Trout Lily Shawl Wrap Knitting Pattern

Trout Lily Shawl in Berroco Tuscan Tweed

What Is Being Made

The Trout Lily Shawl is a triangular knit shawl designed by Amy Christoffers. This intermediate-level knitting project creates a finished garment measuring approximately 75 inches across the top edge with a 22-inch depth down the center, making it a generous wrap suitable for layering or draping across the shoulders.

Craft and Technique Overview

This is a knitting project worked in the round using circular needles. The shawl is constructed using a classic top-down triangular shawl method, beginning with a small cast-on and increasing systematically throughout the pattern to achieve its final dimensions. This construction technique allows knitters to try on the shawl as it grows and customize the finished size if desired.

Stitches and Stitch Techniques Used

The Trout Lily Shawl incorporates several fundamental knitting stitches and techniques:

• Knit Front and Back (KF&B): An increase stitch that creates one additional stitch by working into both the front and back loops of a single stitch. This technique is used strategically throughout the pattern to shape the shawl's triangular form.
• Stockinette Stitch (St st): The foundational smooth stitch created by alternating knit and purl rows, used as a reference gauge measurement.
• Yarn Over (yo): A decorative increase that creates intentional holes or eyelets in the fabric, contributing to the shawl's lacy aesthetic and visual interest.
• Slip, Slip, Knit (SSK): A left-leaning decrease stitch that pairs with yarn overs to create balanced lace patterns throughout the design.
• Knit Two Together (k2tog): A right-leaning decrease stitch used in combination with yarn overs for the lace motifs.
• Purl Stitch: Used to create textural contrast and define pattern sections within the shawl.

Materials and Tools

The Trout Lily Shawl is designed to be worked in Berroco Tuscan Tweed, a yarn from Berroco, Inc. The project requires 5 balls of this yarn in the colorway #9010 Sweet Briar, with each ball weighing 50 grams. A 29-inch circular knitting needle in size 7 (4.50 mm) is required, or the appropriate size needed to achieve the specified gauge. A tapestry needle is also necessary for finishing and weaving in ends.

Gauge and Sizing

Achieving proper gauge is critical to the success of this project. The pattern specifies 18 stitches and 26 rows equal 4 inches in Stockinette Stitch, and 16 stitches and 26 rows equal 4 inches in Pattern Stitch. Knitters are strongly advised to knit a gauge swatch before beginning the shawl to ensure accurate finished dimensions and proper yarn yardage usage.

Difficulty Level

This shawl is rated as an intermediate skill level project. While the individual stitches are fundamental, the combination of lace techniques, consistent increases, and pattern repetition requires solid knitting experience and attention to detail. Knitters should be comfortable reading stitch abbreviations, maintaining consistent tension, and recognizing pattern repeats.