Sackett Shawl Wrap Knitting Pattern

Sackett Shawl in Malabrigo Dos Tierras

What is Being Made

The Sackett is a crescent-shaped shawl designed by Caitlin ffrench. This beginner-friendly knit project creates a finished piece measuring 38 inches wide (edge to edge) and 19 inches in length, making it an ideal accessory for layering or draping.

Yarn and Materials

This pattern uses Malabrigo Dos Tierras, a yarn blend combining merino wool and baby alpaca. The project requires a total of 4 hanks in three colorways: 2 hanks each of #052 Paris Night (A) and #009 Polar Morn (B), plus 1 hank of #416 Indiecita (C). Each hank weighs 3½ ounces (100 grams) and contains approximately 210 yards (193 meters) of yardage.

Needles and Notions

The Sackett shawl is worked on a size 7 (4.5mm) circular needle measuring 32 inches (80 centimeters) long, or whatever size is needed to obtain proper gauge. Additional notions include stitch markers and a cable needle for pattern work.

Gauge and Blocking

The pattern specifies a gauge of 18 stitches and 27 rows over 4 inches (10 centimeters) in stockinette stitch using size 7 needles after blocking. Achieving proper gauge is essential for obtaining the correct finished measurements.

Knitting Techniques and Stitches

The Sackett employs several intermediate knitting techniques despite its beginner classification:

• Short rows with wrap and turn (w&t): This technique shapes the crescent form by working partial rows rather than complete rows across all stitches. The wrap and turn method involves slipping a stitch purlwise, moving the yarn to the opposite side of the work, and returning the stitch to the left-hand needle before turning the work.
• Yarn overs (yo): These create decorative openings and lace elements throughout the pattern, adding visual interest to the shawl's structure.
• Knit two together (k2tog): This right-leaning decrease appears frequently in both the main body and the lace edging pattern.
• Stockinette stitch: The primary stitch used for the shawl body, created by alternating knit rows on the right side with purl rows on the wrong side.
• Lace edging pattern: The shawl features a perpendicular lace edging that is worked separately and then joined to the main shawl body. This edging is worked by joining the final edging stitch together with the next shawl stitch at the end of each right-side row. The lace edging pattern repeats over 10 rows and can be followed either from written instructions or a chart.

Pattern Structure

The Sackett shawl is constructed in two main sections. The primary body is shaped using short-row techniques to create the distinctive crescent silhouette. Once the main shawl body is complete, a lace edging is worked perpendicular to the final row of the shawl. This edging is progressively joined to the shawl edge, with one stitch bound off at the end of each right-side row until only one shawl stitch remains, at which point both the edging stitches and final shawl stitch are bound off together.

Skill Level and Suitability

Designated as a beginner-level project, the Sackett shawl introduces knitters to short-row shaping and lace techniques in an accessible way. The pattern provides both written instructions and charted guidance for the lace edging, allowing knitters to choose their preferred method of following the pattern.