7 Free Shawl Knitting Patterns You'll Want to Cast On

Looking for a beautiful shawl to cast on next? A knitted shawl can be one of the most satisfying projects on your needles: large enough to showcase a special yarn, but usually much less demanding than knitting a full sweater.

This collection brings together 7 free shawl knitting patterns from the Amazing Knitting archive. You'll find everything from an easy one-skein shawl and beginner-friendly lace to dramatic openwork designs for knitters who enjoy a challenge.

Most importantly, we have checked the availability of these patterns so you can start with an Amazing Knitting project guide and then follow its link to the legitimate free pattern source.

7 Beautiful Free Shawl Knitting Patterns

The seven patterns below offer very different knitting experiences. Some are relaxing stash projects, while others feature intricate lace, interesting shaping or traditional techniques.

1. Reyna Shawl

Reyna by Noora Backlund is a wonderfully practical one-skein shawl designed specifically to show off beautiful variegated sock yarn.

Instead of hiding changing colors beneath complicated stitchwork, Reyna alternates simple garter-stitch sections with airy mesh. The result is a light triangular shawl that lets hand-dyed yarn become the star of the project.

It uses approximately 380–420 yards of light fingering or sock yarn and is worked flat from the top down.

Why knit it: Choose Reyna when you have one special skein of sock yarn in your stash and want a project that makes the most of its colors.

See the Free Reyna Shawl Pattern →

2. Multnomah

Multnomah by Kate Flagg is a much-loved shawlette that combines a simple garter-stitch body with a decorative feather-and-fan style border.

The contrast makes it particularly appealing: much of the project offers relaxing knitting before the lace edging adds a more decorative finish.

Its shawlette proportions also make Multnomah useful when you want a lighter accessory rather than a large full-coverage shawl.

Why knit it: Multnomah is a lovely bridge between simple shawl knitting and lace, with enough plain knitting to keep the project relaxing.

See the Free Multnomah Pattern →

3. June Bunnies Shawl

June Bunnies Shawl by Inese Andzane is a customizable top-down triangular shawl that alternates straightforward knitting with decorative lace sections.

One of its best features is flexibility. The designer allows the knitter to work more or fewer lace repeats, making it possible to adapt the shawl to the yarn available and the finished size you prefer.

The pattern is particularly attractive for knitters beginning to explore lace because the entire shawl does not require constant concentration.

Why knit it: Choose June Bunnies if you want to learn lace shawl knitting without jumping immediately into an extremely complicated all-over lace design.

See the Free June Bunnies Shawl Pattern →

4. Begonia Swirl

For something considerably more dramatic, Begonia Swirl by Carfield Ma creates a sweeping asymmetric lace shawl with a distinctive swirling appearance.

Designed for lace-weight yarn, the shawl expands into an elegant curved shape while intricate openwork creates the visual movement that gives Begonia Swirl its name.

Blocking is an especially important part of this project because it opens the lace and reveals the final shape.

Why knit it: Begonia Swirl is the choice for knitters who want the knitting itself to be a showpiece and enjoy watching intricate lace emerge from fine yarn.

See the Free Begonia Swirl Pattern →

5. Birds Nest Shawl

Birds Nest Shawl by Athanasia Andritsou is a deep triangular lace shawl featuring beautiful Estonian-inspired details.

The pattern uses lace-weight yarn and includes the distinctive raised elements known as nupps, giving the fabric texture as well as openwork.

This is one of the more advanced choices in our collection and is particularly suited to knitters who enjoy charts and detailed lace work.

The designer currently provides the pattern free for personal, non-commercial use, so be sure to respect the usage conditions supplied with the pattern.

Why knit it: Pick Birds Nest when you are ready for a more absorbing lace project and would like to explore Estonian-inspired techniques.

See the Free Birds Nest Shawl Pattern →

6. Carol's Clever Little Shawl

Carol's Clever Little Shawl by Carol Sanders offers something quite different from the conventional top-down triangle.

The design was inspired by a historic 1800s shawl and uses sideways construction, short rows and lace to produce its distinctive crescent-like shape.

It also includes a practical front-fastening concept, making the finished piece interesting both as a knitting project and as a wearable accessory.

The original source is now archived, but the pattern continues to be documented as available free.

Why knit it: This is an excellent choice when you want to explore an unusual shawl construction with a little knitting history behind it.

See Carol's Clever Little Shawl →

7. Lacy Baktus

Lacy Baktus by Terhi Montonen is a light, triangular scarf-shawl that combines the famously simple Baktus concept with decorative eyelets.

It is worked sideways in fingering-weight yarn, gradually increasing toward the center before decreasing again toward the opposite point.

With thousands of documented projects, Lacy Baktus has become a classic small accessory project and works particularly well when you want the yarn color to remain highly visible.

Why knit it: Choose Lacy Baktus for a relatively simple, portable project with just enough lace to keep the knitting interesting.

See the Free Lacy Baktus Pattern →

Which Free Shawl Should You Knit First?

If you're having trouble choosing, think about the kind of knitting you enjoy most.

• For one special skein: Reyna
• For simple knitting plus a lace border: Multnomah
• For your first lace shawl: June Bunnies
• For dramatic lace: Begonia Swirl
• For an advanced lace challenge: Birds Nest Shawl
• For unusual historical-inspired construction: Carol's Clever Little Shawl
• For a lightweight scarf-shawl: Lacy Baktus

Choosing Yarn for a Knitted Shawl

Shawls are wonderful projects for experimenting with yarn because fit is usually more forgiving than it is in a sweater.

However, yarn weight still affects the finished size, drape and yardage. Start with the yarn weight recommended by the designer unless the pattern specifically encourages substitution.

For intricate lace, solid and gently tonal yarns often make the stitch pattern easier to see. Simpler shawls such as Reyna can be especially effective with variegated or hand-dyed yarn.

