If you think shawls are old-fashioned – think again! These lace shawl knitting patterns are fabulously fresh and modern. Throw one around your shoulders on the way out the door to instantly upgrade any outfit!
Getting ready for a date night? Any one of these beautiful lace shawl knitting patterns would add an extra special touch to your date night attire. You’ll feel like a movie star with one draped around your shoulders. Whether you’re going out for drinks, dinner or dancing, you’ll be the star of the show.
How about spending a day at the beach? These fabulous lace shawl knitting patterns can handle their own in casual settings too. A lightweight wrap can ward off the chill on windy days. Or tie one around your waist for a quick and cute beach cover-up. Such versatility!
Dress them up or dress them down, these lace shawl knitting patterns are here to slay! We’ve got an amazing selection for you to choose from today, so prepare to get inspired. There are rectangular lace shawl knitting patterns, triangular lace shawl knitting patterns, monochrome lace shawl knitting patterns, multicolored lace shawl knitting patterns and plenty more lace shawl knitting patterns in between. Scroll down and see for yourself!
Tips for Knitting Lace Shawls
The first tip every article will tell you to help with lace knitting is to use pointed needles. There are many out there, such as the Addi Lace that are very pointed at the tip to help with lace knitting. The pointed tips will really help with the decreases you have to work in lace knitting.
Next, get to know your chart inside and out. Go over the legend and make sure you know all the abbreviations. It can also be helpful to color code your chart or use a sticky note to keep track of where you are (if you have a printed pattern). You might need to enlarge the chart if it is printed very small, and it might also be helpful to invest in a magnet board, such as this one from Knit Picks.
Use stitch markers to keep track of row repeats and it can also be very helpful to use a lifeline! These can really save your project as lace knitting isn’t easy to frog with all the increases and decreases. Placing a lifeline every few inches can really save you if you have to rip back.
Finally, it would be a good idea to invest in blocking wires. For most projects I block on a flat board, but shawls are a much different story, and a lace shawl is going to look a thousand times better after blocking, trust me. If you are taking the time to knit a lace shawl, you will want to take the time to block it properly. You can thank me later.
25 Stunning Lace Shawl Knitting Patterns
1. Estuary
Think outside the box with a lace shawl knitting pattern that doesn’t fall into the traditional shape categories. This design isn’t rectangular, triangular or anything you might be familiar with. The wavy lace design imparts its gentle undulations to the edges so you get this beautifully soft squiggle shape with long tapered ends perfect for tying.
Designer: Tin Can Knits
Yarn: Dream in Color Smooshy (Fingering Weight #1)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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2. Pine Lake Shawl
If you find fingering weights to be too fussy to work with, then try your hand at one of our worsted weight lace shawl knitting patterns. You’ll be done in half the time and you don’t have to whip out your microscopic needles. I love the way this asymmetrical triangle shawl design fades from one color to the next in beautiful earth tones.
Designer: Jaala Spiro for Knitcircus
Yarn: KnitCircus Ringmaster (Worsted Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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3. Point the Way
Life is too short to buy cheap yarn! To do these fabulous lace shawl knitting patterns justice, you really need to get a good quality yarn. It will make your final project look even more beautiful! Case in point – this captivating design worked on the bias in garter stitch stripes. It just wouldn’t be the same without that gorgeous yarn!
Designer: DROPS Design
Yarn: Garnstudio DROPS Fabel (Fingering Weight #1)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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4. Wild at Heart
Crazy colored sock yarn is just the thing to make your fashion statement shawl dreams a reality. Lace shawl knitting patterns are an excellent way to show off your creativity and add some color into your wardrobe. This design is shaped like an asymmetric triangle. It uses only one skein of sock yarn and calls for garter stitch and eyelet lace.
Designer: Meghan Macko Design
Yarn: Spun Right Round Superwash Sock (Fingering Weight #1)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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5. Solar Flares
I love the color orange for summer because it reminds me of nice sunny days! Any of these lace shawl knitting patterns would be perfect for a beach day accessory. Tie it around your waist or throw it over your shoulders to cover up. This half circle design is worked with garter stitch, eyelet lace and a fabulous variegated yarn.
