Valley Yarns Damson Shawl Knitting Pattern

Valley Yarns Damson Shawl

What is Being Made

The Damson Shawl is an intermediate-level knitted shawl designed by Kirsten Hipsky. This accessory measures approximately 18 inches wide and 50 inches long when finished, making it a versatile wrap suitable for layering or draping. The shawl features a distinctive winged structure with uneven stripes created through strategic color changes throughout the knitting process.

Techniques Used

This shawl is worked flat on straight needles from a small cast-on that expands through strategic increases. The primary construction technique involves yarn over increases placed at regular intervals to create the characteristic winged shape. The pattern incorporates two-color striping, which requires careful strand management to maintain clean edges. When transitioning between colors, the unused yarn strand is carried loosely up the side of the shawl, and after the second of four rows in the initial color, wrapping one color around the idle strand of the other color helps prevent edge distortion. The shawl concludes with a lace bind-off row featuring yarn overs paired with knit-two-together decreases, creating an elegant finished edge.

Stitches Used

• Knit (k): The foundational stitch used throughout the shawl
• Purl (p): Used on wrong-side rows to create stockinette stitch texture
• Yarn over (yo): Creates the increase stitches that shape the shawl's expansion and form decorative lace elements
• Knit two together (k2tog): Used in the final bind-off row to pair with yarn overs for a lace edge
• Slip marker (SM): Helps track the placement of increases at designated points

Materials

The Damson Shawl is constructed using Valley Yarns Charlemont, a luxury blend yarn composed of 60% Fine Superwash Merino, 20% Mulberry Silk, and 20% Polyamide. Two skeins are required: one skein in Indian Turquoise (Color A) and one skein in Mulberry (Color B). Each skein provides 100 grams and 439 yards of yardage. The pattern calls for US size 6 (4.0mm) needles or the size necessary to achieve the specified gauge of approximately 5 stitches per 1 inch in stockinette stitch. Additionally, 6 stitch markers are required as notions to track the shawl's winged structure during knitting.

Pattern Structure

The shawl begins with casting on 11 stitches and knitting 4 foundation rows. The pattern then establishes a 6-row repeat that creates the signature winged shape through strategic yarn over placements. Rows 5 through 10 form the main pattern repeat, which is worked repeatedly until Color A yarn is depleted. The knitter then continues working entirely in Color B until the shawl reaches the desired depth or until approximately 20 yards of yarn remain. The shawl is finished with a decorative lace bind-off row followed by 3 additional knit rows before binding off loosely. After completion, loose ends are sewn in and the shawl is blocked flat to shape.