable 5 right purl), C5Lp (cable 5 left purl), C7R (cable 7 right), and C7L (cable 7 left), which create twisted rope-like patterns throughout the design
• Yarn overs — used strategically for both shaping increases and decorative lace elements
• Stockinette stitch — forms the base fabric between patterned sections

The pattern includes a charted design section (Chart 1) that coordinates with the cable and yarn over work. Gauge for the Moss Stitch sections is 15 stitches and 25 rows over 4 inches, while the Chart 1 pattern gauges at 23 stitches and 25 rows over 4 inches. Gauge is measured after blocking, making it essential for knitters to swatch and block before beginning the full project to ensure accurate finished measurements.

Materials and Tools

The Parsons Shawl is worked in Berroco Millstone Tweed, a yarn that provides warmth and durability. The pattern calls for 5 balls of this yarn in the colorway #11104 Peanut, with each ball weighing 50 grams. This yarn choice creates a fabric with subtle texture and visual interest.

Essential tools include a 32-inch or longer circular needle in size 9 (5.5 mm), which accommodates the growing stitch count as the triangular shawl expands. Additional notions include a cable needle for managing the cable stitches, 2 stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and increases, and a tapestry needle for weaving in ends upon completion. The use of circular needles for flat knitting is a practical choice that reduces hand fatigue during extended knitting sessions.

Skill Level and Finishing

Rated as an intermediate project, the Parsons Shawl is suitable for knitters with foundational skills who are ready to work with cables and charted patterns. The combination of cable work and yarn over increases requires attention to stitch placement and pattern reading, making it an excellent project for developing technical proficiency.

Upon completion, the shawl should be blocked to achieve the finished measurements and to even out the stitches, which is particularly important given the different gauges between sections. Blocking also helps the cable stitches and yarn over details to fully develop their intended appearance.