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Outlander Carolina Shawl Pattern

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The Outlander Carolina Shawl Pattern will allow you to create a large knitted shawl with stripes in the design.

Seen worn by Claire Fraser in season 4, episode 1, ‘America The Beautiful’, and in future episodes.

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

Outlander Claire Carolina shawl

Inspired By The Outlander Knitted Shawls

If you have been watching the Outlander TV series, Claire has worn some very distinctive crossover triangle shawls in season four.

Inspired by the brown shawl Claire wears in Carolina, the triangle-shaped shawl is knit in garter stitch.

The shawl’s design is designed so you can wrap it around your body and tie it at the back.

This means you can wrap up your version of Claire’s Carolina shawl!

This pattern is part of my Outlander collection; you can see the other Outlander knitting patterns here.

What is the shawl called that Claire wears in Outlander?

The shawl that Claire wears in Outlander is known as a “claireidh” or “claire’s shawl.”

It’s a key piece of Claire’s wardrobe in the show and is often draped over her shoulders as part of her iconic look.

The claireidh is a knitted or crocheted shawl with a distinctive design featuring a combination of cables, lace, and textured stitches.

It serves both as a practical accessory for warmth and comfort and as a symbol of Claire’s character and connection to her Scottish heritage throughout the series.

Claire from Outlander wearing a brown knitted shawl
Image Source – Starz

Claire’s Carolina Shawl Knitting Pattern

Notes

Skill Level – Intermediate

The shawl is a quick knit, and the design makes for a relaxing and enjoyable project.

It would make a great gift and can be made in any color of your choice!

Video Tutorial

There is a video tutorial to help you to start knitting the shawl.

You can view that over on my YouTube channel here.

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.
  • In all product listings, please credit Handy Little Me (Louise Bollanos) as the designer.
  • Do NOT use copyrighted photos for your product listing.
  • For the copyright T&C, please read my Terms of Use.

Grab The Ultimate Outlander Knitting Pattern Collection With 39 Patterns Here

shop Now!

Size Information

Gauge

10 x 10 cm /4 x 4 inches = 10 sts and 20 rows in garter stitch.

Measurements/Sizes

*Please note – the measurements below are just a rough guide; you can knit this shawl until it is comfortable for you to wear – test it out against yourself to see if you want to make the length shorter or longer before casting off.

  • S / M – width tip to tip = 82 inches / 208 cm
  • Length – top to bottom = 36 inches / 91 cm
  • L /XL – width tip to tip = 122 inches / 310 cm
  • Length – top to bottom = 39 inches / 100 cm
  • XL/XXL –  width tip to tip = 142 inches / 361 cm
  • Length – top to bottom = 42 inches / 107 cm

Here are some tips on trying out your shawl size…

When you get to the length where you think you want to try the shawl on, but you’re not sure, take a ball of different color yarn and thread the end of it with a tapestry or yarn needle.

Don’t cut the end of this ball of yarn; you will not need to!

Then, thread all the stitches onto the different colored yarn using the tapestry needle, pushing them off the knitting needles one at a time. (Don’t worry, you can get them back!)

When the last stitch is off the knitting needles, stretch the shawl out to its natural shape, taking care not to lose the stitches off the different color yarn.

Now you can try it on and see how much longer you want it.

Next, carefully pick up the first stitch from the different color yarn, put it onto your knitting needle, and pull the yarn away, leaving the stitch back on your knitting needle as good as new.

Finally, repeat till you have all your stitches back and resume knitting your shawl.

Carolina shawl and grey mittens

The Supplies You Need…

Yarns

Needles

  • 8 mm (US 11) knitting needles – I used interchangeable circular needles on a 40″/100 cm cable as there were many stitches – I did not join in the round to knit.
  • 10 mm (US 15) interchangeable circular needles to cast off.

Notions

claires-carolina-shawl-knitting-pattern

Abbreviations

Knitting Abbreviations And Terms (US And UK)

  • Beg – beginning
  • Cont – Continue
  • Foll – following
  • K – knit
  • P – purl
  • YO – yarn over needle
  • PM – place marker
  • SM – slip marker

Pattern Instructions

Yarn A – Cast on 5 sts.

