Rowan EC Shawl Wrap Knitting Pattern

Rowan EC3 Shawl by Georgia Farrell

What is Being Made

The Rowan EC3 Shawl is a triangular wrap designed as an intermediate-level knitting project. The completed shawl measures approximately 150 cm (59 inches) wide across its longest edge and 92 cm (36¼ inches) deep, making it a generous accessory suitable for layering or draping. This pattern is available in both a single-color version and a three-color version, offering flexibility for different yarn preferences and aesthetic choices.

Knitting Techniques and Stitches

The EC3 Shawl employs several fundamental knitting techniques appropriate for intermediate crafters. The primary construction method uses increases worked throughout the piece to create the triangular shawl shape. Two specialized increase techniques are featured:

• M1R (Make 1 Right) – an increase created by inserting the left needle point from back to front under the strand of yarn lying between needles, then knitting into the front of this loop
• M1Rp (Make 1 Right Purl) – the purl equivalent, where the left needle is inserted under the strand between needles and a purl stitch is worked into the front of the loop

The stitch pattern combines knit and purl stitches in a structured arrangement. Rows alternate between knit and purl sections, creating textural interest through the interplay of stockinette and reverse stockinette stitch areas. The pattern uses abbreviations K (knit) and P (purl) throughout the row-by-row instructions, with increases strategically placed to control the shawl's expansion and final dimensions.

Yarn and Materials

The pattern calls for Rowan Alpaca Soft DK yarn, a double-knitting weight suitable for creating fabric with good drape and softness. For the one-color version, knitters require 6 x 50-gram balls, with the photographed example worked in the colorway Rainy Day 210. The three-color version uses a more complex yardage distribution: 2 x 50-gram balls each of Baby Blue 224 (Color A) and Autumn Gold 220 (Color B), plus 4 x 50-gram balls of Blossom 223 (Color C). This color combination allows for subtle striping or color blocking effects within the shawl structure.

Needles and Tension

The EC3 Shawl is worked on 4mm (US size 6) needles, a single pair required for the entire project. Achieving proper tension is essential for the finished dimensions: the pattern specifies 21 stitches and 32 rows to 10 centimeters measured over the stitch pattern using 4mm needles. Maintaining this tension ensures the shawl reaches its intended width and depth, allowing the triangular shape to develop as designed.

Pattern Structure

The pattern is presented as detailed row-by-row instructions, beginning with a small cast-on of 5 stitches and progressing through numbered rows with specific stitch counts noted at the end of each row. This methodical approach helps knitters track their progress and verify stitch counts as the shawl expands. The three-color version begins with casting on using yarn A on 4mm needles, indicating that color changes are introduced at specific points in the construction.