Designer: DROPS Design
Yarn: Garnstudio DROPS Fabel (Fingering Weight #1)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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6. Feather and Fan Shawl
The feather and fan stitch is an excellent addition to your knitting knowledge. It’s a classic knitting stitch pattern that isn’t too tricky and gives rave results. It looks especially fabulous in this rectangular shawl design. The other half of the gorgeousness equation here is the color changing yarn. Plus, it only takes one skein!
Designer: Elena Malo for Lion Brand
Yarn: Lion Brand Shawl in a Ball (Aran Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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7. Terrace Wrap
Some of these lace shawl knitting patterns can teach you new skills! For instance, this design uses the dutch knitting stitch. The simple rectangular shape and reversible stitchwork make this piece versatile and easy to style. The pattern uses the garden trellis stitch to achieve a neat geometric lace effect.
Designer: Purl Soho
Yarn: Purl Soho Cattail Silk (Fingering Weight #1)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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8. Ludisia
Combine your passion for knitting with your passion for the planet. This gorgeous shawl design is worked with botanically dyed yarn. The rich colors and subtle ombre effect really take this lace shawl knitting pattern to the next level. The design features a ribbed lace stitch pattern.
Designer: Christina Danaee
Yarn: Echoview Fiber Mill (Fingering Weight #1)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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9. Seascape Stole
Transport yourself to a vacation on the beach with the lovely and lightweight Seascape Stole. With it’s sheer finish and decorative lacework, this lace shawl knitting pattern is definitely date night material! It’s hard to believe that this rectangular shawl design is made with plain old yarn over lace.
Designer: Kieran Foley for Knitty
Yarn: Rowan Kidsilk Haze (Lace Weight #0)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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10. Pebble and Beach Shawl
I love the soft curves of crescent shaped lace shawl knitting patterns. The Pebble and Beach Shawl is so elegant and yet so simple! The majority of the pattern is worked in stockinette stitch, so don’t be afraid to reach for a heathered or variegated yarn. This design will really highlight the subtle color changes! Finish it off with lace edging made with yarn overs and knit 2 togethers.
Designer: Jem Arrowsmith
Yarn: Under the Olive Tree Milia Merino (DK Weight #3)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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11. Botanical Lace Wrap
The Botanical Lace Wrap is a wide rectangle made in the beautiful and lightweight Spanish lace stitch, a.k.a. frost flowers stitch. This versatile piece can be worn as a shawl or a scarf. The intricate design really shines with a high quality yarn. This is one lace shawl knitting pattern that is sure to become a staple in your closet!
Designer: Purl Soho
Yarn: Purl Soho Sweetgrass Fine (Lace Weight #0)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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12. Little Moons Lace Wrap
Diagonal lines breathe new life and interest into the traditional rectangle shawl. The milanese lace knitting technique is especially striking. This intricate stitch would likely get lost in a variegated yarn, so a neutral monochrome is a must here. It just goes to show that solid color lace shawl knitting patterns can be just as beautiful as multicolored ones!
Designer: Purl Soho
Yarn: Purl Soho Burnish (Fingering Weight #1)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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13. Super Eyelet Shawl
Circular needles aren’t just for knitting in the round! Sometimes you need the extra cable space to accommodate a large number of stitches like with the Super Eyelet Shawl. Since the design is worked in back and forth rows using only garter stitch and easy eyelet lace, it’s a great choice for beginner knitters.
Designer: The Wooly Brew
Yarn: Louisa Harding Yarns Noema (DK Weight #3)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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14. Te Manawakura Shawl
Pastel colors are perfect for spring knitting projects. Lavender is especially flitting for all the May flowers that are popping up right now! This design incorporates those spring blooms in the form of floral cable motifs and bobble stitch flower buds. There are also sections of garter stitch, which seems to be a common theme in our lace shawl knitting patterns today!
Designer: Aroha Knits
Yarn: Big Bad Yarn Soft (Fingering Weight #1)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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15. Asymmetrical Lace Shawl
You can have your cake and eat it too with the versatile Asymmetrical Lace Shawl. First you start off with simple garter stitch for a nice and easy knit. Then you finish off with an easy lace border for a lovely decorative touch that really adds a lot of style. It just goes to show that lace shawl knitting patterns can be easier than they seem!
Designer: Yarnspirations
Yarn: Caron One Pound (Aran Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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16. The Kohi Shawl
You’ve never seen the classic waves of wheat stitch look quite like this before! Bright greens and blues make me think of the tropics. What a perfect lace shawl knitting pattern for summer! The design calls for knit, purl, knit 2 together, slip slip knit and knit front back stitches. It’s much easier than it looks!