K1, YO, K1, YO, PM, K1, PM, YO, K1, YO, K1 (9 sts).

Turn the work and knit one row.

Then work in the pattern as follows:

Row 1: K1, YO, K to marker, YO, SM, K1, SM, YO, K to the last st, YO, K1.

Row 2: Knit all stitches.

Rep rows 1 and 2 until you have = S/M – 181 sts / L/XL – 241 XL/XXL – 281 ending with row 2.

triangle shawl tutorial

The color changes

Change to yarn B (black) and work in the established pattern for 4 rows.

Change to yarn A (brown) and work in the established pattern for 4 rows. 

Change to yarn B (black) and work in the established pattern for 4 rows.

Change to yarn A (brown) and work in the established pattern for 4 rows. 

Change to yarn B (black) and work in the established pattern for 4 rows.

Change to yarn A (brown) and work in the established pattern for 8 rows. 

Change to yarn B (black) and work in the established pattern for 1 row.

Cast off loosely – go up a needle size and use 10mm (US 15) needles if required.

View more Outlander Knitting Patterns here.

outlander-carolina-shawl

Outlander Claire’s Knitwear

Inspired by Claire Fraser wearing beautiful knitted pieces, the triangle wrap is knit by working from the top down.

If you have never knit a shawl in this way, it is fairly easy and you can see a photo tutorial below to help you or watch the video on my YouTube channel here.

The shawl will grow in size through a series of increases that occur through yarn overs.

It will have a nice open-stitch design down the spine of the shawl.

outlander-claires-carolina-shawl
Fraser’s Ridge Fingerless Mittens Pattern

The Needles You Need

  • I used 8 mm (US 11) 40-inch/100cm circular knitting needles for this pattern.
  • Using circular needles with a long cable is needed to accommodate a large number of stitches.
  • I recommend using a larger size needle to cast off – this helps to keep the stitches loose.
  • The size I recommend to cast off is 10mm (US 15) needles – if you have interchangeable needles this will be easy for you to do.
Carolina-shawl

The Yarn You Need

  • I used Alize SuperLana Maxi (100g (3.53 oz)/100mt (109 yards) – in the color 240 – Dark Brown for the main body of the shawl (for the quantities you need please see the pattern info below).
  • This yarn is a wool/acrylic blend and is very soft to the touch.
  • For the black stripe, I used Alize SuperLana Maxi (100g (3.53 oz)/100mt (109 yards) – in the color 60 – Black.
  • Substitute this yarn with any bulky weight yarn/chunky/12-ply weight (05).

Yarn Substitutes

  • I love this chunky – Hobby Lobby
  • Hue + Me – Lion Brand
  • Comfort chunky – King Cole
  • Softee chunky – Bernat
  • Chunky cakes – Caron
  • Re: Treat – West Yorkshire Spinners
  • Simply chunky – Paintbox yarns
Outlander Claire shawl

More Outlander Patterns

There are many more Outlander patterns in this collection, ranging from shawls, cowls, and scarves to fingerless gloves and arm warmers.

Visit the Outlander Pattern Collection Ebooks in my shop below:

Popular Patterns

Outlander Claire Carolina shawl
Outlander Claire Carolina Fingerless Gloves Pattern

Here are resources and tutorials you may find helpful in following this pattern:

This shawl pattern is great for any intermediate knitters.

outlander-carolina-shawl

Could you share your work with us?

I love seeing your finished projects on social media.

If you enjoyed making the pattern, I’d love to see yours on Instagram, be sure to tag me @handylittleme or #handylittleme to be featured.

Join the Handy Little Me Outlander Facebook Group.

I’d love to see your work.

Happy knitting!

Outlander Carolina Shawl Knitting Pattern

More Patterns You May Be Interested In…

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74 Comments

  1. Thank you for the Carolina Shawl pattern. I have been wanting to make this shawl for awhile now.
    It will make a lovely gift for me this Christmas.
    Again thank you for your generosity.

