Ria Salado Circular Shawl Wrap Knitting Pattern

Ria Salado Circular Shawl in Juniper Moon Zooey Aran

What is Being Made

The Ria Salado is a circular shawl designed by Tabetha Hedrick, crafted using the Juniper Moon Farm Zooey Aran yarn. This garment is worked in the round from the center outward, creating a large, wearable wrap. The finished shawl measures 50 inches (127 cm) in diameter with a circumference of 157 inches (399 cm), making it a substantial accessory suitable for layering and warmth.

Techniques Used

This circular shawl employs several key knitting techniques to achieve its structure and aesthetic. The pattern is worked in the round from the center out, beginning with a small cast-on that progressively increases in stitch count. Knitters transition from double-pointed needles to circular needles as the diameter expands, a common approach for managing growing stitch counts in circular projects. The design incorporates yarn overs for lace increases strategically placed to create shaping and decorative elements. Stitch markers are essential throughout, positioned between double yarn overs on increase rounds to prevent errors and maintain pattern accuracy. The shawl features alternating rounds of knit and purl work, with specific decrease sequences that create textural variation.

Stitches Used

• Stockinette stitch — the primary stitch pattern, worked in rounds (knit every round)
• Yarn overs (yo) — used for both lace increases and decorative openwork
• Knit 2 together (k2tog) — a right-leaning decrease worked with yarn overs to create lace patterning
• Purl 2 together (p2tog) — a left-leaning decrease that alternates with yarn overs on specific rounds

The stitch pattern repeats across Rounds 3 through 6, with increases occurring every other round to maintain the circular shawl's expansion. The combination of yarn overs and decreases creates a subtle lace texture while the stockinette base provides structure.

Materials

The Ria Salado requires 5 skeins of Juniper Moon Farm Zooey Aran in the color #1007 Sun Dance, with each skein weighing 100 grams. Zooey Aran is a worsted-weight yarn suitable for the gauge requirements of this pattern. Needles required include US 7 (4.5 mm) circular needles measuring 32 inches (80 cm) for the majority of the project, along with a US 7 (4.5 mm) set of 4 double-pointed needles for the initial center rounds. Additional notions include a tapestry needle for weaving in ends and a cable needle for any cable techniques, though the primary pattern focuses on lace and stockinette construction. The recommended gauge is 20 stitches and 25 rounds over 4 inches (10 cm) in stockinette stitch, making gauge checking essential before beginning.

Finishing

After completing all pattern rounds, the shawl is bound off very loosely knitwise to maintain elasticity at the edge. Ends are woven in using the tapestry needle, and the finished piece is blocked to measurements to achieve the specified 50-inch diameter and proper drape.