Don't Skip Blocking Your Shawl

Blocking can make an enormous difference to a finished knitted shawl, especially when lace is involved.

The fabric may look compressed while it is still on the needles. After appropriate washing and blocking, eyelets open, edges become more defined and the final shape becomes much easier to appreciate.

Always use a blocking method appropriate for your yarn's fiber content and follow the designer's finishing recommendations.

Free Pattern Availability

Amazing Knitting checks pattern availability when creating and updating our guides. The patterns in this collection were selected because a legitimate free route to the exact design was verified during our latest review.

Pattern availability can change over time. Designers retain ownership of their work and may update, move, discontinue or change the price of a pattern.

For that reason, each link above first takes you to the corresponding Amazing Knitting pattern guide. There you'll find project details, knitting tips and the current legitimate source for the complete pattern.

Read Our Pattern Availability Policy →

More Free Knitting Patterns

Finished choosing your shawl? Amazing Knitting has many more verified free projects to explore, from baby knits and blankets to quick one-skein accessories.

Explore 7 Free One-Skein Knitting Patterns →

Pattern ownership remains with the credited designers. Amazing Knitting provides independent project guides and links to legitimate pattern sources rather than reproducing copyrighted row-by-row instructions. Please check each designer's current terms before beginning a project.

June Bunnies Shawl - Free Knitting Pattern

Photo above © Mardunk

June Bunnies Shawl by Inese Andzane is a soft, customizable triangular lace shawl designed to be simple enough for knitters taking their first steps into lace.

The design alternates relaxing sections of simple knitting with decorative lace insertions, creating an elegant shawl without making every row demanding.

It is also wonderfully flexible: the designer encourages knitters to add as many or as few lace repeats as they like, making it possible to adapt the shawl to different yarns and finished sizes.

Best of all, the original June Bunnies Shawl pattern is still officially available for free.

✓ Free Pattern Availability

June Bunnies Shawl remains available as a free Ravelry download. The designer's original Silver Lining Knits blog post is also still online and identifies the shawl as a free pattern.

June Bunnies Shawl at a Glance

Pattern: June Bunnies Shawl

Designer: Inese Andzane

Published: July 2012

Original Source: Silver Lining Knits

Category: Shawl / Wrap

Shape: Triangle

Construction: Top-down, one piece

Suggested Yarn Weight: Fingering

Published Yardage Range: 400–600 yd / 366–549 m

Size: Customizable

Instructions: Charted and written

Difficulty: Suitable for adventurous lace beginners

Availability: Free Ravelry download

About the June Bunnies Shawl

June Bunnies began with the yarn.

Designer Inese Andzane explains that she had received an exceptionally soft angora, merino and nylon blend and wanted to cast on something immediately.

Because she wanted a project simple enough to knit while watching a movie, she chose a straightforward lace idea and developed it into this triangular shawl.

That relaxed origin is still reflected in the finished design.

Why Is It Called June Bunnies?

The playful name is connected to the yarn used for one of the original shawls.

The soft angora blend reminded the designer of the softness associated with bunnies, giving the project its memorable name.

A Customizable Triangle Shawl

One of the most useful features of June Bunnies is that the finished size is not rigidly fixed.

The designer describes it as a pattern that can be adjusted for different yarn weights and different shawl sizes.

You can add more lace repeats for a larger shawl or use fewer repeats for a smaller accessory.

How Much Yarn Do You Need?

The Ravelry record gives a general range of:

400–600 yards / 366–549 meters

For a full-size shawl in fingering-weight yarn, the designer suggests approximately:

400–500 yards

A finer yarn or a larger shawl may require more.

Fingering Weight Is a Natural Starting Point

Fingering weight is the primary yarn weight associated with the pattern, but the design was intentionally created to be adaptable.

That makes June Bunnies particularly appealing when you have a special skein and want a shawl pattern that does not force you into one exact finished size.

The Original Yarn Inspiration

One of the original versions used a fingering-weight blend of:

• 40% Angora
• 40% Merino
• 20% Nylon

This combination produces a soft fabric with a gentle halo.

Another version was made with a much finer merino, silk and cashmere blend, demonstrating how differently the same design can look when the fiber and yarn thickness change.

There Is No Need to Copy the Original Yarn Exactly

June Bunnies was designed with flexibility in mind.

When substituting yarn, think about the finished fabric you want rather than searching only for an exact discontinued or difficult-to-find yarn.

Consider:

• Yarn weight
• Total yardage
• Drape
• Fiber content
• Halo
• Stitch definition
• How the yarn behaves after blocking

What Needle Size Should You Use?

June Bunnies is designed to work with different yarn weights, so there is no single needle size that makes sense for every version.

Choose a needle that produces an open, attractive fabric with your selected yarn.

A small swatch is useful if you are unsure whether your yarn and needle combination gives the lace enough room to open after blocking.

Top-Down Construction

June Bunnies is a top-down triangular shawl.

The project begins with relatively few stitches and grows outward as you work.

This construction is especially convenient for a customizable shawl because you can watch the triangle develop and decide how large you want the finished piece to become.

Simple Sections Between the Lace

One of the reasons June Bunnies feels approachable is that the entire shawl is not densely covered in complicated lace.

Decorative lace insertions are separated by simpler sections, giving the knitter periods of more relaxed knitting between the patterned areas.

This creates visual rhythm in the finished shawl and makes the project easier to manage.

A Good First Lace Shawl

The designer specifically describes June Bunnies as well suited to lace beginners.

Experienced lace knitters may also enjoy it as a relaxing project that does not demand constant concentration.

If you already know the basic knit and purl stitches and are ready to practice yarn overs and decreases, this can be an appealing introduction to triangular lace-shawl construction.

