Cozy Knitted Ruched Shawlette — Pattern & Step-by-Step Instructions
This knitted ruched shawlette combines gentle ruching and short-row shaping to create a lightweight, cozy wrap that drapes beautifully. The sample measures about 52" across using one skein of Homespun; the ruching gives visual interest and texture while keeping the fabric soft and wearable. Below are the materials and full instructions to reproduce this shawlette.
Flat view of the ruched shawlette showing the overall shape and gathered texture across the body.
Yarn: Homespun I received as a gift (100% Superfine Merino; 356 yards [326 meters]/?? grams); hand-dyed - 1 skein
Needles: Size US 10 needles, 16" or longer size US 8 circular needle (for length, not for circular knitting), plus a size US 11 or larger needle for your provisional cast-on
Notions: Tapestry needle
Gauge: 15 stitches = 4 inches
Using your size 11 or larger needle and the provisional cast-on technique, cast on 54 stitches. Transfer to your size 10 needles and proceed as follows:
Row 1: knit until there are four stitches left in row, k2tog, k2
Rows 2 & 4: k2, purl until there are two stitches left in row, k2
Row 3: knit
Knit rows 1 though 4 until you have 38 stitches left on your needle and you've just completed row 4 (if you have yarn to spare, you could continue these four rows longer. As is, the piece measures 52" across. Each additional time you repeat these four rows before moving on to the next set will add about 1/2" to the finished length). Anyway, when you're ready, we'll proceed as follow:
Row 1: knit until there are four stitches left in row, k2tog, k2
Rows 2: k2, purl until there are two stitches left in row, k2
Knit rows 1 & 2 until you have 5 stitches left on your needle and you've just finished row 2. Then knit the following three rows to finish this half of the design:
Close-up of the finishing section, showing the final decreases and gathered tip.
Finish Row 1: ssk, k1, k2tog
Finish Row 2: knit
Finish Row 3: k3tog
Clip tail of yarn and thread through final stitch. Pull tight. And once that part is done, it's time to transfer the stitches from the provisional cast-on to your size 10 needles and prepare to begin a right-side row. Then we're going to work some middle rows, which include short rows before and after our ruching. We also need the following notation to continue:
lifted increase (li): insert right-hand needle straight through the middle of the next stitch in the row below, and knit; then knit the stitch on your needle normally
And let's continue like so:
Middle Row 1 (right side): k5, w&t
Middle Rows 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, & 12: purl until you have two stitches left on needle, k2
Middle Row 3: k10, w&t
Middle Row 5: k15, w&t
Middle Row 7: k20, w&t
Middle Row 9: k25, w&t
Middle Row 11: k30, w&t
Middle Row 13: * li; rep from * (108 stitches)
Middle Row 14: transfer work to your size 8 needles, then purl across
Middle Rows 15, 17, 19, 21: knit
Middle Rows 16, 18, 20: purl
Middle Row 22: * k2tog *
Middle Row 23: transfer work back to your size 10 needles and then k30, w&t
Middle Rows 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, & 34: purl until you have two stitches left on needle, k2
Middle Row 25: k25, w&t
Middle Row 27: k20, w&t
Middle Row 29: k15, w&t
Middle Row 31: k10, w&t
Middle Row 33: k5, w&t
And once these 34 middle rows are done, it's time to complete the other half of the shawlette. So let's proceed like so:
Row 1: k2, ssk, knit until end of row
Rows 2 & 4: k2, purl until there are two stitches left in row, k2
Row 3: knit
Knit rows 1 - 4 until you have 38 stitches left on your needle (or however many you stopped with on the other side) and you've just finished row 4 of the pattern, and then switch to the following pattern:
Row 1: k2, ssk, knit until end of row
Row 2: k2, purl until there are two stitches left in row, k2
Knit rows 1 & 2 until you have 5 stitches left on your needle and you've just finished row 2. Then finish as you did the other side, as follows:
Finish Row 1: ssk, k1, k2tog
Finish Row 2: knit
Finish Row 3: k3tog
Clip tail of yarn and thread through final stitch. Pull tight. Tuck in ends and block.