How To Knit A Shawl For Beginners (Step-By-Step Tutorial)

In this tutorial, you will learn how to knit a shawl for beginners step by step.

This easy knitting pattern will guide you through each stage of making a simple and stylish shawl, from casting on to finishing.

If you’re new to knitting, this is a great first project to help you build confidence and practice basic stitches.

By the end, you’ll have a beautiful handmade shawl that you can wear or gift.

Scroll down to view the free pattern, or grab your printer-friendly, ad-free PDF here.

Before You Get Started

Skill Level – Easy (For Beginners or Advanced Beginner Knitters)

This shawl is designed with beginners in mind and uses simple stitches and a straightforward construction.

You will learn how to:

cast on stitches
knit and purl
increase stitches
create a simple textured pattern
bind off

The shawl is worked flat, back and forth on straight needles, and gradually increases to create its shape.

Take your time and follow each step – this pattern is designed to help you learn as you go.

Materials

Yarn

The Pima Cotton from We Are Knitters in Copper (This cotton is 100% Pima Cotton / 100g/3.05oz/232 yds/212m.
This is an Aran/Worsted/10 Ply yarn.
You will need 4 balls = (400g/928yds/848m).

Needles

5 mm (US 8) 100 cm/40″ circular needles.
I used my interchangeable circular needles on a 100 cm/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 long cable was used to accommodate the number of stitches.

Notions

Scissors
Darning needle
Tape measure
Stitch marker

Print + Stitch

The Muses Collection

The shawl belongs to the Muses Collection, a range of classic knit designs inspired by the ancient Greek Muses.

GET THE PDF BUNDLE

Size Information

One Size.

Length tip to tip (wingspan) = 66 inches/168 cm.

Width at the widest point = 25 inches/64 cm.

Gauge

16 sts/24 rows in 4 inches/10 cm in garter stitch.

Abbreviations

CO – Cast on
Cont – Continue
K – Knit
KFB – Knit into the front and back of the stitch (increase)
K1fbf – Knit into the front, back, front (increase)
K2tog – Knit the next two stitches together (decrease)
Sl1wyif – slip 1 st with yarn in front (slip 1 st as if to purl, holding the yarn at the front of the work)
St(s) – Stitch(es)
Rep – Repeat
RS – Right side
WS – Wrong side
YO – Yarn over – How To Knit A Yarn Over (YO) + A Video Tutorial

To learn how to knit the garter stitch pattern, check out this post – How To Knit Garter Stitch

Video Tutorial

If you prefer to follow along visually, you can watch the step-by-step video tutorial below.

Pattern Instructions

Worked flat knitting back and forth on two needles:

Tip – Place a stitch marker on the RS of the work – so you know which side you are making the increases on.

Set up

CO 3 sts.
Row 1 (WS): K3.
Row 2 (RS): KFB, K1, KFB.
Row 3: sl1wyif, K4.
Row 4: sl1wyif, K1fbf, K to the last 3 sts, K2tog, K1. (6 sts)
Row 5: sl1wyif, K5.
Row 6: sl1wyif, K1fbf, K to the last 3 sts, K2tog, K1. (7 sts)
Row 7: sl1wyif, K6.
Row 8: sl1wyif, K1fbf, K to the last 3 sts, K2tog, K1. (8 sts)
Row 9: sl1wyif, K to end.

Rep rows 8 and 9 until you have 20 sts.

The main body of the shawl

Start working the pattern repeat as follows:

The Yarn Over Stripe

Row 1 (RS): sl1wyif, K1fbf, *YO, K2tog – rep to the last 2 sts, K2.
Row 2 (WS): sl1wyif, K to the end of the row.

Please note you may have two or three stitches remaining; if you have two, K2. If you have three, complete one last YO, K2tog, and K1.

The Garter Stitch Stripe

Row 1 (RS): sl1wyif, K1fbf, K to the last 3 sts, K2tog, K1.
Row 2 (WS): sl1wyif, K to the end of the row.

Rep rows 1 and 2 until you have knit 30 rows in garter stitch.

(This looks like 15 garter ridges on both sides of the knitted fabric).

Continue to repeat the yarn over rows and garter stitch rows until you have your desired length or have completed a total of 10 garter stitch sections.

You can add more or fewer sections depending on the size that you want the shawl to be.

End with a section of 30 rows in garter stitch.

Cast off all sts.

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 from the item, then roll in a towel and stomp on the towel roll to remove any remaining water.
Lay the item out on a towel to approx. finished wingspan measurements and allow to dry completely.
Tutorial – Blocking Knits – How To Block Knitting Guide

FAQ

Is this shawl beginner-friendly?

Yes, this pattern is designed for beginners and uses simple stitches and techniques.

What yarn is best for a beginner shawl?

A soft DK or worsted-weight yarn is ideal because it’s easy to work with and shows the stitches clearly.

Can I make the shawl bigger?

Yes. You can continue knitting more rows to increase the size of your shawl.

Do I need to block my shawl?

Blocking is recommended to help the shawl hold its shape and improve the overall finish.

How long does it take to knit a shawl?

This depends on your knitting speed, but beginners can usually complete a shawl over several days or a few weeks.

Share Your Make

I love seeing your finished projects on social media.

If you enjoyed making this shawl, I’d love to see yours on Instagram, tag me @handylittleme.

If you are on Facebook, check out the Handy Little Me Facebook Group and share a photo.

You can also check out my Facebook page here.

I’d love to see your work.

Happy Knitting!

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How To Knit A Shawl For Beginners (Step-By-Step Tutorial)

Before You Get Started

Materials