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.