Big Beginner Knit Shawl – Scarf Pattern
Hi friends! It’s been a while since I posted a completely beginner friendly pattern. Of course all of my patterns are easy, but I’m talking, a first time beginner type of a project. This shawl (or scarf, depending on how you want to wear it) works up fairly quickly considering it’s size. You will use big mama needles (US Size 35) and hold two strands of yarn together to knit it up. It’s all done in the knit stitch, or garter stitch, so it’s perfect if you’re just getting started with knitting or want a completely mindless project. I changed it up a bit this time as well because I used 100% wool which I haven’t done much in the past. AND HOLY MOLY, will this shawl ever keep you warm! If you love warm, wooly wonders, this is for you! OH and don’t miss what I did with my scrap yarn that was left over. I made dryer balls (yes there’s such a thing) and have posted how I did it HERE.
The weather has been really nice here this week and I was roasting taking these pictures for the blog! It’s a perfect piece for the cold days of fall and winter as it is probably the warmest accessory that I’ve ever made. I can’t wait to don it on the chilly days that are soon to arrive. Also, I really feel like that it fits with the whole trendy “super scarf” thing right now and the color is eerily similar to the Lenny Kravitz blanket scarf I mentioned in my last pattern post. Ha!
A few other ideas for the shawl:
- Because it works up fast and is so warm, I think it would make a great piece to donate to charities.
- It would be lovely prayer shawl to give to a church or a loved one.
I love the natural tones that the Fisherman’s Wool comes in. This “Brown Heather” is such a nice earthy color and I think it would work great for both men and women’s accessories.
Shawl Notes:
You will need to know how to do the knit stitch. It’s the most basic stitch, and the first stitch that you will learn when you learn to knit. The entire shawl is done using this stitch and it creates a lofty, squishy fabric.
Measurements:
The shawl measures 52″ long and approximately 23″ wide. It stretches when worn, so I found that the 52″ length was adequate. If I were to make it 60″ long, as many shawls are, it would be slightly longer than I’d feel comfortable wearing.
Gauge is unimportant but mine was close to 1 3/4 stitches per inch
You will knit it while holding two strands of yarn together the entire time (see picture below)
You will need:
US Size 35 (19 mm) Knitting Needles
2 Skeins Lion Brand Yarn Fisherman’s Wool in Brown Heather
Scissors
Tapestry needle to weave in ends
You can also purchase the kit, which includes the yarn and pattern for the shawl from Lion Brand Yarn HERE
Big Knit Beginner Shawl Pattern:
Holding two strands of yarn together, CO 42 stitches
Knit each row until your shawl measures 52″ long ( approximately 122 rows)
Cast off and weave in ends.
Optional:
Attach tassels to two corners ( See how to make tassels HERE)
Let me know if you make one!!
You guys, seriously, I had so much fun making dryer balls with my leftover yarn from this project. Check it out HERE if you think you might like to make some too.
Thank you so much to Lion Brand for sponsoring this post! All opinions are 100% my own.
Love this shawl/scarf, how would I create this in crochet. I can’t knit. Thanks Jessica. Love your work
Hi Melanie! I would hold two together just as this pattern does and use a large crochet hook. I might crochet in the back loop to get the ribbed, lofty look. That might give you something similar – chain the width of this shawl and crochet until you reach the length you like.
Oh Thank you! That was my question too! Love your blog – thanks for sharing with us.
Hi Louise! Great – I’m glad that helped you too! You’re so welcome. I love blogging these projects and meeting visitors like you. Have a great evening!
Jessica Hello. Nice easy pattern I agree with you very easy and would make a great pray shawl , can knit while I watch grand kids great project to donate thank you for sharing o by the way this week I made your light and easy finger less gloves and two vintage knit tie headbands starting another pair of gloves tomorrow well thank you again have fun with your family
Hi Cindy! I always enjoy hearing from you. I’m so happy to hear that you like the gloves well enough to make another pair. And you must be a pro at the headbands now. Have a great night my friend.
I tried knitting years ago and learned the garter stitch. I don’t remember how to do it now but
I still have the book I learned from. Crocheting just came more naturally to me so I gave up
the idea of knitting. This just looks so great I’m tempted to give it a try.
Which style of knitting do you use…english or continental? I only did the english but a knitter suggested
that since I crochet with the yarn in my left hand the continental might be easier for me. Don’t know.
Are the big mama needles readily available at most craft stores?
Thanks for another great pattern!
Hi Laurie! I almost gave up on learning to knit because I tried to learn how from a book. Ha! With crochet, I went to YouTube and it was so much easier to see it visually. SO, I knit continental style because I found crochet to be easier and continental style seemed to make more sense to me after crocheting. I’ve been wanting to do some videos someday on how to knit and I’d show it continental style for crocheters. If you want to try knitting again, definitely look up some YouTube tutorials for continental knitting. I think you will get the hang of it! I found these needles at Michaels if I remember right and I’ve seen the same size at Joanns in the past. I’m so glad you like the pattern! You’re welcome of course!!
Jessica, I have a question for you. I want to make your Aspen Bag, I love it and I love the pattern. I have some aran wool yarn (from Ireland) given to me by a friend. Would this yarn be appropriate for the bag and the needle size?
Hi Denise! I used a super bulky yarn which is quite a bit thicker than aran yarn. If you hold maybe three strands of aran yarn together, and use the same needles it may be close. Hope this gives you a better idea of if you can make it work!
I am very interested in making this for an aunt of mine for Christmas. Also, thinkng of making it as a scarf for my uncle and psibly my brother. Ws just wondrig if I didn’t want to make it so big for scarves what is a good size to go with? Thinking about half of the uggested rows but not sure. Please help as I am a beginner knitter and the only thing i have knit is the granny dishcloth. Thanks
Hi! Cast on about 1/3 of the stitches. You can do a few rows and see if it’s looking like the width that you’d like for the scarf. Just a thought! Add or take away stitches to get it to the width you want. A typical scarf is at least 6 inches wide and may be wider.
Your work is BEAUTIFUL! This looks cozy…just curious if you have tested it with any other yarns, besides the Lion Brand Fishermans Wool? Thank you!
Thanks Kim!
I haven’t tried it with any other yarns, but it would work with any worsted weight yarn that you like. 🙂
Thank you Jessica : )
This looks beautiful! Do you think it would have a similar effect if you used a single strand of a bulky weight yarn rather than two strands of medium weight yarn?
Definitely! You can use a chunky yarn to have the same look. 🙂
I’m ordering the yarn, it really only requires two skeins for the whole shawl? I’d like to make it 60” because I’m tall and I like a long shawl.
Yes! There’s a lot of yarn in a skein of this particular yarn. Enjoy
I am not finding the fishermans wool. Is there another that I could substitute for it?
Any worsted weight yarn will work!
I am almost finished knitting thisbeautifulknit scarf shawl pattern
butafterlookingat the pattern again,ImrealizedIdidit with one strand instead of two
Isthis alright?
What can Ido with theotherskein?
skein?
Hi Vivienne,
Of course it’s alright, it just might look a little different than pictured! No worries!