I love a big shawl, something I can really wrap up in to keep out the cold. In this tutorial we will be knitting Grain, a simple garter stitch, triangular shawl.
First up, download the free Grain shawl pattern and then away we go!
5 Steps to knitting the Grain shawl
- Materials
- Yarn
- Needles
- Construction
- Gauge
- Garter tab cast on
- Placing Markers
- Increases and the body of the shawl
- Finishing
Materials
If following a knitting pattern is new for you, check out our tutorial on how to read a knitting pattern here. You can check out how to read the materials section specifically here.
Yarn
The pattern is written for 3 weights of yarn, sock, DK, and worsted. This way you can choose the yarn that’s bets for you! Do you want a lightweight shawl for those cool summer evenings? Or something big and cozy for heading out into the snow? There’s no wrong answer, just the yarn you like! If the terms worsted and DK have you scratching your head, check out our yarn tutorial here.
Because the shawl starts in the centre and works outwards, all versions follow the same basic instructions. Pattern sample shown in Sweet Fiber Cashmere Aran in Moonstone, Chartreuse, Smoke, and Olive. Tutorial shown Brooklyn Tweed Arbor in Wreath.
Needles
The Grain shawl is knit back and forth in rows so you COULD use straight needles, but that’s a LOT of stitches so I’d recommend using a circular needle. This will allow you to more evenly distribute your stitches, and I find it makes knitting a bit more comfortable. You can use a needle between 32″ and 60″ long.
For the circumference of the needles you’ll choose one that suits your yarn.
Construction
The Grain shawl increases from just a few stitches (9 to be exact) at the centre back spine, to many, many stitches at the edge. It is worked in rows with increases every other row.
Gauge
What in the world does gauge mean, and why does it matter? Well, the basics of gauge is that if you have more of fewer stitches per inch than the pattern calls for, your shawl will turn out a little bigger or smaller than the pattern specifies. For more information on gauge check out our tutorial here.
For a sweater this is VERY important, but for a shawl it’s LESS important. I would personally just cast on, work a few inches, then measure my gauge. Then I’ll know if I like the fabric at that gauge and if my shawl will be the right size.
Now, if you’re a more diligent knitter, or more concerned that your shawl come out to the exact measurements specified, you’ll want make a swatch. Check out this post for all the details on swatching.
The garter tab cast on
The first step in the Grain shawl is the garter tab cast on. We have a detailed tutorial on how to work the garter tab cast on here, covering a couple of different methods. Choose the one that suits you best! You can also just cast on 9 stitches.
Placing Markers
In the set-up row you’ll be placing 4 markers. These will separate the edge stitches and spine stitch. This will help you remember where to put your increases as your shawl gets bigger and bigger.
These markers separate your work into 5 sections: 3 edge sts, first main section (1 stitch), centre stitch, second main section (1 stitch), and 3 edge sts. PM is the abbreviation for ‘place marker’. If you are confused about any of our pattern abbreviations, refer to our full abbreviations list here. We also have an in-depth tutorial on markers here.
When you place your markers your two main sections will only have 1 stitch in them, but those are the 2 sections that will grow as you work your shawl. The edge stitches are always 3 sts and the centre stitch is always a single stitch.
Increases
It’s time to start increasing! For this shawl we’ve specified a yarn over (yo) increase. For more details on how to work a yarn over (yo) see our tutorial here. You’ll be increasing in the two main sections, two stitches in each section every other row. Once you have worked rows 1 and 2 a few times the pattern starts to become clearer.
You can see that the edge stitches and centre stitch remain the same, while the two main sections start to grow.
That’s really all there is to it! Just keep going until you reach the desired size, or until you are almost out of yarn, leaving just enough to bind off all of your stitches. It really is the simplest of shawls.
This is just a mini shawl, but creating a larger one just means more knitting.
Finishing
Once your shawl is the desired number of stitches, or the desired size, it’s time to bind off. I like to use a regular bind off, but I use a bigger needle for a slightly stretchier bind off.
Next up is blocking. Don’t skip this step! It’s a chance to give your new knit a bath and to lay it flat to even out all of your stitches. Be careful not to block your shawl too big, garter stitch can try to stretch out, but if you use your measuring tape you can keep things under control. For more information on blocking check out our blocking tutorial here.
