Ras Al Hanout Shawl Wrap Knitting Pattern

Ras Al Hanout Shawl in Juniper Moon Farm Áine

What is Being Made

The Ras Al Hanout Shawl is a 2-color, bottom-up triangle shawl inspired by Moroccan flavor and design. This downloadable knitting pattern creates a finished shawl with a wingspan of 67½ inches (171.5 cm) and a spine measurement of 20 inches (50.75 cm). The shawl is finished with three decorative tassels, adding a distinctive textural element to the completed piece.

Techniques Used

This intermediate-level knitting project employs several key techniques to achieve its distinctive appearance. The shawl uses a bottom-up construction method, meaning knitters begin at the base and work toward the top point. The design alternates between two primary stitch patterns to create visual and textural interest. Increases at the beginning and end of each row create the triangular shawl shape. Knitters will also practice tassel construction, wrapping yarn around a form and securing it with tied threads before attaching to the finished piece.

Stitches Used

The Ras Al Hanout Shawl incorporates the following stitches:

• Garter Stitch — worked flat by knitting all stitches on every row, creating a textured, reversible fabric that forms the main body sections in the main color
• Mesh Lace — an openwork pattern worked over an even number of stitches using yarn overs and knit-two-togethers to create decorative holes, alternating with purl rows on the wrong side
• Knit Front and Back (kfb) — an increase stitch that creates one new stitch from a single stitch, used at the edges to shape the triangle
• Yarn Over (yo) — creates the openwork characteristic of the mesh lace sections
• Knit Two Together (k2tog) — a decrease stitch essential to the mesh lace pattern

Materials

This pattern is designed to be knitted in Juniper Moon Farm Áine, a delectable silk yarn. Knitters will need 1 x 50g skein in color 07 Coral Salmon for the main color and 1 x 50g skein in color 09 Ocean Ruby for the contrast color. The project requires size US 1½ (2.5mm) circular needles measuring 40 inches (100 cm) long, or the size needed to achieve the specified gauge. A tapestry needle is also required for finishing and attaching the tassels.

Gauge and Construction Details

The pattern specifies a gauge of 24 stitches by 48 rows equals 4 inches (10 cm) in Garter stitch. Achieving this gauge is essential for the finished measurements to be accurate. The construction method alternates between 20 rows of Garter stitch in the main color and 10 rows of Mesh Lace in the contrast color, with increases worked at the beginning and end of each row throughout to build the triangular shape. The tassel finishing involves wrapping yarn around a 3-inch (7.5 cm) form 20 times, securing with tied threads, and attaching to the completed shawl using a tapestry needle.