Skills You May Practice

• Top-down shawl construction
• Yarn overs
• Lace decreases
• Reading a lace chart
• Following written lace directions
• Maintaining a center line
• Repeating lace motifs
• Stretchy binding off
• Blocking lace

Charted and Written Instructions

June Bunnies is particularly useful for knitters who are still learning how they prefer to follow lace.

The pattern provides both charted and written information, so you can work with the format that feels most comfortable.

Learning to compare the chart with the written instructions can also be a useful way to build chart-reading confidence.

Use a Lifeline While Learning Lace

A lifeline can save a great deal of frustration.

After completing a section you know is correct, thread a smooth contrasting yarn through the live stitches.

If you later make a mistake that requires unraveling several rows, the lifeline gives you a safe place to stop.

Count Your Stitches Regularly

Lace patterns rely on increases and decreases occurring in the correct places.

A forgotten yarn over can affect not only one row but the alignment of the following motif.

Periodic stitch counting helps you catch mistakes while they are still easy to repair.

Blocking Reveals the Lace

Do not judge the finished appearance while the shawl is still bunched together on the needles.

Appropriate blocking opens the lace, evens the stitches and allows the triangular shape to settle.

Always choose a blocking method suitable for the fiber content of your yarn.

Try a Slightly Variegated Yarn

The designer specifically suggests that June Bunnies could look lovely in a slightly variegated yarn.

Because the lace is separated by calmer sections, gentle color variation can add interest without necessarily overwhelming the stitch pattern.

For strongly variegated yarn, however, a swatch is useful to see whether the color changes compete with the lace.

Make It Smaller or Larger

One of June Bunnies' Best Features

The designer intentionally allows you to add as many or as few lace repeats as you like. This means the pattern can become a smaller shawlette or a more generous full-size shawl depending on your yarn supply and preference.

Keep Enough Yarn for the Finish

Customizable shawls create one important planning challenge: it is easy to keep knitting until very little yarn remains.

Remember that you still need enough yarn for the final lace section and bind-off.

If your yarn supply is limited, weighing the remaining yarn between sections can help you make a more informed decision about adding another repeat.

Is June Bunnies Shawl Still Free?

Yes.

June Bunnies Shawl by Inese Andzane remains officially available as a free Ravelry download.

The designer's original Silver Lining Knits blog post is also still online and continues to identify the pattern as free.

Amazing Knitting does not reproduce the designer's complete copyrighted chart or row-by-row instructions. Use the authorized pattern source below for the full directions.

Get the Free June Bunnies Shawl Pattern

The easiest current route is the official Ravelry pattern record:

Get the Free June Bunnies Shawl Pattern →

Visit the Designer's Original Post

You can also visit Inese Andzane's original Silver Lining Knits post introducing the shawl:

Visit the Original June Bunnies Shawl Post →

More Free Lace Shawls

If you enjoy June Bunnies, these verified free patterns in the Amazing Knitting archive are natural next projects:

• Begonia Swirl - Free Lace Shawl Pattern
• Birds Nest Shawl - Free Knitting Pattern
• Seascape Stole - Free Knitting Pattern
• Morning Surf Scarf - Free Knitting Pattern

Explore More Free Shawl Patterns

• Free Lace Shawl Knitting Patterns
• Triangle Shawl Knitting Patterns
• Beginner Lace Knitting Projects
• Free Shawl Knitting Patterns

Before You Cast On

Decide how large you want your June Bunnies Shawl to become and check how much yarn you have available.

The pattern's flexibility means you do not have to reproduce one exact sample size.

Choose a yarn and needle combination that creates a fabric you enjoy, keep track of your lace repeats, and leave enough yarn for the final section and bind-off.

For a first triangular lace shawl, June Bunnies offers a particularly appealing balance: enough lace to learn something new, but enough simple knitting to keep the project relaxing.

Pattern credit: June Bunnies Shawl was designed by Inese Andzane and published through Silver Lining Knits in July 2012. Amazing Knitting provides an independent project guide and does not reproduce the designer's complete copyrighted chart or knitting instructions. Please retain the existing photograph and its original credit from the old Amazing Knitting post.

Begonia Swirl - Free Pattern

Photos above © jane510 & © Sylkre

Begonia Swirl by Carfield Ma is a dramatic lace shawl with a flowing asymmetric shape and a beautiful swirling floral effect.

Designed for lace-weight yarn, the shawl gradually expands into a sweeping curved edge that makes the lace motif particularly striking after blocking.

The original pattern remains available as a free Ravelry download and has been translated into many languages.

✓ Free Pattern Availability

Begonia Swirl by Carfield Ma is currently available as a free Ravelry download. Because the designer has published pattern clarifications over time, use the current Ravelry version rather than an older copied PDF.

Begonia Swirl at a Glance

Pattern: Begonia Swirl

Designer: Carfield Ma

Published: August 2013

Category: Shawl / Wrap

Yarn Weight: Lace

Suggested Yarn: Fischer Wolle Merino Lace

Needles: US 4 / 3.5 mm

Yardage: Approx. 822 yd / 752 m

Construction: Worked flat

Shape: Asymmetric lace shawl

Instructions: Written pattern and chart

Availability: Free Ravelry download

About Begonia Swirl

Begonia Swirl was designed by Carfield Ma and first published in August 2013.

It is an asymmetric lace shawl whose expanding construction creates the distinctive swirling appearance suggested by its name.

The open lace becomes increasingly dramatic as the shawl grows, and careful blocking at the end helps reveal the full shape of the design.

A Lace-Weight Shawl

Begonia Swirl was designed for lace-weight yarn.

The suggested yarn is Fischer Wolle Merino Lace, a fine blend of merino wool and cashmere.

A fine yarn allows the openwork to remain light and helps emphasize the curved lines of the lace.

Published Yardage

The pattern lists approximately:

822 yards / 752 meters

Actual yarn use can vary with your yarn choice, tension and any modifications you make.

