Next, we’ll look at symmetrical triangles, like Dani Berg’s Pierpoint Shawl. You’ll be amazed at how many ways there are to create this simple shape! You can easily work from the top down, bottom up, or end to end . The Pierpoint shawl is worked from the top center out, with that beautiful mitre in the middle.

circles

Circular and semicircular shawls have a magical touch. Like Carol Feller’s Orangery Shawl, these projects tend to have a traditional look. Whether crocheted with lacy patterns resembling cobwebs, or knitted in humble and cozy garter stitch, these shawls are typically knit from the center out, shaped based on pi (p). We demystify the math to create circle-based shawls. ?

Beyond the basic shapes of shawls

Scalene and obtuse triangles

Asymmetrical triangle shawls, like Juliette Bezold’s Capital Shawl, have been very popular in recent years. These are great ways to display beautiful, variegated yarn; since the length of the rows is always changing, the color is unlikely to match.

You can work this shape from the wide end to the tip, or from the tip to the wide end. It can be shaped on only one edge, or on both.  We’ll be looking at both the shape and some fun variations.

half moons

The last shape we will examine is the crescent. These shawls tend to be easy to wear, gracefully hugging the shoulders.  Crescents ranging from long, narrow, curved slivers to almost semi-circles, line Irina Anikeeva’s Shoreline shawl. They can be worked from the bottom up, from the top down, or from side to side. Short rows are often used to create the characteristic curve.

Whether you call them shawls, stoles, scarves, or wraps, we can all agree that creating a beautiful piece of fabric to wrap around our necks and shoulders is one of the reasons we knit.