    Reply

    1. Hi Marge, I think this shawl will make a wonderful gift for you! I am so happy you like it and I hope that you enjoy making it 🙂

      Reply

  2. Thank you for the pattern! I haven’t knitted in years, this will be my first project to get back in the groove! I can’t wait to start.

    Reply

    1. Hello Pachia, thanks you so much for your kind words, that is wonderful news! – I hope you enjoy knitting the shawl 🙂

      Reply

  3. This is working up so nicely. Thank you.
    I am confused with the colour change.
    If you do the colour change when you reach the right size would the stops not be on the top of the shawl and not around the edge like in the picture?

    Reply

    1. Hello Miranda, I’m not sure if I understand what you mean by ‘the stops’ – the colour changes are correct in the pattern and when you need to start knitting with a different colour, you join in that colour right away, so the edge is starting in that colour. As you can see in the photographs – the black edge of the black stripe starts with the back yarn. You do not see any brown yarn in any part of the black stripes if that makes sense. I hope that helps! 🙂

      Reply

  4. First key new say, thank you so much for this pattern. I’m so envious of all the knit wear in Outlander and have been looking for this pattern forever. It’s so kind of you to offer this as a free pattern. I’m still fairly new to knitting, I understand how to do the shawl but I’m a little unsure of how to do the black stripes.

    Reply

  5. Thank you for this free pattern, I’m so happy I found it! Its so kind of you to share this! Just one question how do I do the stripes around it? I’m not sure what it means when it stays work in the established pattern. Is there a tutorial that I could watch on that part?

    Reply

    1. Hello Missy, when you start to work the stripes – you change the yarn colour (to black) and work in the established pattern – which means you keep working rows 1 and 2 but just in a different colour. Then you change back to brown (or whatever colour you are working with) and continue to work rows 1 and 2 in that colour. I hope that makes sense! Happy knitting 🙂

      Reply

  6. hi
    Omg, I love your shawl… especially with it being belted. Pretty sure I understand the directions but have one question. Can I change the open spine in the center back to another stitch? I’ve not had good luck with open spines… find they stretch out to big for me. I must have more of your patterns. Thank you so much!!
    Georgia

    Reply

    1. Hello Georgia, You can change the open spine if you wish – but this is where stitches are increased. As long as you keep increasing there and at the edges of the shawl you should be ok. I can’t guarantee what the end result will be like if you change any stitches in the pattern. 🙂

      Reply

    2. Hello, you could always knit the “yarn over” stitch you made in the previous row, twisting it by knitting the back side of the loop. That prevents it from opening too big. Good luck!

      Reply

  7. Hello, such a beautiful pattern, thank you! Silly question, but is this knit from the bottom up? I’m trying to get a visual as to when I change color. Thank you.

    Reply

    1. Hello Kelly, this shawl is knit from the top down and the colour changes are easily integrated into the shawl. Thanks for visiting 🙂

      Reply

  8. Hi! I’m making this shawl as I leave this comment! The pattern is so cute. Quick question(s): how did you keep the shawl in place when wrapped around to the back? Did you pin it or something like that?

    Reply

    1. Hello Kaitlyn, I wrapped the shawl and secured it at the back of the model in the photographs waist by tying the pointed corners together – it was long enough to do that, to tie and knot loosely into place. But you could also use a large pin if you wanted to instead of tying it. You wrap and cross it over your body so the two corner points end up at the back of your waist and then you tie them together and knot. I hope that helps 🙂

      Reply

    1. Hello Johanna, I’m so happy you like the shawl 🙂 The model is wearing the first size (S/M) she is around a UK size 8 / US 4 / EU 36. It also fits me just fine and I am a UK 10 / US 8 / EU 38, I hope that helps! 🙂

      Reply

  10. So, glad I double checked the yarn weight online, it’s actually a #6 super bulky and my family gifted me a case of yarn that weight for christmas, so I shall cast this on today with the hopes of getting a few done for our donation drive closer to summer, thank you so much for the pattern.