For a lace project, it is sensible to leave yourself some extra yarn rather than planning to use every last meter.

Needles

The suggested needle size is:

US 4 / 3.5 mm

Needle size should be treated as a starting point. Lace fabric is strongly affected by the combination of yarn, needle and blocking, so choose the needle that gives you the fabric you want.

Gauge and Shawl Knitting

Ravelry does not list a conventional gauge requirement for Begonia Swirl.

That does not mean tension is irrelevant.

A looser or tighter fabric can change the finished dimensions and the amount of yarn required, so a small lace swatch is still useful when substituting yarn.

The Swirling Lace Effect

The most distinctive feature of Begonia Swirl is the way the lace appears to sweep outward as the shawl expands.

Increases and decreases shape both the openwork and the overall form of the shawl.

This makes stitch-count accuracy particularly important. A missing increase or decrease may affect not only one lace motif but the alignment of later sections.

Use Stitch Markers

Stitch markers can make a large lace project much easier to manage.

Where appropriate, use them to identify repeating sections so that you can check smaller groups of stitches instead of recounting an entire long row.

If one section has the wrong count, investigate it immediately before continuing.

Use Lifelines

Begonia Swirl is also a good project for using lifelines.

Run a contrasting thread through a known-correct row periodically. If you later discover a serious mistake, the lifeline provides a safe point to return to.

This becomes increasingly valuable as the shawl grows and the rows contain many more stitches.

Reading the Lace

Try to understand what the increases and decreases are creating rather than treating every row as an isolated sequence of symbols.

As the motif becomes established, the knitted fabric itself can help you recognize whether the next increase or decrease is correctly positioned.

Learning to read lace this way makes it much easier to catch errors early.

Written Instructions and Charts

Ravelry identifies Begonia Swirl as having both charted and written instructions.

Some knitters find charts much easier for visualizing the developing lace, while others prefer written directions.

If both formats are available in your chosen language, use whichever makes it easiest for you to track your place accurately.

Pattern Corrections and Clarifications

Important Pattern Note

The designer has posted corrections and clarifications to Begonia Swirl over time. For this reason, download the current pattern from the designer's Ravelry page rather than relying on an old copy from another website.

Amazing Knitting intentionally does not reproduce those corrected rows here. The designer's current pattern page should remain the reference for the knitting instructions.

Available in Multiple Languages

One particularly useful feature of Begonia Swirl is the number of translations that have been contributed over the years.

Ravelry currently lists the pattern in numerous languages, including English, Danish, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Polish, Spanish and Turkish, among others.

Check the current Ravelry download options to see which language versions are presently available.

Choosing Yarn for Begonia Swirl

Lace shawls benefit from yarn with enough stitch definition to show the openwork clearly.

When choosing a substitute, consider:

• Lace-weight or a similarly fine yarn
• Good stitch definition
• Comfortable drape
• Fiber that responds well to blocking
• Enough yardage to finish without changing dye lots

Wool and wool blends are popular choices because blocking can help open the lace and establish the final shape.

Solid or Variegated Yarn?

A solid or gently tonal yarn makes it easy to see the intricate lace structure.

Gradient yarn can also work beautifully because the expanding shawl gives the changing color room to develop.

With strongly variegated yarn, make a swatch first. Very rapid color changes can sometimes compete visually with detailed lace motifs.

Worked Flat

Begonia Swirl is worked flat.

As the shawl expands, a circular needle can still be convenient because its cable can accommodate the growing number of stitches even though you are knitting back and forth rather than in the round.

The Rows Become Much Longer

One thing to expect with an expanding lace shawl is that later rows can take considerably longer than the early rows.

Do not judge your total project time from how quickly the first section grows.

As the stitch count increases, careful counting becomes more important and each completed row represents substantially more knitting.

Binding Off a Lace Shawl

The final edge of a lace shawl needs enough flexibility to open during blocking.

A bind-off that is too tight can prevent the outer edge from reaching its intended shape.

Follow the current designer instructions for the recommended finishing method rather than substituting a tight standard bind-off automatically.

Blocking Begonia Swirl

Blocking is one of the most important finishing steps for this project.

Freshly knitted lace can look compressed and the motifs may be difficult to appreciate before blocking.

After washing according to your yarn's care instructions, arrange the shawl carefully to reveal its sweeping shape and open the lace evenly.

Allow it to dry completely before removing pins or blocking wires.

Skills Used in Begonia Swirl

• Knitting and purling
• Yarn overs
• Lace increases and decreases
• Following repeating lace motifs
• Reading written lace instructions
• Reading charts
• Maintaining accurate stitch counts
• Working increasingly long rows
• Flexible lace finishing
• Blocking lace

Is Begonia Swirl Still Free?

Yes.

Begonia Swirl by Carfield Ma is currently available as a free Ravelry download.

Amazing Knitting does not reproduce Carfield Ma's complete copyrighted knitting instructions. Use the designer's Ravelry page for the current pattern and its latest corrections.

Get the Free Begonia Swirl Pattern

Visit Carfield Ma's Ravelry pattern page for the current free download:

Get the Free Begonia Swirl Pattern →

More Free Lace Shawl Patterns

If you enjoy intricate lace shawls, another verified free pattern already restored in the Amazing Knitting archive is Birds Nest Shawl by Athanasia Andritsou.

See the Free Birds Nest Shawl →

You can also explore:

• Free Lace Shawl Knitting Patterns
• Free Shawl Knitting Patterns
• More Lace Knitting Patterns

Before You Start

Download the current pattern directly from Carfield Ma's Ravelry page so that you have access to the latest corrections and clarifications.

Prepare enough lace-weight yarn, use stitch markers where helpful and consider adding regular lifelines as the shawl grows.

Most importantly, check your stitch count frequently. Correcting one lace repeat immediately is much easier than discovering the same error after several increasingly long rows.

