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Summer Shawl Knitting Pattern (Free + Easy To Knit)

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In this post, you will see a summer shawl knitting pattern that is free and easy to knit.

This hand knit shawl has a beautiful crescent shape and is perfect for summer days.

Made from cotton in different colored stripes, this shawl is a must-have!

Scroll down for the free clear instructions, or grab the ad-free printable PDF pattern. 

summer shawl

Knit A Summer Shawl

The shawl pattern is a fun project and easy for advanced beginners.

The shawl is knit in The Cotton from We Are Knitters in three colors.

Perfect to wear around your shoulders on a summer day or night.

The perfect summer project to create a beautiful shawl.

cotton summer shawl

How much yarn do you need for a shawl? 

The amount of yarn required for a shawl can vary widely depending on factors such as the size of the shawl, the weight of the yarn, and the stitch pattern used. 

Generally, a small summer season shawlette or a shoulder wrap may need around 400-600 yards (366-549 meters) of fingering weight yarn, while larger shawls could require 800 yards (732 meters) or more. 

For a simple shawl, you can even use a single skein of fingering yarn.  

Sport weight yarn typically requires slightly less yardage than fingering weight for similar-sized shawls. 

Lace patterns and openwork designs may require more yarn due to the increased yardage needed to achieve the desired coverage. 

It’s advisable to consult the specific pattern you’re using for accurate yarn requirements, as designers typically provide this information based on the size and complexity of the shawl. 

Additionally, purchasing a bit more yarn than recommended can offer peace of mind and ensure you have enough to complete your project without running out.

What are the best yarn fibers for a shawl?

When selecting yarn fibers for a shawl, considerations include drape, warmth, and ease of care. 

Sock yarn, typically made of wool blended with nylon, is an excellent choice.

Wool offers warmth and elasticity, while nylon adds durability and helps the shawl maintain its shape over time, making it ideal for garments that receive frequent wear. 

Additionally, the fine weight of sock yarn creates a lightweight fabric with a beautiful drape, perfect for shawls. 

However, it’s essential to note that wool requires extraordinary care, such as hand washing and laying flat to dry, to maintain its quality. 

Nevertheless, the luxurious feel and durability of wool blended with nylon make it a popular choice for crafting timeless and versatile shawls that will be cherished for years to come.

Cotton yarn is the perfect option for summer shawls. It creates a breathable fabric that is suitable for that day and can also keep you cozy in cool evenings.

To knit a shawl, you’ll need several craft supplies in your knitting kit. 

What are the supplies you need to knit a shawl?

Firstly, you’ll require knitting needles appropriate for the yarn weight you’ve chosen. 

Circular needles are typically preferred for shawls due to their length, but straight needles can also work, depending on the shawl’s size and construction.

Additionally, you’ll need yarn in your chosen color(s) and weight, ensuring you have enough yardage for the size and style of the shawl you’re making. 

Other essential supplies include stitch markers to keep track of pattern repeats or shaping, a tapestry needle for weaving in ends and seaming (if necessary), and scissors for cutting yarn. 

Optional supplies might include blocking mats and pins for blocking your finished shawl to achieve the desired shape and size, as well as a shawl pin or closure for styling and securing your shawl when worn. 

Overall, having these supplies ready will set you up for a successful and enjoyable shawl knitting project.

summer shawl

Garter Tab Crescent Shawl Pattern

Skill Level – Easy (Advanced Beginner)

Notes

This garter tab crescent shawl pattern is made with Pima cotton in three colors and knit on size 5 mm (US 8) straight needles.

It’s the perfect accessory for your summer days. 

The garter stitch body of the shawl makes it ideal for beginners.

The stitches used in this pattern are the knit stitch and garter stitch.

The techniques you will need to know are KYOK (knit, yarn over knit) used to increase and YO (yarn over) also to increase.

The crescent shawl is created with a garter tab cast on and then grows through a series of yarnovers on both the right side and the wrong side.

Please scroll down to view the free pattern online, or grab the inexpensive ad-free PDF in my shop here.

Copyright Info

  • Please do not copy, sell, redistribute, or republish this pattern. 
  • If you wish to share this pattern, please provide a link to the pattern page only.
  • You may sell items produced using this pattern.
  • Do NOT use the copyrighted photos for your product listing.
  • For the copyright T&C, please read my Terms of Use.
Summer shawl knit in three colors

Size Information

Gauge

14 sts in 32 rows in 10×10 cm / 4×4 inches in garter stitch.

