Looking for the most amazing knit shawl patterns? Check out this collection of 25 free knit shawls that will inspire you.
There’s just something about shawls. A well-made shawl is an applause-worthy accomplishment. These beautiful statement pieces are both fashionable and functional. They provide an extra layer of warmth, while also adding extra pizazz to any outfit. If you don’t know how to knit a shawl, then do yourself a favor and start your first one today!
Peruse this curated collection of stunning free knit shawl patterns to decide which one to try. There are free knit shawl patterns in all different shapes – rectangle, triangle, boomerang, and more. And there’s a broad range of difficulty to these free knit shawl patterns from total newbie, to confident beginner to intermediate.
You’ll find yourself reaching for your newly made shawl on more days than not. Beautiful handmade shawls go well with just about everything and can be worn in a multitude of ways. Casual or professional. Warm or breezy. Scarf or wrap. You decide! Which shawl journey will you embark on? Scroll down and see what catches your fancy!
25 Droolworthy and Free Shawl Knitting Patterns
This free-knit shawl pattern starts from the corner of the triangle. The lovely swaths of texture come from alternating sections of garter stitch with sections of drop stitch and yarn over eyelet lace. Slipped stitches at the beginning of rows form a delicate braid-like edging. Tiny tassels are the cherries on top of this beautiful design.
Designer: Life is Cozy
Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn Mechita (Fingering Weight #1)
Looking for an easy shawl knitting pattern? Sometimes shawls just look more finished and polished when they have a border. Don’t worry about picking up stitches; this pattern features a ribbed edging worked at the same time as the main body of the scarf. You'll be crafting your triangle from the middle using simple lacework and increasing stitches in each row.
Searching for a garter stitch shawl pattern? What better name for a boomerang-shaped shawl than “Boom!” This fun design utilizes the humble garter stitch to its fullest potential. Choose a richly colored gradient yarn and you’re well on your way to creating a stunning handmade shawl. Oh, and did I mention this free garter stitch shawl pattern has no purl stitches?
Designer: Plays with Fibre
Yarn: (Aran Weight #4)
This free knit shawl pattern is part of “The Simple Collection” - a curated selection of easy and rewarding knits specifically designed for beginners. You’ll start at the center of the triangle and increase outward using a garter stitch. Change colors as often or as little as you’d like!
Designer: Tin Can Knits
Yarn: (DK or Worsted Weight #3 or #4)
Are you searching for a unique knitted shawl pattern? I adore knitting bobbles! They are so playful and fun, and they provide this bright shawl with abundant texture and intrigue. There are actually only 4 rows in the pattern that feature bobbles, but their impact is significant. All the other rows are an easy-peasy garter stitch, and guess what? There are no purls!
Designer: Espace Tricot
Yarn: Espace Tricot Halo (DK Weight #3)
In the realm of patterns for shawls, simplicity can sometimes shine the brightest. If you're not a fan of purl stitches, you're in luck! This free knit shawl pattern is designed with just knit, knit 2-together stitches, and yarn overs. Its charm lies in its sections of elementary lace work and the use of unevenly sized stripes. Got a few half skeins lying around? This could be your ideal stash-buster shawl!
Designer: Two of Wands
Yarn: Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton (Worsted Weight #4)
Seeking a unique shawl knitting pattern inspired by nature? Delve into this butterfly-themed shawl. Colorful long gradient yarn worked in a mesh stitch alternates with solid yarn, portraying an exquisite array of wings. This free-knit shawl pattern is lightweight, making it perfect for the spring and summer seasons.
Designer: Melinda VerMeer
Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn Sock (Light Fingering Weight #0)
I’ve got three words for you: Rectangle. Chevron. Ripple. This eye-catching design really thinks outside the box of traditional free-knit shawl patterns. The undulating stitchwork, along with the delicate sections of eyelet lace is sure to make a statement. Have fun playing with different color combinations here and don’t be afraid to dip into your yarn scraps bin!
Designer: Hedgehog Fibres
Yarn: Hedgehog Fibres Sock (Fingering Weight #1)
While triangle shawl knitting patterns are quite popular, let's try something different. How about a parallelogram-shaped shawl? The drape is uniquely interesting! This free-knit shawl pattern is worked on the bias using a stockinette stitch to highlight the elongated lines. In my eyes, this wrap is the epitome of sophistication!
Designer: Espace Tricot
Yarn: Jade Sapphire Sylph (Light Fingering Weight #0)
This clever free knit shawl pattern was designed to use two different skeins of color-changing yarn. You’ll be alternating between the two colorways using garter stitch stripes. The design also calls for knit-togethers and knit front backs. You might be excited to know that there’s not a purl stitch in sight!
Designer: Yay for Yarn
Yarn: Bernat Pop (Worsted Weight #4)
When exploring free knitting patterns for shawls, consider this vibrant option that lets you play with color and texture. This pretty pink shawl can be sported bandana-style or draped gracefully over your shoulders. The pattern starts at the triangle's tip with a single-color garter stitch. From there, you transition to two-color garter stripes, concluding with some uncomplicated lacework.
Designer: Threebagsfulled
Yarn: Cascade Yarns Ultra Pima (DK Weight #3)
In the realm of knitting patterns for shawls, this one truly evokes the essence of spring! I'm completely captivated by the bright colors that mirror spring flowers in this magical shawl. The variegated hues in the yarn bring to mind a vibrant garden. Lace panels frame each color block section, ensuring a smooth transition. The remainder features a straightforward garter stitch with some uncomplicated shaping.
