Rowan Cringle Shawl Wrap Knitting Pattern

Rowan Cringle Shawl by Martin Storey

What is Being Made

The Rowan Cringle Shawl is a large triangular wrap designed as an intermediate-level knitting project. The completed shawl measures 111 cm (43¾ inches) wide at the cast-off edge and 189.5 cm (74½ inches) long, making it a generous accessory suitable for layering and warmth.

Knitting Techniques Used

This shawl employs several fundamental and intermediate knitting techniques to create its structure and visual interest:

• Garter Stitch (G st): The primary fabric construction throughout the shawl, created by knitting every row to produce horizontal ridges
• Slip Stitch Edgings: The last 2 stitches of every row are slipped purlwise with yarn held at the front of the work, creating neat selvage edges
• Yarn Stranding: Multiple yarn colors are carried loosely up the side of the work when not in use, allowing for efficient color changes within the stripe sequence
• Increases: Strategic increases worked throughout the pattern (using "inc in next st") create the triangular shaping that expands the shawl from a small cast-on to its final width
• Color Work: A repeating stripe sequence in four coordinating yarn colors creates visual depth and pattern without the complexity of colorwork techniques like intarsia or Fair Isle

Stitches and Pattern Elements

The Cringle Shawl uses a straightforward stitch repertoire focused on garter stitch construction:

• Knit (K): The primary stitch used throughout
• Purl Slip Stitches (slip purlwise): Used for edge definition and selvage finishing
• Increases (inc in next st): Worked at strategic intervals to shape the triangular form, with increases positioned on alternating right-side and wrong-side rows

The pattern is worked in a repeating 6-row sequence that combines the stripe color changes with the increase placement, creating a rhythmic pattern that repeats 117 times throughout the shawl's construction.

Stripe Sequence and Colorway Options

The shawl features a sophisticated 144-row stripe sequence that repeats throughout the project. The primary colorway uses Rowan Moordale yarn in four colors:

• Yarn A (Feather 001): Worked over rows 1-2 and rows 49-50 in each sequence repeat
• Yarn B (Thai 005): Worked over rows 3-4
• Yarn C (Turmeric 003): Worked over rows 51-52
• Yarn D (Bronzed 006): Worked over rows 99-100

An alternative colorway is provided using the same yarn base with different color options: French Navy 016, Pillar Box 020, and Pea 021. The stripe pattern creates a balanced, multi-colored aesthetic while maintaining the simplicity of garter stitch construction.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The Rowan Cringle Shawl is worked in Rowan Moordale yarn, a premium wool blend. The yarn requirements are:

• Yarn A (Feather 001): 4 x 100gm balls
• Yarn B (Thai 005): 1 x 100gm ball
• Yarn C (Turmeric 003): 2 x 100gm balls
• Yarn D (Bronzed 006): 2 x 100gm balls

Needles: One pair of 4mm (US 6) needles are required for the project. The pattern specifies a tension of 22 stitches and 38 rows to 10 cm measured over garter stitch using 4mm needles, which is essential for achieving the correct finished dimensions.

Construction Overview

The shawl is constructed from a small cast-on of 5 stitches, with increases worked systematically throughout to expand the piece to 244 stitches by the cast-off edge. The combination of garter stitch,