Universal Yarn Blue Oak Shawl Wrap Knitting Pattern

Universal Yarn Blue Oak Shawl

What Is Being Made

The Blue Oak Shawl is a two-color triangular wrap designed by Rachel Brockman. This elegant shawl features a finished depth of 20 inches in the center and a wingspan of 56 inches, making it a versatile accessory suitable for layering or wearing as a traditional wrap. The design draws inspiration from oak tree leaves, particularly when properly blocked, creating a sophisticated and nature-inspired aesthetic.

Knitting Techniques

This shawl is constructed using several key knitting techniques that make it an engaging project for intermediate knitters:

• Top-Down Construction: The shawl begins with a garter stitch tab cast-on, worked from the top center point downward, allowing the knitter to try on the piece as it grows
• Seamless Knitting: The entire garment is worked as one continuous piece with no seams to join
• Worked Flat: Despite being a shawl, the piece is knitted flat on circular needles rather than in the round, providing ease of construction
• Lace Edging: A decorative lace border resembling oak leaves adorns the edges, created through strategic yarn overs and decreases
• Slip Stitch Colorwork: The pattern incorporates an easy-to-memorize slip stitch colorwork technique where only one color is used at a time, eliminating the complexity of managing multiple working yarns simultaneously

Stitches Used

The Blue Oak Shawl employs a variety of fundamental and decorative stitches:

• Garter Stitch: Used for the initial tab cast-on and structural sections, providing a stable foundation
• Slip Stitches: The primary colorwork element, creating a dotted pattern that alternates between two colors (Sage and Graphite)
• Yarn Overs (yo): Used extensively in the lace sections to create openwork and decorative holes
• Knit Three Together (k3tog): A right-leaning decrease used in the lace pattern
• Slip, Slip, Knit (sssk): A left-leaning decrease that balances the k3tog decreases for symmetrical lace patterning
• Knit and Purl Stitches: Basic stitches that form the foundation of all sections

Materials and Gauge

The Blue Oak Shawl is designed to be worked in Universal Yarn Bella Cash, a premium blend yarn offering both luxury and practicality. The yarn composition includes 60% fine merino superwash, 30% nylon, and 10% cashmere, providing softness, durability, and easy care. Two colors are required: 116 Sage (Color A) requiring 2 balls and 110 Graphite (Color B) requiring 4 balls. Each ball contains 50 grams and 230 yards of yarn.

The project is worked on US Size 4 (3.5 mm) circular needles measuring 40 inches in length, or a size adjusted to obtain the correct gauge. The pattern gauge is 22 stitches and 30 rows over 4 inches when measured in the Grain pattern stitch. Checking gauge before beginning is essential to ensure the finished shawl meets the specified measurements. Additional notions include stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and a tapestry needle for weaving in ends.

Pattern Characteristics

The shawl features a relaxing knitting experience with straightforward colorwork that does not require simultaneous management of multiple colors. The slip stitch pattern is simple enough to memorize, allowing knitters to work without constantly consulting the pattern instructions. A band of solid color provides visual breaks between the dotted slipped stitches, creating rhythm and interest in the finished piece. The lace edging, which resembles oak tree leaves, becomes particularly striking after blocking, transforming the shawl into a polished, finished accessory. The pattern recommends the suspended bind-off method for the final edge to ensure elasticity and a professional appearance.