Make it your own
This pattern is begging to be hacked! You can work a series of chunky stripes, as we have done, hold multiple yarns together for a fun marled look, or just pick your favourite colour basic single-colour shawl.
What else is fabulous and free from Tin Can Knits?
Check out our many other the fabulous free patterns sized from baby to big, and get started making modern seamless knits for the entire family! Like our work? Get our email updates and we will let you know about new patterns, tutorials, and events.
More great Simple Collection patterns from Tin Can Knits
Barley Light
Rye Light
Maize
Wheat
Flax Light
Flax
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November 13, 2021 @ 4:39 am
Hello! I’m loving knitting this, but the band at the top is one stitch thicker on the left than the right. Is this because I am doing the yarn over the wrong place? I’m doing it on the first and last stitch between the markers.
Thankyou!
November 15, 2021 @ 4:02 am
I suspect you may be working the yarn-over in the ‘wrong’ place (but it’s not actually wrong! It’ll still make a shawl).
Row 1 (RS): k3, SM, yo, knit to marker, yo, SM, k1, SM, yo, knit to marker, yo, SM, k3 [4 sts increased]
This means that you knit three, then slip marker (no stitch), then yarn over… do stuff in the middle… then at the end, you knit to the last 3 sts, work another yarn over. So there should be 3 stitches of garter, then the yarn over, at the start and end of each right-side row.
You can keep it the same as you’ve done so far, or just move your yarn-over location over a stitch one way or the other to make them match.
April 19, 2021 @ 3:28 am
I’m excited to start this lovely shawl! I’m going through my stash of yarn and working on how to put the colours together. I love the thick stripes in yours! Your instructions for the cast on was very helpful! I’m sure I’ll be making more after mine for my daughters! Thank you!
December 29, 2020 @ 7:21 am
È possibile avere la traduzione in italiano per l’esecuzione della simple shawl. Mi piace molto. Grazie
December 31, 2020 @ 12:34 pm
Hi Maria – I’m sorry, our patterns are currently only available in English.
March 20, 2021 @ 2:41 am
Ciao Maria Rosa, faccio una traduzione per lei con piacere se lei interessa ancora. Claire
January 7, 2020 @ 3:52 am
How am I to block this when I finish? It looks like it should be half as tall as it is wide, but the dimensions given is like 23inches by 63inches, which means 1/3 as tall as wife?
January 7, 2020 @ 12:53 pm
Hi Karen – I would block it to measurements, if you are feeling precise. Get out the ol’ tape measure and when you lay it out make it 23″ by 63″. Garter stitch is pretty pliable so you don’t want to block it to a wild size.
July 2, 2019 @ 1:06 pm
I finished the first and second rows (using set up row). Directions say work rows 1 and 2. But I no longer have markets to start row 1 again. Do I add the set up row prior to every row 1? Thanks
July 4, 2019 @ 9:41 am
Hello! You need to leave your markers in the work. When you get to ‘SM’ you’ll slip the marker from the LH needle to the RH needle, leaving it in place on the needle between stitches. That way you can continue to use it as an indicator of where to increase.
April 21, 2019 @ 1:09 pm
Hi there I am so excited to knit a shawl for myself. I read in previous comment that I should keep the yarn weight the same for the whole project but can you tell me approximately how much yarn I would need to make this? Thanks so much for all your free patterns and tutorials!
April 25, 2019 @ 12:44 pm
Hi Jennifer – the yardages are on the front page of the pattern, it depends which weight of yarn you use for which yardage amount.
February 17, 2019 @ 3:01 pm
I am a beginner, beginner and very happy to work on such a pretty project. I wonder if you have a tip for keeping up with how many stitches are on each triangle at any given time. I have gotten off one stitch several times and am getting weary of counting each side every time I finish a row. Is there a trick to keep track? Thank you!
February 20, 2019 @ 12:39 pm
Hi Winnie- I don’t know if there is any trick to it really. Each RS row adds 2 sts to each triangle (one at the edge and one at the spine)
January 28, 2018 @ 2:23 pm
I’m less than 20 rows to the end of my shawl and I realized I missed a yarn over 2 rows ago…do I have to frog it or is there another a way to fix it?