    Reply

    1. Hello Lisa, the Alize SuperLana Maxi Yarn is classed as a super bulky weight yarn to be used with needle sizes 8mm (US11) to 10mm (US 15) but the yarn is thinner in my opinion than other super bulky weight yarns, for example like Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick and Quick.

      If you were to substitute this yarn with a heavier super bulky weight you will end up with a thicker heavier shawl. I used size 8mm (US 11) needles with this yarn and it worked up really well, but you may have to adjust your needle size according to the super bulky yarn you use.

      I hope you enjoy making the shawl and I would love to see how it turns out – if you want to share a finished photo on Instagram and tag me or if you want to join The Handy Little Me facebook group. Happy Knitting! 🙂

      Reply

  11. Hi! I’m so excited to find this pattern. I’ve knit one triangle shawl before and the edges (where I cast off) roll upwards. In your pictures, the edges lay beautifully flat. Any tips? Thanks!!

    Reply

    1. Hello Julia, the shawl is knit in garter stitch, so therefore the edges lie flat when casting off.
      The yarn is also bulky weight, and when I made the shawl there were no problems with the edges curling.
      If you knit your previous shawl in stockinette stitch the edges would curl when casting off.
      I hope that you enjoy knitting the shawl 🙂
      Louise

      Reply

  13. Sorry one more question:) When the black yarn rows are worked… . Work 4 rows meaning row 1-2-1-2? The photo’s black stripes look like more rows were knit.
    TY!

    Reply

    1. Hello Bonnie,
      The black yarn is worked as it says in the pattern – for 4 rows, then the colour is changed to brown for 4 rows and then again to black for 4 rows etc.
      There are no more rows worked, than what it states in the pattern, as the design has thinnish black stripes.
      If you want to make the black stripes thicker, you can work more rows then it says to in the pattern.
      I hope that helps!
      Louise

      Reply

      1. I took a photo of your model’s shawl to see strioes up cliose:) Yep, only 4 rows TY for answering! I’m weighing options on carrying or cutting color changes. What do you recommend? Will wait to finish until I hear your advice. Have tried both methods on a sample. TY!!

        Reply

        1. Hello Bonnie,
          I cut the yarn I think for the colour changes and weaved in the ends.
          But you could try also carrying the colour – this may be difficult because of the yarn overs.
          If you did a sample using both methods – whichever one looks the neatest will be best.
          I hope you enjoy making the shawl!
          Louise

          Reply

  14. Your pattern ‘s instructions are so easy to follow! This is a fun,, quick knit ❤️ Thanks for sharing!!

    Reply

  15. So lovely! I am an Outlander junkie, a recent convert, having just read the first four books and purchased the first four dvd’s. (have starated on book 5, and ordered Season 5 dvd!) I am totally hooked! I have already made many a shawl, but when I try and do the shawl wrap to tie it, I find the top neckline bunches terribly, so I am thrilled to find a pattern for the real thing! I absolutely LOVE this pattern and will be surely making more than one! Plus wrist/arm warmers, plus the cowls, in fact..everything! Thank you so much for the wonderful patterns. Blessings to you!

    Reply

    1. Hello Barbara,
      Thank you so much for your kind words, I’m so happy you like the patterns!
      I too LOVE everything Outlander and can’t wait to add more patterns to the new Outlander collection coming this fall.
      Happy knitting!
      Louise

      Reply

    1. Hello Laura,
      If you used the bulky weight yarn then no – this is a heavy weight yarn and the shawl shouldn’t need to be blocked when finished.
      I didn’t block the shawl in the photos.
      I hope that helps!
      Louise

      Reply

  18. Hi! I’m currently knitting this shawl with Lion Brand Wool -Ease Thick & Quick Super Bulky weight 6 on the same size needles you used. (8mm (US 11) with a 40″ cable.) But, I’m already running out of room on my cable with only 112 stitches on it. Is that because mine is super bulky weight? Do I need a longer cable now to finish it? Thanks!

