Shipshape Shawl & Shawlette

Shipshape Shawl & Shawlette by Danielle Chalson

What Is Being Made

The Shipshape Shawl & Shawlette is a versatile, year-round knitted accessory available in two sizes. Designers and knitters can choose between a smaller shawlette or a more generous full-sized shawl, both featuring distinctive geometric angles and striped colorwork. These pieces are knit in one piece from the center outward, creating a cohesive design that works equally well as a lightweight wrap for warmer months or layered for cooler seasons.

Finished Measurements

• Shawlette: 25" [63.5 cm] width, 12½" [31.75 cm] center depth, 28¾" [73 cm] arm length
• Shawl: 36" [91.5 cm] width, 16" [40.5 cm] center depth, 33" [83.75 cm] arm length

Knitting Techniques

Shipshape employs fundamental shaping techniques to achieve its signature crisp angles and dynamic silhouette. The design uses simple increases and decreases strategically placed throughout the pattern to create the geometric structure. The piece is worked in one-piece construction, allowing knitters to build the shawl or shawlette as a unified garment rather than assembling separate components. An attached i-cord edge finishes the perimeter, providing a polished, professional appearance and reinforcing the outer edges.

Stitches Used

The primary stitch texture is nubbly garter stitch, which creates visual interest and dimension throughout the piece. This classic stitch is combined with jaunty stripes created through two-color colorwork using a main color (MC) and contrasting color (CC). The striped pattern adds movement and visual appeal while remaining accessible to intermediate-level knitters. The i-cord edging employs basic i-cord techniques to frame the finished accessory.

Materials and Yarn Requirements

Shipshape is designed for sportweight yarn, which provides a lightweight drape ideal for year-round wear. The yarn specified is approximately 360 yards per 100 grams (3.5 ounces).

• Shawlette yardage: 300 yards [275 m] of main color and 150 yards [140 m] of contrasting color for the body, plus 60 yards [50 m] of either main or contrasting color for edging
• Shawl yardage: 500 yards [460 m] of main color and 250 yards [230 m] of contrasting color for the body, plus 100 yards [95 m] of either main or contrasting color for edging

The pattern was photographed in Madelinetosh Pashmina, a luxurious blend of 75% merino, 15% silk, and additional fibers, demonstrating how premium yarns enhance the finished accessory's elegance and drape.

Difficulty Level

This pattern is rated intermediate, making it suitable for knitters with foundational skills who are ready to tackle shaping techniques, colorwork, and finishing details like attached i-cord edges.