Pattern credit: Begonia Swirl was designed by Carfield Ma and first published in 2013. The existing project photographs on this Amazing Knitting page are credited to jane510 and Sylkre. Amazing Knitting provides an independent project guide and does not reproduce the designer's complete copyrighted knitting instructions.

Birds Nest Shawl - Free Pattern

Photo above © Athanasia Andritsou

Birds Nest Shawl by Athanasia Andritsou is a beautiful deep triangular lace shawl that brings together delicate lace knitting and traditional Estonian-inspired stitches.

Designed for lace-weight yarn, the shawl features intricate texture, elegant openwork and the distinctive raised details created by nupps. Best of all, the designer still offers the pattern as a free Ravelry download.

✓ Free Pattern Availability

Birds Nest Shawl is currently available as a free download directly from the designer's Ravelry store. The designer specifies that the pattern is offered for personal, non-commercial use, so please read and respect the usage terms included with the pattern.

Birds Nest Shawl at a Glance

Pattern: Birds Nest Shawl

Designer: Athanasia Andritsou

First Published: February 2015

Craft: Knitting

Category: Shawl / Wrap

Shape: Deep triangle

Yarn Weight: Lace

Suggested Yarn: Posh Yarn Miranda Lace

Yardage: 766–875 yards / 700–800 m

Needle Size: US 2 / 2.75 mm

Notable Techniques: Estonian-inspired lace and nupps

Sizing: Modular / adjustable

Current Availability: Free Ravelry download

About the Birds Nest Shawl

Designed by Athanasia Andritsou, Birds Nest Shawl is a lace project intended for knitters who want to explore something beyond basic triangular shawl construction.

The designer describes it as a deep triangular shawl featuring some of the beautiful stitches associated with Estonian knitting, including the characteristic raised details known as nupps.

The combination of open lace and dimensional texture gives the finished shawl an intricate appearance that can look especially striking after careful blocking.

The Inspiration Behind Birds Nest

The name has a lovely connection to the designer's surroundings. Athanasia Andritsou originally introduced the design while observing the birds nesting in the trees around her home.

That natural inspiration suits the pattern particularly well: the lace has an organic appearance, with repeating motifs and textured details that create movement across the triangular fabric.

Yarn and Yardage

The original shawl was designed using Posh Yarn Miranda Lace, a luxurious lace-weight yarn.

The published yardage is approximately:

766–875 yards / 700–800 metres

The original Miranda Lace yarn combines fine fibres that produce a soft fabric with a gentle halo.

If you substitute another lace yarn, consider both stitch definition and drape. Highly textured lace details can appear quite different in a very fuzzy yarn compared with a smooth, tightly spun yarn.

Needle Size

The published needle size is:

US 2 / 2.75 mm

Treat the recommended needle size as a starting point. Lace knitters often adjust needle size depending on the yarn and the amount of openness or drape they want in the finished fabric.

A Modular Shawl

One particularly useful feature of Birds Nest Shawl is that its size is modular.

The designer also notes that gauge is not particularly important for this project. That gives the knitter more flexibility than a fitted garment, where a small gauge difference can significantly affect the final size.

Yarn quantity still matters, however. If you plan to make a larger shawl, allow additional yarn rather than relying only on the quantity used for the original project.

What Are Nupps?

Nupps are small raised decorative elements strongly associated with Estonian lace knitting.

They create tiny dimensional points within the lace rather than remaining completely flat like ordinary openwork stitches.

They can require more attention than basic yarn-over lace, particularly when several loops must be handled together. If this is your first project using nupps, practicing the technique on a small swatch before beginning the shawl can make the main project more comfortable.

Charts and Written Support

Birds Nest Shawl is primarily a chart-based lace pattern.

The designer also provides written instructions after the charts, but explains that these are intended as support for the charts rather than a complete replacement for them because the chart repeat boxes need to be taken into account.

For that reason, this pattern is best approached by a knitter who is comfortable reading knitting charts or is willing to learn how chart repeats work.

Skills That Help

Useful skills for Birds Nest Shawl include:

• Knit and purl stitches
• Working yarn overs
• Working decreases
• Reading lace charts
• Following chart repeat boxes
• Working Estonian-style lace techniques
• Making nupps
• Managing fine lace-weight yarn
• Blocking a lace shawl

Blocking the Finished Shawl

Blocking is particularly important for lace knitting.

Freshly knitted lace can look compressed because the stitches have not yet opened into their intended shapes. Careful blocking helps reveal the openwork, defines the triangular shape and allows the decorative motifs to become much easier to see.

Always follow the care instructions appropriate for the yarn you choose.

Pattern Corrections and Updates

Because Birds Nest Shawl has been available for many years, it is worth downloading the current version rather than relying on an old saved copy.

The designer uploaded a corrected version in 2018 addressing specific chart rows. Using the current Ravelry download helps ensure that you are working from the latest version provided by the designer.

Is Birds Nest Shawl Still Free?

Yes. Birds Nest Shawl is currently available as a free Ravelry download from Athanasia Andritsou.

There is an important condition: the designer states that the pattern is provided for personal, non-commercial use.

Please check the designer's complete current terms when downloading the pattern. “Free pattern” means there is no purchase price for the download; it does not mean the designer has given up copyright or usage conditions.

Get the Free Birds Nest Shawl Pattern

Download the current version directly from the designer's Ravelry listing.

Get the Free Birds Nest Shawl Pattern →

More Free Lace Shawls

If you enjoy this style of project, Amazing Knitting has more shawl and lace knitting ideas in the archive.

Explore Free Lace Shawl Patterns →

You can also browse free knitted shawls, lace knitting patterns, and triangular knitted shawls.

Before You Start

Download the latest version of the pattern first and read through the charts before casting on. If nupps are new to you, make a small practice swatch so you can become comfortable with the technique before reaching the more intricate sections of the shawl.

