Universal Yarn Elizabeth Crescent Wrap Knitting Pattern

Universal Yarn Elizabeth Crescent Shawl

What is Being Made

The Elizabeth Crescent is a striking crescent-shaped shawl designed by Tori Gurbisz. This accessory features a finished depth of 21 inches and an impressive wingspan of 69 inches, making it a substantial wrap suitable for layering or wearing as a statement piece. The shawl is worked in one piece from the top down, creating a seamless construction that flows elegantly from shoulder to hem.

Techniques Used

This knitting project employs lace knitting techniques combined with flat construction, meaning the piece is worked back and forth on circular needles rather than in the round. The shawl features a structured approach with multiple pattern sections that build upon each other as you progress downward. The design incorporates increases and decreases strategically placed to shape the crescent form. Stitch markers are essential for tracking pattern repeats and maintaining proper shaping throughout the project.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The Elizabeth Crescent utilizes several key knitting stitches and techniques:

• Stockinette Stitch (St st) – The primary fabric base, worked in flat rows
• Garter Stitch – Used for edge stitches and ridge sections, creating textured borders
• Yarn Overs (yo) – Essential lace elements that create decorative holes and contribute to the shawl's openwork design
• Knit Front and Back (kfb) – An increase method that adds stitches while maintaining fabric integrity
• Make One (m1) – Another increase technique used for shaping
• Knit Two Together (k2tog) – A right-leaning decrease
• Slip, Slip, Knit (ssk) – A left-leaning decrease that balances the k2tog decreases
• Slip Stitch (sl) – Used to pass stitches and markers without working them

The pattern features named sections including a Starting Tab, CC Ridge One, Chevron One, and CC Ridge Two, each with distinct stitch patterns that are charted. The charts provided do not include the 4 garter edge stitches, which frame the main pattern work.

Materials and Tools

The Elizabeth Crescent is designed to be knit with Universal Yarn Classic Shades Frenzy, a blend of 70% acrylic and 30% wool. This fiber content provides durability and warmth while maintaining excellent stitch definition for lace work. The pattern calls for two skeins of color 906 Shake It Up as the main color and one skein of color 910 Thrill Ride as the contrasting color. Each skein contains 100 grams and yields 158 yards of yarn.

Needles required include a US Size 11 (8 mm) circular needle measuring 32 inches in length, or the size needed to obtain proper gauge. Additional notions include stitch markers for tracking pattern sections and a tapestry needle for weaving in ends upon completion.

Gauge and Sizing

The pattern specifies a gauge of 11 stitches by 14 rows equals 4 inches in stockinette stitch. Checking gauge before beginning is emphasized as essential for achieving the correct finished measurements. The shawl is designed in one size, with the top-down construction allowing for some customization through yarn quantity adjustments if desired.