Measurements/Sizes

  • One size
  • Width tip to tip – 80 inches
  • Length – top to bottom at the widest part – 17 inches
close up of summer shawl

The supplies you need…

Yarn

  • 1 x We Are Knitters – The Cotton in the color Lilac
  • 1 x We Are Knitters – The Cotton in the color Natural
  • 1 x We Are Knitters – The Cotton in the color Light Yellow
  • This cotton is 100% Pima Cotton/10g/3.05oz/232 yds/212m.
  • Use my code – MGM4VHHAT – for 10 off on your WAK yarn order.

Needles

Notions

summer shawl worn as a sontag shawl

Abbreviations

You can grab a free list of US and UK knitting terms here.

  • CO – cast on
  • Cont – continue
  • K – knit
  • KYOK – knit, yarn over, knit
  • PM – place marker
  • SM – slip marker
  • St(s) – stitch(es)
  • Rep – repeat
  • YO – yarn over
light summer shawl

Summer Shawl Knitting Pattern

  • Yarn A – Lilac
  • Yarn B – Natural
  • Yarn C – Lemon

With Yarn A and 5 mm (US 8) knitting needles cast on CO 3 sts.

Knit 6 rows, then turn the work 90 degrees and pick up and knit 3 sts, turn the work again and pick up and knit 3 sts along the cast-on edge. (9 sts)

Marker placement and setup (Rows 1 and 2)…

Row 1: K3, PM, YO, K3, YO, PM, K3.

Row 2: K3, SM, KYOK, K3, KYOK, SM, K3 (15 sts)

Pattern Rows (Rows 3 and 4)…

Row 3: K3, SM, YO, K to marker, YO, SM, K3.

Row 4: K3, SM, KYOK, K to one stitch before the marker, KYOK, SM, K3.

Rep rows 3 and 4 until you have knit 48 rows.

Change to Yarn B and cont in pattern work – 10 rows.

Change to yarn C and cont in pattern work – 28 rows.

Change to Yarn B and cont in pattern work – 10 rows.

Change to Yarn A and cont in pattern work – 10 rows.

Change to Yarn B and cont in pattern work – 10 rows.

Cast off.

Light cotton knitted summer shawl

Could you share your work with us?

If you enjoyed making the summer shawl, I’d love to see your own photographs on Instagram, be sure to tag me @handylittleme or #handylittleme.

I’d love to see your work!

If you are on Facebook, stop over to the Handy Little Me Knitting And Crochet Community Facebook Group, share a photo, and meet a vibrant community of real people.

You can also check out my Facebook page here.

You can also find us on Pinterest, Ravelry, and Twitter.

I’d love to see your work.

Happy Knitting!  

Bucket hat knitting pattern and summer shawl

Knitting Lessons

If you are a new knitter and need help with the knitting basics, check out these posts here and be your own knitting instructor – Knitting Lessons (With Video Tutorials)

There, you will find step-by-step tutorials for stitch patterns and all the different knitting techniques a newbie needs to know.

Including how to cast on, how to bind off, how to knit the basic knit stitches, how to knit the knit stitch, how to knit the purl stitch, the stockinette stitch, the rib stitch, the garter stitch, the mattress stitch, short rows, how to yarn over(yo), how to measure gauge, how to KFB, learn everything about lace knitting,  how to fix knitting mistakes, and a list of knitting abbreviations (UK + US terms), and more.

For an easy level knitting pattern, check out this pattern category for more recommendations, here, you will find a range of knitting patterns – Beginner Knitters

And if you need more video tutorials to help you practice your basic knitting skills, check out my YouTube channel here Handy Little Me – YouTube.

For crochet patterns, check out this category – Free Crochet Patterns 

You might also want to make matching items…

You may also want to make matching items to take with you on vacation!

View those patterns here:

Check out more shawls, including triangle shawls and circle shawls.  

From a lace shawl to a chunky winter shawl with an easy pattern repeat, there is something for everyone.

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4 Comments

  1. Hi there,
    What is the garter tab cast on?
    I am a bit confused with your terminology of KYOK, (knit, yarn over, knit), what does this mean? does it mean you knit the stitch, YO, and knit into the same stitch? (2 increases?)
    Any videos on these 2 that you are talking about..
    Thanks

    1. Hello Kathy, I don’t have a video tutorial on that stitch yet but if you go to YouTube and search for – ‘how to knit KYOK’ you will see some tutorials.
      It does mean to knit, yarn over, and knit into the same stitch.
      I hope that helps!
      Louise