Easy Knitted Shawl Pattern Free

If you're looking for a free knitted shawl pattern that is simple, relaxing, and easy to wear, this one is a lovely choice.

This garter stitch shawl is an older design from my pattern collection, which I'm now sharing for free, so that you can enjoy it. The shawl features eyelet rows and a pretty eyelet border to finish. The result is a soft, drapey shawl that works well for everyday wear, because it isn't bulky or heavy.

It is a great project if you want something calming to knit, without complicated stitch patterns or constant counting.

Why You’ll Love This Easy Knitted Shawl Pattern

• Simple garter stitch throughout, so it's a relaxing project.
• Easy eyelet rows that are quick to memorise.
• Works well with many different yarns.
• Ideal for quiet knitting or knitting on-the-go.

It's therefore the kind of shawl you can pick up and put down without losing your place.

Level of Difficulty and Techniques Used

Easy / Confident Beginner: You need to be comfortable with:

• Knit stitch.
• Purl stitch.
• Yarn overs.
• Knit two together.
• Starting with a garter stitch tab.

There are no charts and no complicated shaping.

Yarn Stash Ideas

This free knitted shawl pattern is perfect for using yarn from your stash. You can knit it with:

• 4 ply / fingering weight yarn for a light shawl.
• DK weight yarn for something warmer.

It also works well with:

• Hand-dyed yarn.
• Speckled or tonal yarn.
• A single special skein you have been saving.

Because the stitch pattern is simple, it lets your yarn do the talking.

How To Get Your Easy Knitted Shawl Pattern

Find the full pattern instructions written out below. You don’t need to sign up or log in because it’s free right here on the blog.

Copyright

Please read the copyright terms, which apply globally, before using or downloading your pattern:

The contents of this page, including the pattern instructions and images, are published under copyright to me ©Lynne Rowe 2025 under my brand Knit Crochet Create® and are for your own personal use only.

You are welcome to sell items made from this pattern for charity fundraising purposes, or to gift them to family and friends, but selling small numbers for profit is only allowed with permission. Please email lynne@knitcrochetcreate.com for permission.

By downloading or using this pattern, you therefore agree to these terms.

FREE Easy Knitted Shawl Pattern

Materials

• 100g (400m) skein or ball of 4ply (sock) yarn.
  • OR  5 x 20g (80m) mini skeins (use each full skein, then join the next).
• 3.75mm (US 5) long circular knitting needles - 80cm or 100cm in length.
  • You will knit in rows on the circular needles; the cord is needed to hold the stitches.
  • These larger sized needles are used with the 4ply yarn to create a soft fabric for a gentle drape.
• Wool needle.

Yarn Alternatives

• You can try a light worsted (double knitting) weight yarn instead - just make sure you have 400m of yarn, and use 4mm or 4.5mm needles. Note that your tension will differ and your shawl will also turn out larger.

Tension

Before blocking: 25 stitches and 50 rows to measure 10 x 10cm in garter stitch, using 4ply yarn and 3.75mm needles. Adjust needle size if necessary to achieve this tension. Do not cut yarn after making your tension square, instead unravel and re-use, so that you can use the full 100g skein to start your shawl.

Finished Size of Knitted Shawl

Approximately 144cm across top edge x 26cm deep, after blocking.

Abbreviations for stitches used

• K – knit.
• Kfb = knit into the front and back of st (to increase 1 st)
• K2tog = knit 2 stitches together (to decrease 1 st)
• P = purl
• RS = right side
• St(s) = stitch(es)
• WS = wrong side
• Yo = yarn over (to increase 1 st)
• [  ] = work instructions within brackets as stated
• * = repeat instructions following the asterisk, as many times as stated

Stitch Pattern Used

A simple garter stitch pattern is used within this design. It is a two-row pattern that you will repeat as instructed within the written pattern.

