Mainsail Shawl - PDF Knitting Pattern

There’s something magical about seeing a sailing boat glide through the sea, harnessing the wind to make its way quietly and gracefully across deep blue waters. The Mainsail Shawl takes its name from the largest sail on a sailing boat, the one that is attached to the main mast and is instrumental in catching the wind and guiding the boat on its way.

The shawl is asymmetric in shape and uses a colourful variegated skein of yarn with a contrasting solid colour to create a large, flowing shawl with nautical nods through the knot motif stitch pattern and deep waves of border lace.

Starting at the tip with your colourful yarn, increases and decreases work together to create a long triangular sail of stockinette stitches that will showcase the beauty of your yarn. As your skein unfurls towards the end, a contrast colour is added, weaving a sailors’ knot pattern across the shawl and tying the two colours together.

Then you are ready to set sail on a large, open sea of billowing lace! The addition of some extra stitches in the set-up row opens up the border of the shawl into a light, airy fabric that cascades and ripples in the breeze. With just a 4-row repeat pattern, the lace stitches are simple to remember and easy to work, making this a relaxing yet engaging knit.

When choosing your yarns, the first section of the pattern can take a bold, variagated colourway. Choose a contrast solid or semi-solid for the knot pattern and lace border. The sample pattern used a whole skein for the knot pattern and deep lace border but if you have yarns in your stash you could use any partial skeins for the knot and lace and make a shallower border.

The pattern is written and charted and has been professionally tech edited and test knitted prior to publication.

Stitches Used – Sl1 wyif, sl1 wyib, knit, purl, kfb, k2tog, yo, ssk, sl2tog-k1-p2sso

Sizes – One size

Measurements – The finished, blocked item has a wingspan of 108” (274cm) and a depth of 24” (61cm)

Materials

• Yarn A – Main Body – 465yd / 425m, 3.5 oz / 100g 4 ply, sock or fingering weight yarn. The yarn used in the pattern pictures is Under the Olive Tree Knits Sock yarn, 75% Superwash Merino / 25% Nylon in the Purple Veronica colourway
• Yarn B – Knot pattern and Lace Border – 465yd / 425m, 3.5 oz / 100g 4 ply, sock or fingering weight yarn. The yarn used in the pattern pictures is Under the Olive Tree Knits Sock yarn, 75% Superwash Merino / 25% Nylon in the Midnight in Paris colourway
• US size 5 (3.75mm) 40” (100cm) circular needle
• A tapestry needle for weaving in the ends

Gauge: 22 stitches and 33 rows to 4” (10cm) in stockinette stitch after blocking

Pattern Testimonials

"Yet again, Jem has come up with another wonderful shawl pattern that is soothing to knit but has just the right amount of technical sections which interest the more advanced knitter. It will suit an advanced beginner/intermediate knitter who is keen to add to their knitting skills. Blocking the shawl is a must in order that the gorgeous lace section is shown in its glorious entirety" - Mari  

"What a beautiful pattern! The body lets your variegated yarn do it’s thing, the lace adds a delicate feel to the end, and as for the knotted colourwork? Just WOW!" - Sabina  

"This was a real pleasure to knit. There was a good mix of plain knitting, colourwork, and a lace repeat that flowed really well and was easy to memorise. The shawl is lovely and big, and really shows off the yarns to their best" - Lucianne  

"This is a beautiful pattern with the use of lace, colourwork and stocking stitch sections along with contrast colours to create visual interest to the overall piece but also maintaining interest whilst knitting" - Kerry  

"This pattern gives you the opportunity to use different knitting styles and techniques, a lovely pattern to follow and knit" - Nicola