Easy Top-Down Crescent Shawl Knitting Pattern
THIS ARTICLE CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS THAT SUPPORT HANDY LITTLE ME CONTENT AND FREE PATTERNS.In this post, you will see an easy top-down crescent shawl knitting pattern.
The simple construction and details allow this design to be worn with many outfits for fall.
Scroll down to view the free pattern, or grab the inexpensive ad-free PDF in my shop here.
What Is A Crescent Shawl?
Crescent shawls are very popular and can be achieved through a few different methods of construction.
There are three ways to create a crescent shape, from side to side, with short rows, or from the top down.
Crescent shawls are very popular and a nice shape to try out once you have completed a triangle shawl.
Related Post: How To Knit An Easy Triangle Scarf
A Basic Top-Down Crescent Shawl
Worked from the top down, this is a simple way to try out this interesting shawl shape.
This type of crescent shawl can be made easily through a series of yarn overs.
You can block the shawl when finished to get that curved crescent shape.
The stitch pattern used in this design
This shawl is knit in garter stitch with repeated rows of yarn overs that create holes in the knitted fabric.
The shawl is knit from one end to the other and needs lots of concentration to get those yarn overs in a straight line!
This shawl needed 3 x skeins of Martin’s Lab Yarn – Comfy Merino/color Inferno.
Resources and tutorials you may find helpful in following this pattern:
This shawl pattern is great for any advanced beginner knitters.
- Knitting cast-on methods
- Knitting Lessons
- How to cast on knitting
- How to cast off knitting for total beginners (step by step)
- How to knit garter stitch
- How to knit the purl stitch (for beginners + a video tutorial)
- How to knit stockinette stitch (for beginners)
- How to read knitting patterns for beginners
- Knitting abbreviations and terms (US and UK)
- How to knit rib stitch patterns (1×1 and 2×2 ribbing)
- You can also see this tutorial on how to knit with two strands of yarn together.
- How to yarn over.
Easy Top Down Crescent Shawl Knitting Pattern
Grab the inexpensive ad-free, PDF printable pattern in my shop here.
Notes
This shawl is a crescent shawl knit from the top down.
Crescent shawls are half-moon-shaped shawls that are worn draped around the shoulders or worn as a capelet.
This shawl has a lovely drape when worn because of the shaping and the yarn that was used.
Copyright Info
- Please do not copy, sell, redistribute, or republish this pattern.
- If you wish to share this pattern, link to the pattern page only.
- You may sell items produced using this pattern.
- Do NOT use copyrighted photos for your product listing.
- For the copyright T&C please read my Terms of Use.
Skill Level – Easy (advanced beginner)
Gauge – 16 sts/28 rows in 4 inches/10 cm in garter stitch.
Measurements / Sizes
Length tip to tip (wingspan) = 56 inches/142 cm.
Width at the widest point = 15 inches/38 cm.
A note on sizing…
This shawl can easily be adjusted to any size – you are repeating 2 rows until you reach your desired size.
Obviously, if you want to make the shawl larger – this will require more yarn.
The model in the photographs is a size small and this shawl is a S/M size.
The Supplies You Need
Yarn
- 3 x 100g skeins of Martin’s Lab Yarn – Comfy Merino/color Inferno.
- 100% Superwash Merino.
- 437 yards/400 meters per skein.
- This is a fingering yarn weight.
- This yarn was knit with two strands together.
- Substitute with any yarn suitable for the needle size listed.
Needles
- 6mm (US 10) 40″ circular needles.
- I used my interchangeable circular needles on a 100cm/40″ cable.
- I did not join in the round to knit the shawl.
- The shawl is worked back and forth on the needles – knit flat.
- The cable was used to accommodate the number of stitches.
Notions
- Scissors
- Darning needle
- Tape measure.
- Stitch markers x 10
- Closed stitch marker x 1
Abbreviations
- CO – Cast on
- Cont – Continue
- K – Knit
- PM – Place marker
- SM – Slip marker
- St(s) – Stitch(es)
- Rep – Repeat
- RS – Right side
- WS – Wrong side
- YO – Yarn over
Crescent Shawl Pattern
Worked flat knitting back and forth on two needles:
- CO 15 sts.
- Row 1 (RS): K3, (PM, YO, K1) x 4, PM, K1, (PM, K1, YO) x 4, PM, K3.
- Row 2 (WS): K to the end of the row slipping markers.
- Row 3: K3, (SM, YO, K to marker) x 4, SM, K1, (SM, K to marker, YO) x 4, SM, K3.
- Row 4: K to the end of the row slipping markers.
Rep rows 3 and 4 until you get your desired size.
Cast off.
Weave in all loose ends.
TIP – Place a closed stitch marker on the right side of the work, so that you always know which side to do the yarn overs.
Finishing and blocking
You may wish to block your shawl, you can do that as follows:
- Make sure all ends are woven in using a tapestry needle or method of choice.
- Gently block by filling a sink or water basin with lukewarm water, and add a small amount of rinse less wool wash.
- Place the items in the water and gently massage out any air bubbles.
- Drain water, gently squeezing out any excess water from the item, then roll in a towel, and stomp on the towel roll to remove any more excess water.
- Lay the item out on a towel to approx. finished wingspan measurements and allow to dry completely.
If you wish to learn more about blocking you can do so here – Blocking Knits – How To Block Knitting Guide
You may also like…
- Love Triangle Shawl Knitting Pattern
- Diana Asymmetrical Shawl Knitting Pattern
- Knitted Triangle Shawl Pattern (Ms.M)
- Shades Of Water Shawl Knitting Pattern
- 37 Free Shawl Knitting Patterns To Make For Fall
- Scrap Yarn Shawl Knitting Pattern
If you enjoyed this pattern you may also like this triangle scarf pattern. – How To Knit An Easy Triangle Scarf
Share your work with us…
I love seeing your finished projects!
If you enjoyed making the shawl, I’d love to see yours on Instagram, be sure to tag me @handylittleme.
I’d love to see your work!