GARTER STITCH PATTERN

Row 1 (RS): K3, yo, K to the last 3 sts, yo, K3. (2 sts increased on this row)

Row 2 (WS): K3, [K1, yo, K1] in next st, K to last 4 sts, [K1, yo, K1] in next st, K3. (4 sts increased on this row)

EASY KNITTED SHAWL PATTERN BEGINS

The shawl begins with a garter stitch tab (a short length of knitting), because it helps create a straight edge along the top of the shawl.

• Using 3.75mm needles, cast on 3 sts.
• Rows 1-10: K all stitches. Do not turn work after Row 10.
• You now have a short, thin strip of garter stitch which has 5 ridges.
• Next you will pick up stitches along the long edge to the left of your needle and along the opposite short edge, as follows:
• K3 sts, then pick up 4 sts in between the garter stitch rows by inserting your right needle in between each garter stitch ridge (and underneath 2 strands of yarn), yo then pull a loop through to the front.
• Then pick up 2 sts along the cast-on edge in a similar way. You now have 9 sts around 3 sides of the tab.
• Set up row (WS):  K1, kfb, k5, kfb, k1. (11 sts).
• Now, continue with main shawl pattern.

MAIN SHAWL

• Knit 1 row so that RS is facing to begin shawl.
• Rows 1-48: Work Rows 1 & 2 of Garter Stitch Pattern 24 times. (155 sts)
• Row 49 (1st eyelet row): K3, yo, K2, *yo, k2tog, K6; repeat from * to the last 6 sts, yo, k2tog, K1, yo, K3. (157 sts)
• Row 50: K3, [K1, yo, K1] in next st, P to last 4 sts, [K1, yo, K1] in next st, K3. (161 sts)
• Rows 51-74: Work Rows 1 & 2 of Garter Stitch Pattern 12 times. (233 sts)
• Row 75 (2nd eyelet row): K3, yo, K2, *yo, k2tog, K4; repeat from * to the last 6 sts, yo, K2tog, K1, yo, K3. (235 sts)
• Row 76: K3, [K1, yo, K1] in next st, P to last 4 sts, [K1, yo, K1] in next st, K3. (239 sts)
• Rows 77-94: Work Rows 1 & 2 of Garter Stitch Pattern 9 times. (293 sts)
• Row 95 (3rd eyelet row): K3, yo, K3, *yo, K2tog, K2; repeat from * to the last 7 sts, yo, K2tog, K2, yo, K3. (295 sts)
• Row 96: K3, [K1, yo, K1] in next st, P to last 4 sts, [K1, yo, K1] in next st, K3. (299 sts)
• Rows 97-108: Work Rows 1 & 2 of Garter Stitch Pattern 6 times. (335 sts)

EDGE

• Row 109 (4th eyelet row): K3, yo, K2, *yo, K2tog, K1; repeat from * to the last 6 sts, yo, k2tog, K1, yo, K3. (337 sts)
• Row 110: K3, [K1, yo, K1] in next st, P to last 4 sts, [K1, yo, K1] in next st, K3. (341 sts)
• Rows 111-114: Work Rows 1 & 2 of Garter Stitch Pattern twice. (353 sts)
• Rows 115-120: Repeat Rows 109-114. (371 sts).
• Note: At this point, with additional yarn, the shawl can be lengthened by repeating Rows 109-114 as many times as required, before casting off.

CASTING OFF

• Cast off (bind off) as follows:
• Knit first 2 sts, then lift the first stitch on the right needle over the second to cast off,  
• *pass the stitch on the right needle back to the left needle, cast on 2 sts (using a two-needle cast-on) then cast off 5 sts; repeat from * to end.
• Cut yarn then fasten off.
• Finally, block your shawl to the measurements given (see FINISHED SIZE).

Download your FREE PDF here, for one week only:

• Easy Knitted Shawl Pattern

What Next?

If you enjoyed this pattern, you might also like my similar free patterns that also use garter stitch:

• Easy Knitted Cowl
• Lace Fingerless Mittens
• Easy knitted bunting

Share your makes from my Easy Knitted Shawl Pattern

If you love this pattern, then I’d love to see your finished projects! Tag me on Instagram [@knitcrochetcreate] so I can admire your colour combinations and see what you make with them.