Also check that you have enough yarn for the size you intend to make, particularly if you plan to enlarge the modular design.

Pattern credit: Birds Nest Shawl was designed by Athanasia Andritsou. The existing project photograph on this Amazing Knitting page is credited to Athanasia Andritsou. The pattern remains the designer's copyrighted work and is currently offered free under the designer's stated personal, non-commercial usage terms. Amazing Knitting does not reproduce the designer's charts or row-by-row instructions.

Kindness KAL Shawl – Free One-Skein Lace Shawl Knitting Pattern

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.

Best Friend Lace Scarf by Krista Werbil - Pattern Guide

Photo above © Krista

Best Friend Lace Scarf by Krista Werbil is an elegant, lightweight scarf built around a delicate repeating lace motif.

Its long, narrow proportions make the lace the main attraction, while the fingering-weight yarn creates a fabric that can be wrapped, draped or worn loosely without the bulk of a heavier winter scarf.

If this beautiful scarf brought you here, this guide will help you identify the original design, understand its yarn, size and construction, and find out what happened to the original pattern.

The original digital pattern is no longer available from its former source, but you still have options. We have included verified free lace patterns later in this guide that you can knit today.

Pattern Availability

Best Friend Lace Scarf is currently discontinued. The Ravelry pattern record states that the digital pattern is no longer available online, and its original source, the knitting buzz, is listed as out of print. Amazing Knitting therefore does not link to unofficial copies or reproduce the designer's complete instructions.

Best Friend Lace Scarf at a Glance

Pattern: Best Friend Lace Scarf

Designer: Krista Werbil

Original Source: the knitting buzz

Published: November 2011

Category: Lace scarf

Yarn Weight: Fingering / 4 ply

Yardage: Approx. 440 yd / 402 m

Needles: US 6 / 4 mm

Finished Size: Approx. 7 × 86 in, or desired length

Construction: One piece, rectangular, worked flat

Instructions: Written

Current Status: Discontinued

About the Best Friend Lace Scarf

Best Friend Lace Scarf is a classic example of how a relatively simple rectangular accessory can become visually striking through stitch pattern alone.

Instead of relying on cables, colorwork or elaborate garment shaping, the design uses open lace to create movement across a long, narrow scarf.

That makes the yarn and stitch definition particularly important to the final appearance.

A Long, Elegant Lace Scarf

The published finished dimensions are approximately:

7 inches wide × 86 inches long

The pattern also allows the scarf to be worked to the desired length.

Those proportions produce a noticeably long and narrow accessory rather than a wide rectangular wrap.

Why the Length Works So Well

An 86-inch scarf gives you considerable flexibility in how it can be worn.

It can be wrapped more than once around the neck, tied loosely, or left hanging so the lace pattern remains visible along most of its length.

If you are working from a legally obtained copy and decide to change the length, remember that the amount of yarn required will change too.

Fingering-Weight Yarn

The original pattern is listed for fingering / 4-ply yarn.

Fine yarn is a natural match for this type of scarf because it allows the openwork to remain light and flexible.

A much heavier yarn would produce a substantially different fabric and could change both the width and the appearance of the lace.

How Much Yarn?

The published requirement is approximately:

440 yards / 402 meters

If you already own the original pattern, use this as a starting point and allow extra yarn if you plan to lengthen the scarf.

Needle Size

The published needle size is:

US 6 / 4 mm

Lace is often worked on needles that create a more open fabric than you might expect for the yarn weight.

The important goal is not simply matching a needle number, but producing an attractive lace fabric with comfortable drape.

Worked Flat in One Piece

Best Friend Lace Scarf is constructed as a one-piece rectangle worked flat.

This means there is no garment assembly and no complicated sleeve or neckline shaping to manage.

The challenge comes instead from maintaining the lace pattern accurately over a long project.

Why Lace Scarves Are Great Skill Builders

A rectangular scarf gives you an opportunity to concentrate on stitch technique without also worrying about garment fit.

Depending on the original lace repeat, skills commonly useful for this style of project include:

• Working yarn overs
• Making decreases
• Recognizing lace stitches
• Maintaining an accurate stitch count
• Reading written instructions
• Keeping even tension
• Blocking lace

Count Your Stitches Regularly

Lace usually relies on increases and decreases balancing one another.

Missing a yarn over or decrease may change the stitch count and cause the motif to shift.

Checking your stitch count regularly is much easier than discovering a mistake many rows later.

Learn to Read the Lace

One of the most useful skills you can develop is recognizing what the previous row is doing rather than relying only on the written instructions.

Look for the positions of yarn-over holes and decrease columns.

Once the motif becomes visually familiar, misplaced stitches are often easier to notice before they affect several rows.

Use a Lifeline

A lifeline can make a long lace project much less stressful.

After completing a repeat that you know is correct, thread a smooth contrasting strand through the live stitches.

If you later need to unravel your knitting, the lifeline provides a safe row where you can stop and recover the stitches.

Choosing a Substitute Yarn

If you already legally own the original Best Friend Lace Scarf pattern but need a different yarn, start by looking for a suitable fingering-weight substitute.

Consider:

• Yardage per skein
• Fiber content
• Stitch definition
• Drape
• Elasticity
• Behavior after blocking

The yarn does not need to be identical to the original to produce a beautiful scarf, but changing fiber characteristics can noticeably alter the finished lace.

Solid Colors Show the Lace Clearly

A solid or gently tonal yarn is often an excellent choice for a lace scarf because the stitch pattern remains easy to see.

Strongly variegated yarn can also be attractive, but rapid color changes may compete visually with a delicate lace motif.

Swatching is the easiest way to see whether your yarn and lace pattern complement each other.

Blocking Makes a Big Difference

Lace can look compressed or uneven while it is still on the needles.

