It took me a long time to attempt knitting my first shawl. I was nervous about shaping such a large piece of work and then having wasted a huge amount of time and yarn if it didn’t work out. Also, Many of the patterns that I found required complicated increases and stitch patterns. My favourite type of knitting is the kind where I don’t have to concentrate very hard, so I wasn’t really keen to try those out. In the end, I came up with my own design for a simple beginner shawl knitting pattern that is worked entirely in garter stitch.
Knit with large needles and chunky weight yarn, this shawl works up super quick. The design is incredibly uncomplicated too, which makes it beginner friendly. Simply repeat the same two rows over and over and watch your shawl grow!
I have written out and posted the free pattern for this cozy knit shawl below on this page.
You may also purchase the ad-free instant download PDF file for easy printing and reading. Purchasing the PDF file helps to support this website and therefore allows me to continue to share my patterns and inspiration with you.
Should you have any issues with the download, please email: info@leeleeknits.com for assistance.
You can Purchase the PDF file (which will be emailed to you automatically after purchase) for $5 USD through Ravelry or by clicking the button below.
Please note that some of the links on this page are affiliate links and I will earn a commission if you purchase through these links. I use all of the products listed on this page and recommend them because they are companies that I have found helpful and trustworthy. Please let me know if you have any questions about anything I have recommended!
Materials:
- Paintbox Yarns Simply Chunky 100% Acrylic Yarn
- 4 Skeins Vanilla Cream (Colour A).
- 2 Skeins Pure Black Colour B).
- Size 13 (9 mm) 32” or longer circular knitting needles.
- Two Stitch Markers.
- Scissors.
- Yarn needle to weave in ends.
Size:
81“ wide (side to side) X 23“ long (top to bottom).
Gauge:
15 stitches, 18 rows = 4 inches in garter stitch.
Abbreviations:
K: Knit.
P: Purl.
KFB: Knit in the front and back of the stitch (increase).
PM: Place stitch marker.
Notes:
This shawl is worked entirely in garter stitch from the top down with a centre spine of 15 stitches. The increases are made so that the width will grow outward as two triangles along both sides of the centre spine.
Pattern:
Cast on 25 stitches with Colour A (long tail cast on).
Row 1: K2, KFB, K1, KFB, PM, K15, PM, KFB, K1, KFB, K2 (you will have increased by 4 stitches – see below picture for what your work should look like).
Row 2: Knit all stitches.
Row 3: K2, KFB, Knit to last stitch before first marker, KFB, K15, KFB, Knit to last 3 stitches, KFB, K2 (see image below for where KFB increases are made).
Row 4: Knit all stitches.
Repeat rows 3 and 4 switching colours according to Colour Scheme below.
Once all rows have been knit, cast off and weave in all loose ends.
Color Scheme:
24 Rows Colour A
16 Rows Colour B
34 Rows Colour A
16 Rows Colour B
24 Rows Colour A
I hope you enjoyed this free pattern and I am so grateful for your support! Don’t forget that you can purchase the ad-free PDF file. Purchasing the PDF file helps support this website and allows me to continue to share my patterns and inspiration with you guys!
Should you have any issues with the download, please email: info@leeleeknits.com for assistance.
The PDF file (which will be emailed to you automatically) can be purchased for $5 USD through Ravelry, or by clicking the button below.
I want to knit so bad but I don’t get the hang of it
I know you’ll be able to do it! Have you watched any YouTube “how to knit” videos? If not, give them a try. They can be very useful. Is there a yarn shop near you? If so, go in, buy some yarn, and ask for help. Or sign up for a “How to Knit” class. If you live anywhere near me–far northern Florida, US–I’d be glad to teach you.
I love this pattern and will use it many times in the future. I added a row of single crochet all around it in the second color as well as a tassel on both corners. I can’t wait to start another one. I might use some other knitted patterns, but this will be base pattern. Thank you so much as I have been making shawls, but they weren’t quite what I had envisioned.
I want to knit this pattern, however that kfb has me stumped.😣😣😣😣can you do a yarn over instead of maybe that will add too many stitches?? What can I do instead of kfb??? Thanks☺☺☺☺☺
Hi Belinda, KFB is an increase stitch, so you could use another increase that you prefer. If you use a yarn over, there will be a small hole, but that may look nice as a decorative accent. I say try it out and see how it looks.
Is it always a knit 15 between the markers?
Yes 🙂
Yes Ma’am it is. Every time.
This pattern is very, very easy! And it’s beautiful too! Thank you for making it so simple!
That is so beautiful and looks easy too! I’m going to try it. I’m thinking it might look nice in one of the Caron Chunky Cakes colorways.
I wanna try this pattern , but not familiar with the KEN stitch. Need to work on this. Otherwise it’s a very simple pattern
Hi Belinda, KFB, means to knit into the front and the back of the stitch. There are a lot of great videos demonstrating this stitch if you do a quick search of KFB stitch knitting.
That should be kfb stitch not ken sorry😯😯😯😯😯😯
I like the shawl and think it’ll be nice using only one color or a varigated yarn.
Do you have a suggestion of a different yarn to use?
Thanks,
Suze
Hi Suze, a good substitution would be Knit Picks Brava Bulky. Both of these yarns would be considered more of a heavy aran weight than a true bulky/chunky weight yarn.