Designer: Pineapple Bird Knits
Yarn: Knit Picks Galileo (Sport Weight #3)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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17. Lattice Sampler Shawl
Easy stretches of garter stitch take turns with swaths of lattice lace in the delightful dance of the Lattice Sampler Shawl. Double garter stitch ridges border each different section of stitches to keep things more defined. While some lace shawl knitting patterns are almost too gauzy to be functional, this one strikes a nice balance between warm and lightweight.
Designer: Jennifer Weissman
Yarn: Cascade Yarns ® Cascade 220® (Fingering Weight #1)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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18. Knit It Like You Stole It
A rectangular shawl worked on the bias gives you the same lovely pointed ends as a triangle shawl but with less work! This design mixes 5 colors of yarn beautifully using simple lacework and gradual color changes. I love when lace shawl knitting patterns are both simple and stunning!
Designer: Mac and Joe
Yarn: Baah Yarn La Jolla (Fingering Weight #1)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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19. Diffusion Shawl
Excuse me while I “ooh” and “aah” over all the pretty colors and designs here. Don’t you just love lace shawl knitting patterns that are done in the stitch sampler style? This asymmetric triangle shawl is worked from side to side in garter stitch and all different kinds of lacework.
Designer: Tetiana Otruta
Yarn: Knit Picks Hawthorne (Fingering Weight #1)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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20. Playground Shawl
What’s a mum to do when the kids are busy at the playground? Make one of these amazing lace shawl knitting patterns of course! This triangle shawl is worked on the bias using a self-striping yarn made specifically for shawls. The stitch pattern is easy to memorize, which makes for a very nice and relaxing knit.
Designer: Justyna Knits
Yarn: Gauge Dye Works SHAWL: MCN (Fingering Weight #1)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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21. Distinction
Here’s a hot tip: if you are looking to make a piece with high contrast color changes like this one, take a pic of your yarn choices and apply a black and white filter. If you can’t tell the different colors apart, then you need more contrast! This vibrant design calls for seed stitch and easy lacework.
Designer: Caitlin ffrench
Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn Mecha (Bulky Weight #5)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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22. Palette Shawl
There are lace shawl knitting patterns shaped like triangles, rectangles, and… parallelograms! The sassy slanted square shape is here to slay and it gives this piece a very unique drape. Click the link to see the whole fabulous photoshoot! The design is totally beginner friendly and features an easy 2 row repeat.
Designer: Expression Fiber Arts
Yarn: Expression Fiber Arts Sparkle (DK Weight #3)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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23. Shawl of Solitaire
Some lace shawl knitting patterns are more casual and some are just glamorous! This stunning design is definitely the latter. The design is a nice balance between super easy and overly complicated. It’s just right for holding your interest – and it gives you a fabulous excuse to get all dressed up too!
Designer: Pattern Duchess
Yarn: Garnstudio DROPS Baby Merino (Fingering Weight #1)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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24. Warming Hearts Sofa Shawl
I’ve never heard of a sofa shawl before, but now I really want one! She looks so snuggly and I love the brushed effect from the yarn. Of course, the best part of this lace shawl knitting pattern is the braided lace heart design. AFter you make one for yourself, you might want to consider making another to give away. What a great knitting gift idea!
Designer: Lisa Gentry for Yarnspirations
Yarn: Red Heart Dreamy Yarn ( Weight #)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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25. Speckle Shawl
Show off that speckled yarn you’ve been saving with this adorable design. This is another one of our lace shawl knitting patterns that is perfect for beginners. You’ll be working sections of garter stitch interspersed with single rows of eyelets. Some simple shaping is also needed to make the unique curved triangle shape.
Designer: Undeniable Glitter
Yarn: Knit Picks Hawthorne Fingering Speckle (Weight #1)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Ready to jump on the bandwagon for these fabulous lace shawl knitting patterns? I’d love to hear about your favorites in the comments below – whether they’re part of this amazing list or other patterns that you have tried and loved in the past. Please also feel free to spill the tea on your best shawl knitting tips and tricks for the newbies. We were all there at one point!
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I’ll see you next week for another free knitting pattern round-up. Make sure to follow the blog so you never miss a post. <3 Check out all my free knitting patterns here!
Happy Knitting!
Amanda
