Shawl Shapes Series: How to Knit an Asymmetrical Shawl
🎉 Ready to knit this week’s shape, the Asymmetrical Shawl?
The Asymmetrical Shawl
Have you ever wanted to try something different with your shawl patterns? Consider the asymmetrical triangular shawl. This exciting design is fun to knit and wear. While it can be trickier to chart than symmetrical shawls, the results are stunning. In my experience as a designer, my asymmetrical shawl patterns often hit Ravelry's Hot Right Now page the quickest of all new releases (in my opinion and personal experience, at least!).
Construction Breakdown
This triangular shawl has a slanted, off-centre shape. This design gives it a dramatic drape. This design is different from traditional triangular shawls. Rather than growing evenly from a central spine, it curves toward one side as the stitches on the other side seem to disappear with each row...
Symmetrical vs. Asymmetrical Shawls:
Symmetrical Shawls: Even growth from a central spine; great for classic designs.
Asymmetrical Shawls: Slanted growth; ideal for modern, stylish knits.
The number of stitches you cast on at the start will affect how pointy the shawl's tip is. Fewer stitches create a sharper tip, while more stitches give a softer curve.
Key Features of the Asymmetrical Shawl
No Decrease Rows Needed: The bias shaping in this shawl comes from increases and planned decreases on the wrong-side rows.
Follow The Increases: The shawl's curve depends on where you place the increases. If you work them at the start of a right-side row, the shawl will slant to the right. If you place them at the end, it will slant to the left.
Two-Row Rhythm: The increase on the right-side row adds one stitch. On the wrong-side row, the increase and decrease balance out the stitch count. However, they still shape the shawl’s bias, giving it a familiar slant.
Why Knit an Asymmetrical Shawl?
The asymmetrical triangular shawl is perfect for knitters wanting a fresh, modern project. Its unique shape and build make it stand out.
The dramatic swoop! can change an outfit, making it both a craft and a fashion statement.
It's a great way to show off variegated or gradient yarns. The slanted shape highlights the colour transitions beautifully.
Shape Instructions
Cast on 5 sts.
Tip Shape: The number of stitches affects the tip's sharpness. For a sharper tip, cast on fewer stitches (3-4). For a softer, flatter curve, cast on more (6-8).
Curving to the Right
To curve your shawl to the right, follow these two rows:
Row 1 (RS): Slip 1 stitch with yarn in back (wyib), knit front and back in one stitch (kfb), knit to the end. (1 stitch increased)
Row 2 (WS): Slip 1 stitch with yarn in front (wyif), purl 2 together (p2tog), purl to the last two stitches, purl front and back in one stitch (pfb), purl 1.
Repeat Rows 1 and 2 until the shawl reaches your desired depth. Bind off.
Curving to the Left
To make the shawl lean left, use these two rows:
Row 1 (RS): Knit to the last stitch, knit front and back in one stitch (yo), slip 1 stitch with yarn in back.
Row 2 (WS): Purl 1, purl front and back (pfb), purl to the last 3 stitches, purl 2 together through the back loop (p2tog tbl), slip 1 stitch with yarn in front (wyif).
Continue with these two rows. Keep the shaping consistent until the shawl reaches your desired length, then bind off.
Crescent Shawl Knitting Patterns for You to Try