    Reply

    1. Hello Sue,
      Yes – the weight of yarn you have used is heavier than the yarn that I used – the Alize yarn so that is probably why you are running out of room on your cable.
      If you can switch to a longer cable that would make it easier for you.
      The yarn I used was more of a bulky weight and lighter/less bulky than the wool ease thick and quick yarn.
      I hope that helps and happy knitting!
      Louise

      Reply

  19. Love the pattern and have it on my list to make for this Christmas. Question though, in reading this, it appears if I follow the pattern, the stripes will end up on the longest side (up around the models shoulders) not on the bottom as shown in the picture? Just want to make sure I get it right before I start 😀 Lisa

    Reply

    1. Hello Lisa,
      The shawl is worked from the top down, so you start off with the main colour and then work the stripes in as you get closer to the bottom of the shawl.
      You can see a video tutorial on Youtube – the link is in the blog – to see how to start off this shawl.
      I hope that helps,
      Happy Knitting!
      Louise

      Reply

  20. Hello, im currently making this shawl and using a different gauge. Can you tell me the wing span measurements before you get to the stripes. I think I will need more stitches than 181. Thanks!

    Reply

    1. Hello Janelle,
      If you are using a different gauge (are you using the same yarn and needles as recommended in the pattern?) then yes you will have to perhaps adjust the amount of stitches you have for your size.
      The wingspan of the shawl before the stripes will be somewhere around 72 inches for the S/M size (around 10 inches more than the finished wingspan at 82 inches tip to tip).
      You could try to hold it up against yourself or a mannequin to see how the size is going as you work.
      I hope that helps and contact me via the contact form with any more questions.
      Thanks,
      Louise

      Reply

  21. Hi Louise, thanks for the pattern. In the last weeks I knitted the shawl in grey with green stripes. It’s so beautiful and warm. I took pure new wool and I had to work with 6mm needles. Finally there we’re over 400 stitches on my needles but the size was like S in your instructions. Perfect!
    Best wishes Julia

    Reply

    1. Hello Julia,
      I’m so happy that you enjoyed the pattern and that your new shawl is lovely and warm to wear!
      Happy knitting,
      Louise

      Reply

  22. Bonjour Louise,
    Je suis un peu perdue pour le nombre de pelotes!
    Pouvez-vous me préciser s’il vous plait, combien de pelotes d’alize superlana pour tricoter la plus grande taille?
    J’ai essayé de calculer mais en vain!
    Je vous remercie pour votre aide, et j’ai hâte de commencer ce joli modèle.
    Elisabeth

    21 janvier 2021

    Reply

    1. Hello Meg,
      Yes, it should be ok – but if you have a longer cable (60″) you could use that instead as you will end up with many stitches as the work grows.
      I hope that helps!
      Louise

      Reply

      1. Thank you so much for answering my question! I’ve been loving your website and tutorials and can’t wait to make some clothing inspired form Outlander!

        Reply

  24. Hi there 🙂

    My nana is making this for me and is having some difficulty. From what I understand, she is not clear on how to make the dark stripes carry on up the width of the shawl 🤷🏻‍♀️ I don’t even know if this makes sense 😂🤭 an I able to email a picture and see if you could possibly help?!

    Thank you in advance.

    Lauren 😊

    Reply

    1. Hello Lauren,
      The stripes are worked after a large section of the main color, breaking the yarn and working with the stripe color, then you would begin the main color again and break the yarn for the next stripe.
      You don’t carry the yarn up the sides or work any intarsia in this project.
      If you want more help, please use the contact form and send me a message.
      I hope that helps!
      Louise

      Reply

  25. Hi Louise after we reach our size in stitches when we continue with the pattern are we just knitting those areas the center and both ends with knitting and no increases, if yes will it be gathered in a bit of a bunch in the center .
    Thank you.

    Reply

    1. Hello Ann,
      Once you have the number of sts you need for your size on the needles – you will work in the established pattern (repeating rows 1 and 2) but change the colours for the stripes you can see in the bottom section of the shawl.
      I hope that helps!
      Louise

      Reply

  26. Hi! I’m currently working on this now and am getting closer and closer to 181 sts, but just counted and I have 74 on one end (to the marker) and 78 on the other side (from the marker to the end). Is this going to be a problem for me later on? If so, any advice on how I can fix if? I’m OK with it being a little longer on one end since I’ll probably just wear this around my house while watching Outlander anyway! LOL

    Thanks for the advice and for this pattern!