Appropriate blocking helps open the yarn-over holes, straighten the edges and reveal the intended pattern.

Always use a blocking method suitable for the fiber in your chosen yarn.

Why a Scarf Makes a Thoughtful Gift

The name Best Friend Lace Scarf naturally makes this design appealing as a handmade gift.

A scarf does not require the precise body measurements of a sweater, and the long rectangular shape makes it practical to wear in several different ways.

Choosing a yarn color that suits the recipient can make a simple accessory especially personal.

What Happened to the Original Pattern?

Best Friend Lace Scarf was originally published through the knitting buzz in November 2011.

Older knitting directories may still describe it as a free pattern because that was its historical availability.

The current Ravelry record, however, marks the source as out of print and states that the digital pattern is no longer available online.

Amazing Knitting therefore no longer describes this as a currently available free pattern.

Why We Don't Reproduce the Old Instructions

A discontinued pattern does not automatically become free to copy or redistribute.

The design remains attributed to Krista Werbil, and old copies appearing elsewhere on the web do not necessarily have permission to distribute her complete instructions.

Amazing Knitting therefore provides this independent project guide instead of reconstructing or republishing the original lace pattern.

Already Have the Pattern?

If you previously downloaded or otherwise legally obtained the original Best Friend Lace Scarf pattern, you can continue using your copy. Keep the original instructions safely stored because replacing the discontinued digital pattern may now be difficult.

View the Historical Pattern Record

Ravelry still maintains the Best Friend Lace Scarf record, which is useful for confirming the designer, original specifications and browsing completed projects.

View Best Friend Lace Scarf on Ravelry →

Love This Scarf? Try These Free Lace Patterns

The original Best Friend Lace Scarf may no longer be downloadable, but you can still start a beautiful lace project today.

These free patterns have already been verified in the Amazing Knitting archive:

• Lamina Lace Scarf - Free Knitting Pattern — an elegant free lace scarf originally published by Knitty.
• Morning Surf Scarf - Free Knitting Pattern — a lightweight openwork scarf with a flowing texture.
• Seascape Stole - Free Knitting Pattern — Kieran Foley's beautiful free lace stole.
• Begonia Swirl - Free Lace Shawl Pattern — a larger lace project if you want to move from scarves into shawls.

Explore More Free Scarf Patterns

• Free Lace Scarf Knitting Patterns
• Free Scarf Knitting Patterns
• Lace Knitting Projects
• Free Shawl Knitting Patterns

Can You Still Get Best Friend Lace Scarf?

The original digital pattern is currently discontinued and no longer available from its former source.

Ravelry retains the historical pattern record, but it should not be confused with a current pattern download.

We recommend avoiding unofficial copies whose distribution rights cannot be verified.

If Krista Werbil republishes Best Friend Lace Scarf through an authorized source in the future, this page can be updated with the new link.

A Design Still Worth Remembering

A discontinued pattern can still provide useful knitting inspiration.

Best Friend Lace Scarf shows how a fine yarn, a repeating lace motif and simple rectangular construction can produce an elegant accessory without complicated garment shaping.

Study the finished projects for color and yarn inspiration, or choose one of the verified free lace patterns above and begin a new project today.

Pattern credit: Best Friend Lace Scarf was designed by Krista Werbil and published through the knitting buzz in November 2011. The original digital pattern is currently listed as discontinued. Amazing Knitting provides an independent historical and project guide and does not reproduce or distribute the designer's copyrighted knitting instructions. Please retain the existing photograph and its original credit from the old Amazing Knitting post.

Over 50 Websites to Get Free Knitting Patterns

Designed by © Knit Crush

Looking for free knitting patterns? There are thousands of legitimate patterns available online for baby clothes, sweaters, blankets, scarves, socks, hats, toys and almost every other knitting project you can imagine.

The challenge is no longer simply finding a pattern. It is finding a reliable free pattern from a legitimate source, especially when older Pinterest pins and search results may lead to discontinued pages, outdated downloads or unofficial copies.

This guide will help you find free knitting patterns more safely and efficiently, whether you are searching the Amazing Knitting archive, a designer's website, a yarn company or a large knitting-pattern database.

About This Updated Guide

This Amazing Knitting article was originally published in 2019 as a link to an external roundup of more than 50 free-pattern websites. We have expanded the page into an independent resource for finding legitimate free knitting patterns without reproducing another publisher's list.

Where Can You Find Free Knitting Patterns?

Free knitting patterns are published by many different types of websites.

Some come directly from independent designers. Others are published by yarn manufacturers, knitting magazines, craft websites or pattern databases.

The best source depends on what you are looking for, so it helps to understand the major types of free-pattern resources before beginning your search.

1. Designer Websites

One of the best places to find a knitting pattern is the designer's own website.

Independent designers frequently publish selected patterns free while selling other designs.

Going directly to the designer has several advantages. You are more likely to find the current version of the pattern, corrections, additional photographs and notes from the person who actually created it.

If a pattern has been updated since its original publication, the designer's current page is usually preferable to an old copied version circulating elsewhere.

2. Yarn Company Pattern Libraries

Major yarn companies can be excellent sources of free knitting patterns.

These companies publish patterns to demonstrate how their yarns can be used, which means their libraries often contain projects across many categories and skill levels.

You can find designs for:

• Baby sweaters and cardigans
• Baby blankets
• Adult sweaters and pullovers
• Hats
• Scarves and cowls
• Socks and slippers
• Shawls
• Home accessories
• Seasonal projects

Yarn-company libraries are especially useful because older patterns sometimes remain available long after the original printed booklet has disappeared.

3. Ravelry

Ravelry is one of the most useful resources for researching knitting patterns.

Rather than simply searching the web for a phrase such as “free baby cardigan,” you can narrow results using filters such as category, yarn weight, needle size, age, construction and availability.

