Valley Yarns Morning Bells Shawl Knitting Pattern

Valley Yarns Morning Bells Shawl

What is Being Made

The Morning Bells Shawl is a crescent-shaped wrap designed by Ping Wood that measures 10" x 78" when blocked. This intermediate-level knitting project creates a luxurious, wearable shawl featuring three distinct structural sections that work together to produce an elegant finished piece. The shawl is named for its bell-shaped ruffles that echo the appearance of a garland of bellflowers or foxglove blooms, making it both a functional accessory and a decorative statement piece.

Construction and Techniques

The Morning Bells Shawl is worked seamlessly in a top-down approach on a flat surface, meaning you begin at the top and increase outward as you progress downward through the pattern. This construction method allows for easy customization of the final size and ensures a cohesive, unified design without seaming.

The shawl is divided into three distinct sections, each employing different stitch patterns and techniques:

• Crescent-Shaped Garter Stitch Section: The foundation of the shawl begins with a cast-on of 144 stitches worked in garter stitch (knit every row). This opening section features strategic yarn overs and increases that shape the crescent form. A specialized technique is employed where yarn overs are made and then intentionally dropped on the following row—this reduces puckering and ensures smooth, professional-looking edges that block beautifully.
• Raised Rib Section: Following the garter stitch base, the pattern transitions into a raised rib design worked over approximately 3 inches. This section combines knit and purl stitches in a structured pattern, with slip stitches creating visual texture and definition. Make-one increases are strategically placed to add stitch count while maintaining the rib pattern's integrity.
• Bell-Shaped Ruffles: The final section features billowy, bell-shaped ruffles that cap the shawl. These ruffles are created through additional increases and purl stitches that create the characteristic gathered, voluminous appearance reminiscent of delicate flower blooms.

Stitches and Abbreviations Used

The Morning Bells Shawl employs a variety of fundamental and intermediate knitting stitches:

• Knit (k): The basic knit stitch forms the foundation of the garter stitch sections
• Purl (p): Used in the rib sections to create texture and visual interest
• Yarn Over (yo): Creates decorative holes and increases stitch count simultaneously
• Knit Two Together (k2tog): A right-leaning decrease used for shaping
• Make One (m1): An invisible increase created by knitting into the back of the strand running between stitches
• Make One Purl (m1p): The purl equivalent of make one, used in rib sections
• Slip Stitch Wyif (sl1 wyif): Slipping a stitch with yarn in front creates a neat, finished appearance in the rib pattern
• Purl Two Together (p2tog): A decrease worked in purl
• Purl One Through Back Loop (p1tbl): A twisted purl stitch for refined finishing

Materials and Gauge

The Morning Bells Shawl is worked using Valley Yarns Deerfield yarn, a luxurious blend of 80% baby alpaca and 20% silk. This fiber combination provides exceptional softness, warmth, and beautiful drape—qualities essential for a shawl intended to stave off a chill while maintaining an elegant appearance. The project requires 6 skeins of Deerfield, with each skein containing 50 grams and 109 yards of yarn, providing ample yardage for the full 10" x 78" finished dimensions.

The pattern is worked on US size 6 (4.00mm) circular needles measuring 40 inches in length, or the size needed to achieve proper gauge. The gauge for this project is 5 stitches and 1 inch in garter stitch, and 6.25 stitches and 1 inch in the rib pattern. Achieving correct gauge is essential for obtaining the intended finished measurements and ensuring the shawl drapes properly when worn.

The downloadable PDF format allows crafters to access the complete pattern digitally, making it convenient for reference during knitting sessions.