A knit shawl is the perfect mix of relaxing and rewarding. Most start with just a few stitches and grow row by row, so you can knit on the couch without counting much. When you finish, you have something you can wear over a coat, around your neck like a scarf, or wrapped over your shoulders at the office.
Here are 13 free knit shawl patterns, from easy garter triangles to crescent lace and big cozy wraps. Each entry lists the yarn weight, needle size and skill notes we found on the designer’s page.
Knit Shawl Free Patterns
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What You’ll Need
- Long circular needles, 29″ to 40″
- Fingering, DK or bulky yarn
- Locking stitch markers
- Blocking mats
- Rust-proof T-pins or blocking wires
- Tapestry needle
- Row counter
1. Simple Yet Effective Bulky Shawl
Photo: Laura Chau
The name says it all. This top-down triangle starts at the neck and grows quickly in bulky yarn on big needles. Use a thinner yarn with the same needles and you get a lacy, airy look; use the bulky yarn and it is warm enough for winter. A great first shawl.
- Designer: Laura Chau
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Bulky (#5)
- Needle size: US 11 (8 mm)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
2. Diagonal Garter Stripes Shawl
Photo: Caron / Yarnspirations
Worked corner to corner in garter stitch, this 20″ by 60″ shawl lets a gradient yarn cake do the color changes for you. It is easy, relaxing knitting, and the diagonal stripes look much harder than they are. It is a free download with no sign-up.
- Designer: Caron / Yarnspirations
- Skill level: Easy
- Yarn: Caron Skinny Cakes
- Needle size: see pattern (US 6 or 7 shown on page)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
3. Honest Warmth Shawl
Photo: Lion Brand Yarn
A big, cozy garter stitch shawl about 45″ by 67″ in bulky yarn. Rated easy, it is a good choice if you want a wrap you can snuggle into on cold nights. The simple stitch means you can knit it while watching TV.
- Designer: Lion Brand Yarn
- Skill level: Easy
- Yarn: Bulky (#5)
- Needle size: see pattern
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
4. Easy Top-Down Crescent Shawl
Photo: Louise Bollanos / Handy Little Me
A crescent shawl worked flat from the top in garter stitch with rows of yarn overs that add a light, open look. Two strands of fingering yarn held together make it soft and warm. It is about 56″ from tip to tip, and you can make it longer by repeating rows.
- Designer: Louise Bollanos / Handy Little Me
- Skill level: Easy
- Yarn: Fingering (#1), held double
- Needle size: 6 mm (US 10), 40″ circular
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
5. Boneyard Shawl
Photo: Stephen West
A modern classic with thousands of projects on Ravelry. This triangle is worked from the top center with simple textured ridges, and you can use any yarn weight. Keep going with more repeats for a bigger shawl. It is a great way to show off one special skein.
- Designer: Stephen West
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: DK (#3), or any weight
- Needle size: US 7 (4.5 mm)
- Price: Free (Ravelry download)
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
6. Textured Shawl Recipe
Photo: Orlane Sucche / Tête Bêche Knitwear
This top-down triangle is written more like a recipe than a row-by-row pattern, with notes from the designer’s own version. That makes it a fun project if you like a little freedom. The textured stitch looks great in DK yarn on larger needles.
- Designer: Orlane Sucche / Tête Bêche Knitwear
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: DK (#3)
- Needle size: US 9 (5.5 mm)
- Price: Free (Ravelry download)
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
7. Merlot Alpaca Wrap
Photo: Jessica / Mama In A Stitch
A flat-knit wrap that mixes simple mesh stitches with seed stitch and garter stitch. Wear it as a shawl or wrap it like an oversized scarf. Alpaca blend yarn on US 11 needles makes it soft and drapey. A nice next step once you are comfortable with yarn overs.
