purlJam

# AUTUMN GRADIENT SHAWL
## A Beginner-Friendly Triangular Shawl

**Difficulty Level:** Beginner  
**Construction:** Top-down triangular shawl with center spine increases

---

## MATERIALS

**Yarn:** Worsted weight yarn (approximately 1,200 total yards)
- Color A (Dark Brown): 200 yards
- Color B (Deep Purple): 200 yards  
- Color C (Forest Green): 200 yards
- Color D (Bone): 200 yards
- Color E (Copper): 200 yards
- Color F (Variegated Brown): 200 yards

**Needles:** US 8 (5 mm) circular needle, 32" or longer (to accommodate large stitch count)

**Notions:** 
- Stitch markers (3)
- Tapestry needle for weaving in ends
- Blocking wires or pins

**Gauge:** 18 sts × 24 rows = 4" (10 cm) in garter stitch, blocked

*Gauge is not critical for this project, but will affect final size and yardage.*

---

## ABBREVIATIONS
- k: knit
- yo: yarn over
- RS: right side
- WS: wrong side
- st(s): stitch(es)
- pm: place marker
- sm: slip marker

---

## FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Approximately 60" (152 cm) wingspan × 30" (76 cm) deep, after blocking

---

## PATTERN NOTES
- This shawl is worked from the top down, beginning with a garter tab cast-on.
- Increases are worked on every RS row, adding 4 stitches per RS row (2 stitches on each side of the center spine).
- All WS rows are knit across.
- Join new colors at the beginning of a RS row (at the edge, not in the middle).
- Leave 6" tails for weaving in.
- Slip all markers as you come to them.

---

## PATTERN INSTRUCTIONS

### GARTER TAB CAST-ON
Using Color A (Dark Brown), cast on 3 sts.

Knit 6 rows (3 garter ridges).

**Turn work 90 degrees.** Pick up and knit 3 sts along the side edge (1 st in each garter ridge).

**Turn work 90 degrees again.** Pick up and knit 3 sts from cast-on edge.

**Total: 9 sts** [Math check: 3 + 3 + 3 = 9 ✓]

---

### SETUP ROW (WS)
K3, pm, k3, pm, k3.

The center 3 stitches (between the two markers) form the spine of the shawl.

---

### BODY - COLOR A (DARK BROWN)

**Increase Row (RS):** K3, yo, sm, k3, sm, yo, k3. (4 sts increased)

**WS:** Knit all sts.

Repeat these 2 rows until you have completed **40 RS rows** in Color A.

**Stitch count after 40 RS rows: 169 sts** [Math check: 9 + (40 × 4) = 9 + 160 = 169 ✓]

---

### BODY - COLOR B (DEEP PURPLE)

Join Color B at beginning of next RS row.

**Increase Row (RS):** K3, yo, sm, k3, sm, yo, k3. (4 sts increased)

**WS:** Knit all sts.

Repeat these 2 rows until you have completed **40 RS rows** in Color B (80 total RS rows from beginning).

**Stitch count after Color B: 329 sts** [Math check: 169 + (40 × 4) = 169 + 160 = 329 ✓]

---

### BODY - COLOR C (FOREST GREEN)

Join Color C at beginning of next RS row.

**Increase Row (RS):** K3, yo, sm, k3, sm, yo, k3. (4 sts increased)

**WS:** Knit all sts.

Repeat these 2 rows until you have completed **40 RS rows** in Color C (120 total RS rows from beginning).

**Stitch count after Color C: 489 sts** [Math check: 329 + (40 × 4) = 329 + 160 = 489 ✓]

---

### BODY - COLOR D (BONE)

Join Color D at beginning of next RS row.

**Increase Row (RS):** K3, yo, sm, k3, sm, yo, k3. (4 sts increased)

**WS:** Knit all sts.

Repeat these 2 rows until you have completed **40 RS rows** in Color D (160 total RS rows from beginning).

**Stitch count after Color D: 649 sts** [Math check: 489 + (40 × 4) = 489 + 160 = 649 ✓]

---

### BODY - COLOR E (COPPER)

Join Color E at beginning of next RS row.

**Increase Row (RS):** K3, yo, sm, k3, sm, yo, k3. (4 sts increased)

**WS:** Knit all sts.

Repeat these 2 rows until you have completed **40 RS rows** in Color E (200 total RS rows from beginning).

**Stitch count after Color E: 809 sts** [Math check: 649 + (40 × 4) = 649 + 160 = 809 ✓]

---

### LACE EDGING - COLOR F (VARIEGATED BROWN)

Join Color F at beginning of next RS row.

**Row 1 (RS):** K3, yo, sm, k1, *yo, k2tog; repeat from * to 1 st before marker, k1, sm, yo, k3. (4 sts increased)

**Row 2 (WS):** Knit all sts.

**Row 3 (RS):** K3, yo, sm, k2, *yo, k2tog; repeat from * to 1 st before marker, k1, sm, yo, k3. (4 sts increased)

**Row 4 (WS):** Knit all sts.

**Row 5 (RS):** K3, yo, sm, k1, *yo, k2tog; repeat from * to 1 st before marker, k1, sm, yo, k3. (4 sts increased)

**Row 6 (WS):** Knit all sts.

**Row 7 (RS):** K3, yo, sm, k2, *yo, k2tog; repeat from * to 1 st before marker, k1, sm, yo, k3. (4 sts increased)

**Row 8 (WS):** Knit all sts.

**Final stitch count: 825 sts** [Math check: 809 + (4 RS rows × 4) = 809 + 16 = 825 ✓]

---

### BIND OFF

**Bind off VERY LOOSELY on RS.** The edge must stretch to accommodate blocking.

Tip: Use a needle 2-3 sizes larger for binding off, or use the suspended bind-off method.

Remove markers as you bind off.

---

## FINISHING

### Weaving in Ends
Weave in all ends using tapestry needle. For color changes, weave ends along the edge in matching colors for about 2-3 inches.

### Blocking
Blocking is ESSENTIAL for this shawl to achieve proper dimensions and to open up the lace edging.

1. Soak the shawl in lukewarm water with wool wash for 15-20 minutes.
2. Gently squeeze out excess water (do not wring). Roll in a towel to remove more moisture.
3. Lay flat on blocking surface (foam mats, carpeted floor, or bed).
4. Pin out the top center point first.
5. Pin out each bottom corner, gently stretching the wingspan to approximately 60".
6. Pin along the bottom edge, creating gentle scallops between the corners and center. The lace pattern will create natural scallops.
7. Pin along the two top edges from center to corners.
8. Allow to dry completely (24-48 hours) before unpinning.

---

## PATTERN VARIATIONS

**Smaller Shawl:** Work fewer rows in each color section (try 30 rows per color for a smaller shawlette).

**Larger Shawl:** Work additional rows in Color E before beginning the edging, or add more colors.

**Solid Color:** Use a single color throughout for a classic look.

**Different Edging:** The lace edging can be replaced with additional garter stitch rows, or try a picot bind-off for a decorative edge.

---

## DESIGN NOTES

This shawl showcases a beautiful autumn gradient that transitions from rich earth tones through jewel tones to warm metallics. The simple garter stitch body provides a meditative knit perfect for beginners, while the gentle lace edging adds just enough interest without being intimidating. The variegated brown edging ties all the colors together and adds visual complexity.

The triangular shape drapes beautifully and can be worn multiple ways: folded in half as a triangle with the point down the back, wrapped with the long edge around the shoulders, or even as a scarf.

---

**Pattern designed for beginner knitters practicing increases and color changes.**

*© 2024. For personal use only.*