Sesia Hillman Shawl Wrap Knitting Pattern

Sesia Hillman Shawl

What Is Being Made

The Hillman Shawl is a seamless, rectangular wrap designed by Lidia Karabinech. This easy-level knitting project produces a finished shawl measuring 17 inches wide by 80 inches long, making it an elegant accessory suitable for layering or draping. The shawl is worked flat on straight needles from a single cast-on edge to the finished bind-off, requiring no seaming or assembly.

Techniques Used

This pattern employs several key knitting techniques to create visual interest and texture. The shawl is constructed using seamless, flat knitting, meaning all rows are worked back and forth on straight needles without joining in the round. The design features a striped color pattern that repeats throughout the piece, alternating between different yarn colors to create distinct horizontal bands. The combination of textured and smooth stitches adds dimensional appeal to the finished accessory.

Stitches Used

Two primary stitches form the foundation of the Hillman Shawl pattern:

• Reverse Stockinette Stitch (Rev St st): Created by purling on the right side and knitting on the wrong side, this stitch produces a smooth, subtle texture that contrasts with the more dimensional stitch sections.
• Trinity Stitch: This textured stitch pattern works over a multiple of 4 stitches plus 2. Trinity Stitch is created through a combination of increases and decreases: working (knit 1, purl 1, knit 1) into a single stitch, then purling 3 stitches together. The stitch creates a bumpy, three-dimensional fabric with excellent drape. The pattern requires careful attention to stitch placement, as decreases on one row align with increases on subsequent rows to maintain stitch count.

Materials and Specifications

The Hillman Shawl is designed to be knitted with Sesia Bluebell yarn, a luxurious blend of 42% kid mohair, 40% polyester, and 18% silk. This fiber composition creates a soft, lightweight fabric with excellent drape and subtle sheen. The yarn is worked at a gauge of 19 stitches and 24 rows per 4 inches in Reverse Stockinette Stitch when blocked.

The pattern calls for US 7 (4.5 mm) needles or the size needed to obtain proper gauge. A yarn needle is required for weaving in ends after completion. The total yardage needed is 7 balls of Sesia Bluebell yarn distributed across three colors: 2 balls in color #8067 onyx (A), 2 balls in color #8463 silver (B), and 3 balls in color #1355 champagne (C). Each ball contains 0.88 ounces (25 grams) and provides 136 yards (125 meters) of yarn.

Pattern Construction

The Hillman Shawl begins with casting on 82 stitches and working 8 complete repeats of a 48-row Stripe Pattern. The Stripe Pattern systematically alternates between Trinity Stitch and Reverse Stockinette Stitch sections in varying lengths, using the three coordinating yarn colors to create visual rhythm. After completing the pattern repeats, the shawl is finished with a purl row and then all stitches are bound off purlwise. Final finishing includes weaving in yarn ends and blocking the piece to the specified measurements to achieve the intended drape and dimensions.