Wild Willow - Shawl Pattern PDF

I grew up near a riverside and when I was young my friends and I would often play amongst the weeping willow trees, using their long, flowing branches as a pretend stage curtain or clambering up the sturdy trunks as far as we could. I often recall the majesty of those trees lining the river and the fun we had in those simple, carefree times. The Wild Willow shawl was inspired by the dangling, dancing branches of a willow tree swaying in the breeze.

The shawl is started at the top and begins with a relaxing stretch of smooth stockinette. From here a pretty lace pattern stems into a graceful, flowing border. Deceptively simple, the 2 repeating rows of lace stitches are worked in the same way on each row, but the pattern shifts by 1 stitch on alternate rows.

A stretchy bind off completes the shawl, allowing the lace to be pulled into picot points when blocking to create a soft wavy border.

The sample shawl was knitted with Heartspun, a beautiful eco-friendly yarn made from 70% Bluefaced Leicester Wool and 30% Tencel, a sustainable fibre made from wood-pulp which adds a lovely sheen and strength to the yarn, much like silk. The yarn is soft to the touch and a joy to knit with. To find out more about the yarn visit: https://www.woollychicdesigns.co.uk/product/heartspun-4ply-yarn/

Want to go bigger? You can easily adapt this pattern to use 2 skeins and continue the lace border. Instructions on how to adapt the shawl are given in the instructions.

Pattern Notes

Stitches used: Sl1 wyif, kyok, knit, purl, yo, k2tog, ssk

Sizes: One size

Measurements: The finished blocked item measures 65” (165cm) wingspan and 17” (43cm) depth at the longest part

Materials Used:

• 100g / 3.5oz, 459 yds / 420m 4ply / fingering weight yarn. The yarn used in the pattern is Heartspun British Eco Yarn – 70% Bluefaced Leicester Wool / 30% Tencel in the Dusty Rose colourway (dyed by Under the Olive Tree Knits)

• 1 x US size 5 (3.75mm) 32” - 40” (80 - 100cm) circular needle

• A tapestry needle for weaving in the ends

Gauge: 24 stitches and 36 rows to 4 inches / 10cm in stockinette stitch after blocking

Pattern Testimonials

“The patterns by UTOTKs are always so well-written and easy to follow. This one is no exception. I used a mostly solid red, and it came out gorgeous. I love the lace/eye lit border on the whole scarf is really special and fun to knit. This was a really beautiful design. An added bonus is the chart row-by-row stitch count (something that is always included). Totally genius” - Karen

“I found this shawl really enjoyable and interesting to knit. This is due to the mix of plain and lace stitches. Beautifully written, looking forward to knitting it again” - Nicola

“Very easy pattern to follow, a nice quick knit” - Audrey

“Once again, a beautifully laid out and easy to follow pattern. I love that you include a row/stitch count chart” - Donna