February 5, 2018 @ 9:33 am
Hi Christa – It’s rather up to you, I would just keep going!
December 20, 2017 @ 4:05 pm
Hi! I was wondering if I could use one colour? I’m trying to work with yarn that I already have left over from making your Barley hat! I made Barley twice and Rye socks once last year :)
December 20, 2017 @ 11:17 pm
Hi – of course! One colour is just fine
October 24, 2017 @ 11:28 am
I am doing the shawl in 4 colors. How many rows do I do in each color to get the same effect you did?
October 26, 2017 @ 12:44 pm
Hi – Mine are not exactly the same number of rows for each colour. I just knit until I ran out of yarn.
August 1, 2017 @ 4:37 pm
I just bought the most fabulous yarn at my LYS on Sunday and I’ve been searching and searching for an easy shawl pattern as I’ve never made one before. How appropriate that I came across this one from Tin Can Knits since the first socks I ever made were the Rye Socks from you! :)
June 18, 2017 @ 6:33 am
I am thinking of doing a picot bind off. I tend to be too tight in bind offs but not with the picot. Do you think that will work? Thanks
Mary
June 19, 2017 @ 9:22 am
Hi Mary – definitely!
February 7, 2017 @ 11:57 am
I am so pumped to make this shawl! I am just doing the first row on the RS. I keep ending up with 2 stitches on my centre mark. I have re done it 5x and I don’t know what I’m doing wrong. I am SM after the YO but then when i knit in between the 2 SM I end up increasing a stitch there because of the YO right before the SM.
February 7, 2017 @ 12:28 pm
Hi Darleane
You may just want to watch carefully for a few rows and then skip the center 2 markers. If you can see where the ‘spine’ of the shawl is, you won’t actually need the markers. It sounds like your YO is just traveling a bit on you.
February 9, 2017 @ 5:56 pm
Thank you so much Alexa! I ended up figuring that out, by pure frustration and determination! Lol 😂 I love the pattern so far! It is my first shawl and so far I love it!
January 15, 2017 @ 6:30 am
THANK YOU!!! I’m actually working on someone else design at the moment…and was deeply concerned that it wasn’t working out right and couldn’t quite wrap my head around how it was going to “grow”. You just made all the worries and anxiety go poof!! Thanks you so much!! I knew if I checked out your site I’d find help and clear clear explanation of what was going on…and I did.
FYI I made my first sweaters from you patterns too. All three of my grandsons now proudly wear the FLAX pullover. Of course now I’m getting requests for more from the grown boys!!
January 7, 2017 @ 8:56 am
learned my first provisional cast on…thank you. was wondering about when to do the color change…start a new color on the right side or wrong side?
January 9, 2017 @ 10:33 am
Hi Tracey – I always start the new colour on the RS, but it doesn’t really matter with garter stitch as long as you always start a new colour on the same side (that side becomes the RS)
January 2, 2017 @ 5:43 am
A triangular shawl is what i have been yearning to learn to knit n so it feels like godsend.thank you Emily and Alexa! And more so coz it is in the Simple Collection.
June from India
December 22, 2016 @ 2:49 pm
I am so excited for this shawl. I have tons of yarn and tons of patterns – but my secret fear of knitting a shawl has kept me back. But now I can forge ahead! Thank you for the free pattern. I just made a Barley hat and my daughter loves it! I hope to make a couple more as well. Happy Holidays to all!
December 22, 2016 @ 12:54 pm
Thank you so much for this free pattern.
Merry Christmas !
December 22, 2016 @ 10:17 am
I can’t tell from the pattern whether you start with the fingering and when you change to the DK, to the Worsted to the Aran. Can you help?
December 22, 2016 @ 1:47 pm
Hi Lynn – you can knit it in any weight, but stick with one (I knit this one entirely in an Aran weight, but you could knit it in DK or in Fingering)
December 22, 2016 @ 9:52 am
Reblogged this on Teia's Pink Book of Goodness and commented:
This tutorial for a simple shawl is one of the best and the Simple Collection from TinCanKnits is one of my favorites. — happy knitting!