Hip Wrap Triangle Shawl

Easy garter & lace triangle — wear as shawl or tie at the waist as a hip warmer

A simple center-top-down triangle in soft garter stitch with a light eyelet lace border. The long edge wraps comfortably around the waist or hips; tie the two corners (or the optional I-cord ties) to keep your hips warm. One generous size.

Skill Level: Easy
Skills used: knit, yarn over, k2tog, garter-tab cast-on, basic binding off, wet blocking

Finished Measurements (after blocking)

• Wingspan (long edge): approximately 70 inches (178 cm)
• Depth (center spine to border edge): approximately 20 inches (51 cm)

One size fits most as a waist/hip wrap; longer edge gives overlap for tying.

Yarn

Worsted weight yarn: approximately 500 yards (457 m)
Example: 3 skeins of a smooth wool or wool-blend worsted (approx. 170–200 yd / 100 g each). Solid or gently tonal colors show the lace best.

Needles

• US 8 / 5 mm circular needle, 32 inches (80 cm) or longer (to hold the growing stitches comfortably)
• Optional: US 8 / 5 mm double-pointed needles or same circular for I-cord ties

Notions

• 2 stitch markers
• Tapestry needle
• Blocking mats, wires or pins
• Optional: spare yarn for provisional ties or measuring tape

Gauge

18 stitches and 36 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in garter stitch, blocked.

Row gauge is important for depth. Change needle size if needed to obtain gauge. A slightly looser fabric is fine for drape.

Notes

• Shawl is worked flat from the center of the top edge downward.
• Garter stitch = knit every row.
• Increases: Every RS row you work 4 yarn overs (one at each outer edge and one on each side of the center spine stitch). Stitch count rises by 4 every RS row.
• Markers sit on either side of the single center spine stitch and are slipped as you come to them.
• Lace border continues the same 4-increase shaping so the triangle stays even.
• The two outer corners of the long bound-off edge are the tie points for wearing as a hip wrap.
• US English terminology and imperial measurements (metric in parentheses).

Abbreviations (US)

Pattern Instructions

Garter Tab Cast-On (center top)

CO 3 sts.

Knit 6 rows (3 garter ridges).

Do not turn after the last row. Rotate work 90° clockwise; pick up and knit 3 sts along the long side edge of the tab (1 st in each ridge).

Rotate 90° clockwise again; pick up and knit 3 sts along the original cast-on edge.
9 sts now on needle. (3 + 3 + 3 = 9 ✓)

Setup

Next row (WS): K3, pm, k3, pm, k3.
(Markers enclose the center 3 sts; the middle stitch of those 3 will become the permanent spine.)

Next row (RS) — first increase row: K3, yo, sm, k1, yo, k1, yo, sm, k1, yo, k3.
13 sts. (9 + 4 = 13 ✓)

Next row (WS): Knit all sts (including the yarn overs), slipping markers.

Garter Body

Row 1 (RS): K3, yo, knit to marker, yo, sm, k1, yo, sm, knit to last 3 sts, yo, k3.
(+4 sts)

Row 2 (WS): Knit all sts, slipping markers.

Rep Rows 1–2 until you have 301 sts and the piece measures approximately 16 inches (40.5 cm) along the center spine from the cast-on tab to the needle, ending after a WS row.

Check: Starting from 13 sts, each RS row adds 4. After 72 additional RS increase rows: 13 + (72 × 4) = 13 + 288 = 301 ✓.

(If your row gauge differs, work until the spine measures 16 inches; note your stitch count — it should be near 301 and an odd number so the center spine remains 1 st between markers. Adjust by one RS row if needed to keep markers flanking a single center st.)

Lace Border

Continue the same edge-and-spine increases while working the easy eyelet pattern.

Lace Row 1 (RS): K3, yo, *k2tog, yo; rep from * to 1 st before marker, k1, yo, sm, k1, yo, sm, k1, *yo, k2tog; rep from * to last 3 sts, yo, k3.
(+4 sts)

Lace Row 2 (WS): Knit all sts, slipping markers.

Lace Row 3 (RS): K3, yo, knit to marker, yo, sm, k1, yo, sm, knit to last 3 sts, yo, k3.
(+4 sts)

Lace Row 4 (WS): Knit all sts, slipping markers.

Lace Row 5 (RS): Rep Lace Row 1.
(+4 sts)

Lace Row 6 (WS): Knit all sts, slipping markers.

Lace Row 7 (RS): Rep Lace Row 3.
(+4 sts)

Lace Row 8 (WS): Knit all sts, slipping markers.

Lace Row 9 (RS): Rep Lace Row 1.
(+4 sts)

Lace Row 10 (WS): Knit all sts, slipping markers.

Lace Row 11 (RS): Rep Lace Row 3.
(+4 sts)

Lace Row 12 (WS): Knit all sts, slipping markers.

325 sts. (301 + 6 RS rows × 4 = 301 + 24 = 325 ✓)

Center spine measures approximately 17½–18 inches (44–46 cm) before blocking.

Bind Off

On the next RS row, bind off loosely knitwise as follows (still working the increases so the edge stays soft and full):
K3, yo, *k1, pass previous st over; rep from * while working the usual yo increases at the markers and edges (treat each yo as an ordinary stitch to bind off).

Alternatively, bind off loosely knitwise on a plain RS increase row without further patterning: K3, yo, knit toward marker working yo increases exactly as Body Row 1, and bind off each stitch as you go. Keep the bind-off very loose (use a larger needle if needed) so the long edge can stretch in blocking and wrap easily.

Fasten off. Weave in ends loosely; final weaving after blocking.

Optional I-Cord Ties (recommended for secure waist fastening)

With US 8 / 5 mm needles and remaining yarn, work two 14–16 inch (35–40 cm) I-cords:
CO 3 sts. *K3, do not turn, slide sts to other end of needle; rep from * until cord measures 14–16 inches. BO.

Sew one I-cord securely to each outer corner of the long bound-off edge. Weave in ends.
(Twisted cord or purchased ribbon ties may be substituted.)

Finishing & Blocking

1. Weave in all remaining ends on the WS.
2. Soak the shawl in lukewarm water with a little wool wash for 15–20 minutes. Gently squeeze (do not wring).
3. Roll in a towel to remove excess water.
4. Lay flat on blocking mats. Shape into a neat isosceles triangle:
   • Pin the center top (garter tab) first.
   • Stretch the long bound-off edge to approximately 70 inches (178 cm).
   • Pull the center spine to approximately 20 inches (51 cm) depth.
   • Pin the two side edges evenly so they are straight and equal.
   • Open the lace eyelets gently with pins or wires.
5. Allow to dry completely.
6. Remove pins. Trim any stray ends.

Wearing

As a hip warmer / wrap “skirt”:
Place the long bound-off edge around your waist or high hips with the center point hanging down over the seat or one hip. Bring the two corners (or I-cord ties) to the front or side and tie securely. The garter fabric has enough stretch and grip to stay put for light wear.

As a classic shawl:
Drape the center top at the back of the neck; wrap the wings forward. The lace border falls at the lower edge.

Inline count summary (for reference)

• Garter tab + pick-ups = 9 sts ✓
• First RS inc → 13 sts ✓
• Body ends at 301 sts (13 + 72 × 4 = 301) ✓
• 6 lace RS increase rows → 325 sts (301 + 24 = 325) ✓
• Blocked target: ~70" wingspan × 20" depth ✓

Enjoy your warm hips (and shoulders)!