    Reply

    1. Hello Theresa,
      It sounds as though your yarn overs have grown the shawl a little on one side.
      The only way to fix it would be to frog (rip it out / pull out rows) until you have equal amounts of stitches on either side and go from there.
      If there are only a few extra stitches on one side, you could leave it and it probably won’t be that noticeable.
      I don’t think it would be a huge problem.
      I hope that helps!
      Louise

      Reply

  27. Has anyone converted this to the knitting loom? I understand how to do a garter ridge but I don’t know what to do when it says Slip Marker. Do I move it to the nearest edge, making it wider?
    I have a fleexee loom that I can continually add more pegs to so size is not a problem. Any help would be greatly appreciated as my mother and I are fans of outlander and I am obsessed with this shawl lol.

    Thanks again!

    Reply

  28. Thank you for this pattern! I’ve made a Claire cosplay already and now I’d like to try making her scarf too. The last time I knitted was in primary school, but I’m willing to try this. The yarn I bought at my local shop is 200m/100g.
    Can you tell me if there is anything I should adjust with your pattern at the beginning?

    Reply

    1. Hello Julia,
      That’s great, I hope you enjoy the pattern!
      There is a video tutorial link on how to start the shawl in the post, this may help you to get started.
      You can check the yarn quantities in the post to see if you need to adjust your yardage with the yarn you have for this project.
      I hope that helps!
      Louise

      Reply

  29. This is a really lovely pattern, I’m just knitting it up for an Outlander obsessed friend using some unbranded random yarn job lot that I found on ebay so I don’t even know what it’s made of but it’s looking good so far 😀
    I haven’t done any knitting for about 35 years but it is super easy to follow and I’m enjoying working with the bulky yarn (whatever it is!).
    Thank you so much for making this available X

    Reply

  30. Hi Louise,
    I felt in love with all Outlander pattern, because of the film. I’m so excited to start this project, thanks a lot for this pattern.
    Kisses and I keep you posted on Instagram,
    Antonela

    Reply

    1. Hello Saraaa,
      It would be difficult for you to work this shawl pattern with straight needles, as there are so many stitches, as it grows the circular needles cable takes the load and the weight.
      I hope that helps,
      Louise

      Reply

  32. Hello,
    I have started knitting this beautiful shawl however I am a little confused.
    Apparently we start with the top of the shawl. Is it normal that it has
    a round shape ? Shouldn’t it be straight?
    Thanks for your help.
    Helen

    Reply

    1. Hello Helen,
      If it looks like the shawl in the photo and in the video tutorial then yes that is correct.
      The video tutorial link is there so that will help you to start it off.
      Thanks,
      Louise

      Reply

    1. Hello Jess,
      Thank you so much for your kind words, I’m so happy you like the patterns 🙂
      Happy knitting!
      Louise

      Reply

  34. Question on “top down” – if you begin with 5 stitches, isn’t that the bottom of the piece? And binding off the largest number of stitches would be the top?

    Reply

    1. Hello Laurie,

      The cast on of 5 stitches is the neck edge and as the piece grows so does that top edge that will wrap around your neck and shoulders.

      When you cast off that is the V shape of the shawl, the bottom edge.

      I hope that helps,

      Louise

      Reply

  35. Hi! I just started knitting this shawl and I am super excited. I do have one quick question. For the color changes, when do you make the color change? I am making a size large, so is it at 241 stitches and then do the color change pattern while also knitting the increase pattern? Thank you so much for your help!

    Reply

    1. Hello Megan,

      I’m so excited to hear you’re starting the Carolina Shawl—it’s such a beautiful project!

      For the color changes, yes, you’ll want to start the color change pattern around the 241 stitches mark.

      As you increase to the full stitch count for the large size, you’ll work both the color change pattern and the increase pattern together.

      I can’t wait to see how your shawl turns out—happy knitting, and let me know if you have any more questions along the way!

      Louise

      Reply