Wellingborough Shawl Wrap Knitting Pattern

Wellingborough Shawl in Malabrigo Sock

What is Being Made

The Wellingborough is a triangular shawl designed by Ewelina Murach, featuring an innovative construction method that combines multiple stitch techniques. This downloadable knitting pattern produces a finished shawl measuring 75¼ inches in width and 29¼ inches in depth, making it a substantial wrap suitable for layering or draping.

Construction Method and Techniques

This shawl employs an unusual two-phase construction approach. The design begins with a triangle worked from the bottom up in garter stitch, establishing the foundational shape. Once the initial triangle is complete, stitches are strategically picked up along the two sides of the triangle. The remainder of the shawl is then worked from the top down, with the left and right sides knitted alternately on separate needles. This method allows for creative shaping and the integration of varied stitch patterns throughout the garment.

The pattern requires several foundational knitting skills and techniques:

• Long tail, backward loop, and cable cast-ons
• Picking up stitches along edges
• Yarn overs for lace construction
• Increases including make 1 right-leaning (M1R) and make 1 left-leaning (M1L)
• Knit front and back (kfb) increases
• 5-stitch cluster technique

Stitches Used

The Wellingborough incorporates three primary stitch patterns to create visual interest and texture variation:

• Stockinette stitch – forms the primary fabric base with a smooth, classic appearance
• Garter stitch – creates the initial triangle foundation and provides textural contrast
• Lace stitches – integrated throughout the design using yarn overs and decreases for an open, delicate aesthetic

The gauge for this pattern is 24 stitches and 34 rows over 4 inches in stockinette stitch, which is essential for achieving the correct finished dimensions.

Materials and Tools

This pattern is worked in Malabrigo Sock yarn in colorway #611 Ravelry Red. The project requires 3 skeins of this yarn to complete the shawl. Malabrigo Sock is a fingering-weight yarn ideal for creating delicate, detailed knit structures.

Two US 5 / 3.75mm circular needles measuring 47 inches (120cm) are required for this project, allowing adequate space for the large number of stitches involved in the shawl construction. Additional notions include two removable stitch markers to track pattern repeats and construction phases.

Difficulty Level

This pattern is classified as intermediate difficulty, making it suitable for knitters who have mastered basic techniques and are ready to explore more complex construction methods and stitch combinations. The alternating two-sided construction and integration of multiple stitch patterns require attention to detail and pattern-reading skills.