Yew Shawl Wrap Knitting Pattern

Yew Shawl in Berroco Tuscan Tweed

What Is Being Made

The Yew Shawl is an intermediate-level knitted wrap designed by Amy Christoffers. This elegant shawl measures approximately 22 inches wide by 64 inches long (excluding fringe), making it a versatile accessory suitable for layering or draping. The finished piece features decorative fringe along both the cast-on and bound-off edges, adding texture and movement to the completed garment.

Techniques Used

This shawl employs charted pattern knitting as its primary construction method, requiring knitters to follow a detailed stitch chart throughout the project. The pattern incorporates both knit and purl stitches worked in the round using a circular needle, though the shawl is not joined and is worked flat. Finishing techniques include creating and attaching fringe using a crochet hook, which adds a decorative edge treatment to the shawl. Blocking is recommended after completion to even out the finished dimensions and enhance the drape of the fabric.

Stitches Used

• Knit and Purl: The foundational stitches that create the textured pattern when worked in combination across right-side and wrong-side rows
• Yarn Over (YO): Creates decorative eyelet holes and increases within the charted pattern
• Knit Two Together (K2tog): A right-leaning decrease used to shape the shawl and balance yarn overs
• Slip, Slip, Knit (SSK): A left-leaning decrease that provides shaping and pattern definition
• Slip Stitch Wyib (Slip Stitch With Yarn In Back): Used for edge stitches and pattern texture

Materials

This project requires 9 balls of Berroco Tuscan Tweed yarn in colorway #9031 Oak, with each ball weighing 50 grams. A 24-inch circular knitting needle in size 7 (4.50 mm) is used for the main knitting, and a size 4.50 mm (G) crochet hook is needed for attaching the fringe. The recommended gauge is 20 stitches and 28 rows over 4 inches in the charted pattern, and checking gauge before beginning is strongly advised to ensure proper finished dimensions.

Pattern Structure

The shawl begins with casting on 108 stitches and working even rows following the provided chart, starting with a wrong-side row. Knitters continue working the charted pattern until the piece reaches approximately 64 inches in length, ending with a right-side row before binding off on the wrong side in pattern. This structured approach ensures consistent stitch definition and proper shaping throughout the garment.

Finishing Details

The fringe finishing adds both visual interest and movement to the completed shawl. Three 10-inch strands of yarn are bundled together, folded in half, and attached using the crochet hook every 3 stitches along both the cast-on and bound-off edges. This fringe treatment is applied to the entire perimeter of these edges, creating a cohesive and polished finish. After fringe attachment, the shawl may be blocked as desired to enhance its appearance and drape.