Designer: Design by Yarn to You
Yarn: Yarn to You Sing Merino (Fingering Weight #1)
Ever thought of painting with yarn? Dive into this knitted shawl adventure! The free pattern alternates a neutral yarn in garter stitch with a gorgeous hand-dyed variegated yarn in drop stitch. Its asymmetrical triangle design is incredibly versatile, allowing for a multitude of styling options. This knitted shawl is the ideal transition piece from winter, through spring, and into summer.
Designer: Tall Tree Designs
Yarn: Northbound Knitting Merino Silk (DK Weight #3)
When it comes to knitted shawls and wraps, this stockinette shawl stands out with its understated beauty. Boasting a generous size and dramatic drape, it embodies both simplicity and elegance. What's more, it's entirely suitable for beginners. With patience and careful attention to tension, you'll craft a stunning knitted shawl that you can wear with pride!
Designer: Purl Soho
Yarn: Purl Soho Understory (DK Weight #3)
Kids have the best remarks! The designer’s daughter commented that her new shawl resembled lettuce, and the name inevitably stuck. This sampler-style shawl offers a medley of textures, achieved through various combinations of knit stitches, purl stitches, and increases.
Designer: Solari Etc.
Yarn: Caron Cakes (Worsted Weight #4)
When exploring knitting shawl patterns, consider this one that will make you the fanciest knitter on the block. This stunning design incorporates both sparkle and beads for an exquisite touch. You’ll be using two different laceworks - beaded eyelet lace and star lace - along with a picot bind-off to recreate this look. A crochet hook comes in handy when it’s time to add the beads!
Designer: Helen Stewart
Yarn: Juno Fibre Arts Alice Sock (Fingering Weight #1)
How cool is this shawl's name? It’s actually named after the indie-dyed yarn that the pattern calls for. It’s discontinued, BUT you could totally recreate the look with your yarn scraps don’t you think? I just love this whole look! The design uses stockinette stitch along with purl stitch ridges and a picot bind off.
Designer: Gauge Dye Works
Yarn: Gauge Dye Works SHAWL: MCN (Fingering Weight #1)
Got a new Netflix show you can’t keep your eyes off of? This free-knit shawl pattern strikes the perfect balance between mindless and interesting. Which makes it perfect for multitasking with your latest TV obsession! The design calls for stockinette, garter, and mesh stitchwork.
Designer: Knit Circus
Yarn: Knit Circus Devine (DK Weight #3)
Want to try something a little more challenging? Not all free-knit shawl patterns are basic, after all! This bold intermediate design uses mosaic colorwork and Latvian braid techniques, among other things, to make the gorgeously intricate wrap you see before you!
Designer: Two of Wands
Yarn: Lion Brand Color Made Easy (Bulky Weight #5)
If you're looking for an easy shawl knitting pattern that still offers a touch of uniqueness, this is it. Elevate the classic garter stitch wrap with this innovative two-triangle design. The free-knit shawl pattern employs techniques like wrap and turn, knit with wrap, and short rows. If the orange isn't your style, fret not! The designer offers 15 other color combinations to spark your creativity!
Designer: Purl Soho
Yarn: Purl Soho Linen Quill (Fingering Weight #1)
When delving into knitted shawl patterns, consider taking a walk on the wild side with this striking piece. The shawl showcases a distinctive winged design and is worked from the outer edge towards the center. The cast on is going to be killer, but you’ll be done before you know it thanks to the generous decrease. I would love to see this in an ombre!
Designer: Teresa Yoon
Yarn: Kauni Wool 8/2 Solids (Sport Weight #3)
Knitting a shawl with Galaxy lemonade? I’ll have what she’s having! The gorgeous yarn in this design does all the hard work, so you can sit back and relax. This easy and free knit shawl pattern has no special cast-ons or bind-offs - and no changing colors. It simply works alternating sections of garter stitch and lacework.
Designer: Shannon Dunbabin
Yarn: Cascade Yarns Paradigm Shift (Worsted Weight #4)
Ideal for those who love a pop of color, I am so into the look of this fabulous wrap. It’s like wearing a classy rainbow! This pattern is a great introduction to the fade technique. The design uses a combination of garter and lace stitchwork to make this asymmetric triangle. The Picot bind-off is the icing on the cake!
Designer: Frabjous Fibers
Yarn: Wonderland Yarns & Frabjous Fibers Mary Ann (Fingering Weight #1)
Are you feeling the spring fever yet? It’s just around the corner after all! Knitted shawls like this one captivate with their bright rich hues. I love the design here. The width of the color panels is somewhere in between stripes and colorblock. Looks like it would be an awesome stash buster for all my odd half skeins. The design calls for a stockinette stitch with a garter stitch selvage.
Designer: Amy Miller
Yarn: The Plucky Knitter Primo (Fingering Weight #1)
What do you get when you delve into free scarf knitting patterns and combine gradient shades of blue with 3 different knitting stitches? This gorgeous free-knit shawl pattern, of course! Triangle shawls are my favorites, and this one certainly doesn’t disappoint! The pattern calls for the concertina stitch, stockinette, and reverse stockinette, as well as some increasing for shaping.
Designer: Fil Katia
Yarn: Katia Paint (Worsted Weight #4)
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Shawl we stop while we’re ahead so we can get to knitting? 😉 Did any of these gorgeous shawls jump out at you? There are so many talented designers out there and so many beautiful shawls. I can’t possibly include them all. But do feel free to add a link in the comments to another free knit shawl pattern that you have tried and loved!
Don’t keep all this shawl goodness to yourself – sharing is caring! Drop a link to all your knitting friends so they can join in on the fun too! Oh, and you’re definitely going to want to save this blog post to your bookmarks or to your Pinterest so you can find it again!
Also, be sure to check out this collection of 25 lace shawl knitting patterns!
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
Happy Knitting!
Amanda