- Designer: Jessica / Mama In A Stitch
- Skill level: Intermediate
- Yarn: Lion Brand Touch of Alpaca, about 5 skeins
- Needle size: US 11 (8 mm), 29″ circular
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
8. Nurmilintu
Photo: Heidi Alander
A triangle shawl knit in one piece with sections of garter stitch and lace, and no purl stitches at all. You can make it bigger by repeating the garter and lace sections. It is a lovely first lace shawl because the garter rows give you a rest between lace sections.
- Designer: Heidi Alander
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Fingering (#1)
- Needle size: US 4 (3.5 mm) and US 6 (4 mm)
- Price: Free (Ravelry download)
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
9. Multnomah
Photo: Kate Ray
A top-down triangle in garter stitch with a pretty lace border. It finishes at about 44″ by 19″, a nice size for wearing as a scarf. This pattern has been a favorite for years and is a good way to use one skein of hand-dyed sock yarn.
- Designer: Kate Ray
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Fingering (#1)
- Needle size: US 3 (3.25 mm)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
10. Traveling Woman
Photo: Liz Abinante
A top-down lace triangle with both charts and written steps. The pattern covers many sizes and several yarn weights, from lace to worsted, so you can make it with almost any yarn you love. The lace border makes it feel special while the body stays simple.
- Designer: Liz Abinante
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Fingering (#1), with other weights included
- Needle size: US 6–9 (4–5.5 mm), by yarn weight
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
11. Haruni
Photo: Emily Ross
A top-down triangle with a leafy lace pattern and a decorative chain bind-off. The charts come with written directions, and you can change the size by working more or fewer repeats of the first chart. A beautiful project when you are ready for real lace.
- Designer: Emily Ross
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Fingering (#1)
- Needle size: US 4 (3.5 mm)
- Price: Free (Ravelry download)
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
12. Annis
Photo: Susanna IC
A crescent shawlette knit from the outside edge in, with short rows shaping the curve. It mixes lace with plain stockinette, and it is meant to be tied or draped loosely around your neck. It looks delicate and airy in lace or fingering yarn.
- Designer: Susanna IC
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Lace (#0) or fingering
- Needle size: US 8 (5 mm) and US 10 (6 mm)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
13. Kiri
Photo: Polly Outhwaite
A classic lace triangle worked top-down with a provisional cast-on, available as both a chart and written pattern. In a fine mohair yarn it is almost weightless but still warm. With over a thousand ratings, it is a trusted pick for your first big lace shawl.
- Designer: Polly Outhwaite
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Lace (#0), about 700 yards
- Needle size: US 7 (4.5 mm) and US 8 (5 mm)
- Price: Free (Ravelry download)
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
Which One Should You Make?
- First shawl ever? Start with #1 Simple Yet Effective or #3 Honest Warmth. Both are easy and quick.
- Love color? #2 lets a gradient yarn cake make the stripes for you.
- Have one special skein of sock yarn? Try #5 Boneyard or #9 Multnomah.
- Want to try lace gently? #8 Nurmilintu has garter rest rows between lace sections.
- Ready for a showpiece? #11 Haruni and #13 Kiri are true lace shawls.
FAQ
What is the easiest knit shawl for beginners?
A top-down garter stitch triangle is the easiest. You start with a few stitches and increase at the edges and center, so you only need the knit stitch and a yarn over. Bulky yarn on big needles makes it grow fast, which keeps you motivated.
How much yarn do I need for a knit shawl?
A small shawlette in fingering yarn can use one skein of about 400 yards. A large wrap can need 700 to 1,000 yards or more. Check the pattern, and for top-down triangles remember you can stop when you run out of yarn.
Do I need to block a knit shawl?
Blocking makes a big difference, especially for lace. Soak the shawl in cool water, gently squeeze out the extra, and pin it flat on mats to open up the stitches. Let it dry fully. Garter and textured shawls need less stretching, but a soak still evens the stitches.
Pick a shawl, cast on a few stitches, and enjoy watching it grow into something you will wear for years.