Grain Ears Shawl

An airy top-down triangular shawl featuring a repeating "grain ears" textured lace motif set against garter edges. Worked flat with increases on right-side rows only, this pattern grows quickly and blocks into a soft lacy crescent. Sized to be a versatile one-size shawl; written for fingering/sport weight yarn. Suitable for adventurous beginners who are comfortable with yarnovers and simple decreases.

Finished measurements

• Wingspan: approximately 58 inches (147 cm)
• Depth at center back: approximately 20 inches (51 cm)

Yarn

• Fingering weight yarn: 400–600 yards (366–549 m) depending on desired size and blocking. Typical sample uses 450 yards (412 m).
• Yarn ball reference: 100 g / 3.5 oz = ~400 yards / 366 m (adjust quantity if your yarn yardage per ball differs)

Needles

• Circular needles, 32–40 inch (80–100 cm) cable recommended to accommodate many stitches as shawl grows.
• Main needle: US 6 / UK 8 / 4.0 mm
• Optional for more open drape: US 8 / UK 6 / 5.0 mm
• Use whichever size gives the correct gauge; a larger needle will make a looser, more open fabric.

Gauge

• 10 stitches and 20 rows = 2 inches (5 cm) in garter stitch when measured across both RS and WS, after blocking. Exact gauge is not critical for shawl but stitch definition of the grain ears motif benefits from correct tension.

Notions

• Stitch markers (1 marker to mark center optional)
• Tapestry needle for weaving in ends
• Blocking wires and pins

Abbreviations (US)

• k knit
• p purl
• yo yarn over
• k2tog knit two together (right-leaning decrease)
• ssk slip, slip, knit (left-leaning decrease)
• M1L make one left (lift bar from between stitches and knit through back loop)
• M1R make one right (lift bar from between stitches and knit through front loop)
• RS right side, WS wrong side
• st(s) stitch(es)

Special notes

This shawl uses a garter-edge method: the first and last 3 stitches of every row are worked in garter stitch (knit every row) to create a stable border. Increases are worked on RS rows only, using M1L after the left garter edge and M1R before the right garter edge. The central body contains repeats of the Grain Ears motif which are worked on RS rows; WS rows are knit across the non-garter center so the fabric remains garter between lace rows.

Grain Ears motif (chartless written)

The Grain Ears motif is an 8-row, 8-stitch vertical repeat that creates small paired ear shapes of eyelets and textured decreases. The motif is worked across the body between the garter edges. With the increases at the edges the motif will be set between the garter borders and can be repeated an integer number of times as the shawl grows.

Grain Ears stitch pattern (work on RS rows; WS rows: knit all stitches)
Pattern repeat: 8 stitches horizontally, 8 rows vertically
Row 1 (RS): *k1, ssk, k1, yo, k1, k2tog, k1, repeat from * across body
Row 2 (WS): knit across
Row 3 (RS): *k across pattern: k1, k1, k1, yo, k1, k1, k1; but treat the decrease/eyes from Row1 carried over (i.e., knit as they appear) repeat
Row 4 (WS): knit
Row 5 (RS): *k1, ssk, k1, yo, k1, k2tog, k1, repeat* (same as Row1)
Row 6 (WS): knit
Row 7 (RS): knit
Row 8 (WS): knit
Note: On rows where an explicit instruction is not given (e.g., Row3 and Row7) simply knit the stitches as they appear. The key shaping and eyelets occur on Rows 1 and 5; the intervening rows pack the texture into the 'ears'.

Pattern notes on repeats and placement

The body between the garter edges will consist of a multiple of 8 stitches to accommodate full Grain Ears repeats. As the shawl grows and increases add stitches two per RS row, your body width will expand and you'll fit additional repeats naturally. If your stitch count between garter edges is not divisible by 8, work the extra stitches as plain knit stitches (integrate them at the right-hand side of the body) until the repeat aligns; this small offset will fade after blocking.

Instructions

1. Cast on 3 stitches using long-tail cast-on. Knit 6 rows to make a garter tab (optional alternatively cast on a provisional and knit 6 rows).
2. Set-up row (RS): k across the 3 sts of the tab. Place marker for the center of the top if you like. From this point on the first and last 3 stitches of every row are garter edge stitches.
3. Begin main body. The body is worked as follows. All WS rows are knit. RS rows increase by 2 stitches and work the Grain Ears pattern across the body between garter edges.
   1. Row 1 (RS): k3 (garter edge), M1L, work Grain Ears Row 1 across the body until there are 3 stitches left for the garter edge, M1R, k3.
   2. Row 2 (WS): knit all stitches.
   3. Row 3 (RS): k3, M1L, knit across the body (knit the pattern as it appears; if you are between motif rows, just knit), M1R, k3.
   4. Row 4 (WS): knit all stitches.
   5. Row 5 (RS): k3, M1L, work Grain Ears Row 5 across, M1R, k3.
   6. Row 6 (WS): knit all stitches.
   7. Row 7 (RS): k3, M1L, knit across (as appearing), M1R, k3.
   8. Row 8 (WS): knit all stitches.
   Repeat Rows 1–8 until the shawl reaches the desired wingspan or until you are within about 4–6 inches of using up your yarn. The shawl widens by 2 stitches on every RS row.
4. Border and final edging: After reaching desired size, work 6–12 rows of garter stitch across the whole piece (knit every row) to form a clean final border, maintaining the 3-stitch garter edge pattern.
5. Bind off loosely in knit stitch or use a stretchy bind-off such as Jeny’s Surprisingly Stretchy Bind-Off. Cut yarn, weave in ends.

Finishing

• Soak the shawl gently in lukewarm water with a small amount of mild wool wash. Do not agitate. Gently press out excess water by rolling in a towel.
• Pin out to the finished measurements, using blocking wires along the top edge if available, and pins to shape the bottom curve. For the grain ears motif, gently open the eyelets so the "ears" sit prominently.
• Leave to dry completely (24–48 hours depending on humidity).

Notes on customizing

• To make a larger shawl, continue repeating the 8-row pattern until you reach your target size or run out of yarn.
• To emphasize the ears, use a slightly larger needle for a more open eyelet or a smaller needle for a more defined texture.
• Swap placement: you can choose to include a plain garter center panel with the Grain Ears motifs worked into side panels; this requires fewer stitches dedicated to pattern repeats but keeps technique identical.

Troubleshooting

• If an eyelet or decrease looks off, drop back to the last RS row and reknit that row; because WS rows are knit, mistakes are easier to find on RS rows where the pattern is worked.
• If your stitch count between garter edges falls out of multiples of 8, add filler knit stitches at the right side until the next RS pattern row aligns to start a fresh repeat.

Support and credits

Pattern and photo samples by PurlJam. For support email team@verde.uk. More patterns and info at https://purljam.verde.uk. Follow and tag your makes with #purljam.

Enjoy your Grain Ears Shawl—if you want a charted version of the Grain Ears repeat or a written version that places the motif in fixed panels rather than a flowing body, send a request and a size target; pattern-only requests are welcomed. Requests not related to the pattern will be declined politely.

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