Kindness KAL Shawl. Photo © Salamanderknits
Kindness KAL Shawl by Jaala Spiro is a free crescent shawl knitting pattern designed to make beautiful use of a single skein of fingering-weight yarn.
Combining simple shaping with sections of airy mesh and decorative lace, the shawl is especially lovely in gradient or slowly changing yarn. The original version uses approximately 435 yards (398 m) and finishes at about 18 inches deep with a 52-inch wingspan.
Kindness KAL Shawl Pattern Details
- Designer: Jaala Spiro
- Published: 2017
- Craft: Knitting
- Category: Shawl / Wrap
- Pattern availability: Free from the designer
- Shape: Crescent
- Size: One size
- Finished measurements: Approximately 18 inches deep × 52-inch wingspan
- Yarn weight: Fingering / CYC #1
- Original yarn: Knitcircus Yarns Fairy Dust
- Yardage: Approximately 435 yards (398 m)
- Needles: US 6 (4 mm) circular needle
- Gauge: 18 stitches × 30 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in blocked stockinette stitch
- Construction: Worked flat
- Features: Mesh, lace and crescent shaping
- Language: English
A Beautiful One-Skein Shawl
Kindness KAL Shawl is an excellent project when you have one special skein of fingering-weight yarn and want to turn it into something more substantial than a small accessory.
The original design uses approximately 435 yards, making a standard 100-gram skein of suitable fingering yarn a natural starting point for the project.
Gradient yarn is particularly effective because the simple sections allow changing colors to flow across the shawl while the lace adds texture and visual interest.
Crescent-Shaped Shawl Construction
Unlike a traditional triangular shawl with a pronounced center point, the original Kindness Shawl has a curved crescent shape.
The shaping is created through increases as the shawl grows, producing a wide wingspan that can wrap comfortably around the shoulders and neck.
The finished dimensions are approximately 18 inches deep and 52 inches across the wingspan.
Mesh and Lace in One Shawl
The design combines relatively open mesh sections with decorative lace.
These changing textures keep the knitting interesting without requiring complicated garment construction or multiple pieces.
The airy stitches also help a single skein create a shawl with a useful wingspan while maintaining a lightweight finished fabric.
A Lovely Pattern for Gradient Yarn
Kindness KAL Shawl has become particularly popular with knitters using gradient fingering yarn.
The broad curved shape provides plenty of space for gradual color changes to develop, while the lace sections add detail without overwhelming the yarn.
You can also knit the shawl in a solid, tonal or lightly speckled yarn if you prefer to emphasize the stitch pattern rather than color changes.
The Original Yarn
Jaala Spiro's original pattern calls for one skein of Knitcircus Yarns Fairy Dust in the colorway Peace, Love and Understanding.
The yarn is a fingering-weight blend of 75% superwash merino, 20% nylon and 5% Stellina, with approximately 435 yards per 100 grams.
The subtle sparkle of Stellina adds another dimension to the lace, but a sparkling yarn is not necessary to make the pattern successfully.
Choosing a Substitute Yarn
When substituting yarn, look for a fingering-weight yarn with enough yardage for the complete shawl.
A yarn with good stitch definition will help the lace remain visible, while a softer yarn with pleasant drape can make the finished shawl comfortable around the neck and shoulders.
If you are using a gradient skein, consider how the colors will travel through the shawl before deciding which end of the skein to begin with.
Needles and Gauge
The original pattern uses a US 6 (4 mm) 24-inch circular needle.
Although the shawl is worked flat, a circular needle is convenient because its cable can comfortably hold the increasing number of stitches as the shawl becomes wider.
The listed gauge is 18 stitches and 30 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in blocked stockinette stitch.
Why Blocking Matters
Blocking is an important finishing step for this shawl.
Lace often looks compressed or uneven while it is still on the needles. Washing and carefully blocking the finished shawl allows the mesh and lace openings to relax and become more clearly defined.
The pattern's gauge and finished measurements are based on the blocked fabric, so keep that in mind while your project is still in progress.
Skills Used in the Kindness KAL Shawl
The original pattern calls on a useful set of basic lace-knitting techniques:
- Casting on
- Knitting
- Yarn overs
- SSK decreases
- K2tog decreases
- Picking up and knitting stitches
- Working increases for crescent shaping
- Following mesh and lace stitch patterns
- Binding off
- Blocking lace
Looks More Complicated Than It Is
One of the appealing things about Kindness is the contrast between its intricate finished appearance and its relatively approachable construction.
The shaping uses straightforward increases, while familiar lace techniques such as yarn overs and decreases create the open decorative sections.
Keeping track of stitch counts and lace repeats is still important, but you don't need complicated garment construction skills to make the shawl.
Tips for Knitting the Lace Sections
When working lace, check your stitch count regularly. Finding a missed yarn over immediately is much easier than discovering it several rows later.
Stitch markers can also be useful for separating repeats if that helps you identify mistakes more quickly.
If you are using a gradient yarn, pay attention to both your lace repeat and the developing color transition so you can enjoy watching the two elements come together.
A Shawl Designed Around Kindness
The name of the pattern is an important part of its story.
Jaala Spiro created the original Kindness shawl in 2017 around the idea of kindness and generosity, and the designer continues to make the pattern available free.
The project can be knitted for yourself, given to someone who could use a little comfort, or simply enjoyed as a reminder of the idea behind the design.
Don't Confuse the Three Kindness Shawls
Jaala Spiro has published more than one pattern connected with the Kindness KAL, so similarly named designs can easily be confused.
This page is about the original 2017 Kindness KAL Shawl: the fingering-weight crescent shawl with lace edging.
It is different from Kindness is Everything, published in 2018 as a top-down triangular shawl, and Kindness KAL 2019, a later DK-weight asymmetrical shawl.
Why Knit the Kindness KAL Shawl?
This pattern brings together several features that make a satisfying shawl project: a manageable one-skein yarn requirement, crescent shaping, lace and mesh texture, and plenty of opportunity to showcase beautiful fingering-weight yarn.
It is especially attractive if you have a gradient skein of around 435 yards waiting for the right project.
And because the original pattern remains free from Jaala Spiro, you can get the complete instructions directly from the designer.
Get the Free Kindness KAL Shawl Pattern
The complete Original Kindness Shawl by Jaala Spiro is currently available as a free digital knitting pattern from the designer's official website.
Get the Free Kindness KAL Shawl Knitting Pattern
Pattern availability was checked when this article was updated. Availability on external websites may change over time.