Pattern records can also provide useful historical information such as the designer, publication date, suggested yarn and links to the current pattern source.

Remember that a Ravelry record does not automatically mean the pattern itself is still available. Always check the current availability shown on the pattern page.

4. Knitting Magazines and Online Publications

Online knitting magazines have published many excellent free patterns over the years.

Some older designs remain available in permanent online archives, making these publications particularly useful when searching for classic knitting projects.

These sources can also be valuable because they often preserve useful information about the designer, yarn, gauge, construction and original publication date.

5. Large Craft and Pattern Websites

Large craft websites often organize patterns by project type or skill level, which can make them useful when you are looking for inspiration rather than one particular design.

A collection might focus on beginner scarves, baby booties, knitted toys or quick gifts.

When using a roundup, however, follow the link to the original pattern source whenever possible.

6. Knitting Blogs

Knitting blogs remain another useful source of free patterns, tutorials and project inspiration.

Some bloggers are also pattern designers and publish complete original designs. Others curate projects from different designers.

The distinction matters.

When a blog is discussing somebody else's pattern, look for the designer's name and a clear link to the legitimate original source.

7. Vintage and Public-Domain Knitting Resources

Knitters interested in historical projects can also explore digitized vintage knitting books, magazines and pattern leaflets.

Older knitting publications can contain fascinating sweaters, lace, socks, mittens and household projects that differ significantly from modern designs.

However, old does not automatically mean public domain. Copyright status depends on factors including publication date, jurisdiction and publication history.

If you plan to republish rather than simply knit from a vintage pattern, verify its copyright status first.

8. Amazing Knitting

You can also browse the Amazing Knitting archive.

Our library includes hundreds of knitting discoveries covering baby clothes, blankets, sweaters, scarves, hats, socks, slippers, stitches, tutorials and other projects.

We are progressively reviewing older articles to identify original designers, verify pattern availability and direct readers toward legitimate current sources whenever possible.

Browse Free Knitting Patterns →

Free Baby Knitting Patterns

Baby projects are an excellent place to explore free patterns because there are designs for many different skill levels.

You can start with baby cardigans and sweaters:

Explore Free Baby Cardigans →

Or browse baby booties:

Explore Free Baby Booties →

And baby blankets:

Explore Free Baby Blankets →

Free Sweater and Cardigan Patterns

Sweaters range from simple first-garment projects to advanced designs involving cables, lace or colorwork.

When choosing one, pay particular attention to:

• Finished measurements
• Recommended ease
• Gauge
• Yarn weight
• Construction method
• Available sizes
• Required techniques

Explore Free Sweater Patterns →

Free Blanket Knitting Patterns

Blankets are another large category of free knitting patterns.

Depending on the design, a blanket can be a simple beginner project or an advanced combination of lace, cables, colorwork or modular knitting.

Baby blankets are particularly useful for practicing new techniques on a manageable scale.

Explore Free Blanket Patterns →

Free Scarf and Cowl Patterns

Scarves and cowls are useful projects for testing unfamiliar stitches without committing to the fit requirements of a sweater.

They are also good projects for experimenting with cables, lace, texture and unusual yarn.

Explore Free Scarf Patterns →

How to Tell Whether a Pattern Is Really Free

One of the biggest problems with older knitting links is that pattern availability changes.

A pattern that was free ten years ago may now be paid, discontinued or completely unavailable.

Before calling a pattern free, check the current original source.

Look for clear wording such as:

• Free pattern
• Free download
• Download PDF
• Pattern available free on the designer's website

If the only evidence that a pattern is free comes from an old Pinterest pin or an old roundup, verify it before downloading.

Free Web Pattern vs. Free PDF

A pattern does not need to include a downloadable PDF to be genuinely free.

Some designers publish the complete pattern as a free webpage while offering an optional printable or ad-free PDF for a fee.

In that situation, describe the availability accurately: free web version with optional paid PDF.

This is more useful than simply labeling everything “free” or “paid.”

Watch for Discontinued Patterns

Older pattern databases can contain records for designs whose original downloads have disappeared.

A historical record is useful for identifying the designer and project, but it does not necessarily provide permission to download a copied PDF from another website.

If the legitimate source is gone, look for a currently available alternative instead of using an unauthorized copy.

Avoid Suspicious Pattern Downloads

Be cautious when a website offers a designer's PDF without clearly identifying itself as the designer, publisher or an authorized distributor.

A safer route is usually:

1. Identify the exact pattern name.
2. Identify the designer.
3. Find the designer or publisher's current page.
4. Check the current availability.
5. Download or follow the pattern from that legitimate source.

Check for Pattern Corrections

Another advantage of using the current source is access to corrections and updates.

Designers sometimes discover errors after publication and issue an updated PDF or an errata notice.

An old copy saved elsewhere may not include those corrections.

Check the Yarn Before You Buy It

Older patterns frequently recommend yarns that have since been discontinued.

That does not necessarily make the pattern unusable.

Instead of searching only for the exact old yarn, compare:

• Yarn weight
• Gauge
• Fiber content
• Yardage or meterage
• Fabric characteristics

Always make a gauge swatch before committing to a substitute yarn for a fitted garment.

Start with the Project You Want to Make

Searching “free knitting patterns” can return an overwhelming number of results.

A more effective approach is to begin with a specific project:

• Free newborn cardigan knitting pattern
• Free baby booties knitting pattern
• Free cable blanket knitting pattern
• Free beginner scarf knitting pattern
• Free top-down sweater knitting pattern
• Free lace shawl knitting pattern

Then narrow your choices according to yarn weight, size and skill level.

Save the Designer's Name

When you find a pattern you love, save more than the photograph.

Record the pattern name and designer.

This makes it much easier to find the legitimate pattern again if a Pinterest pin, bookmark or old website link stops working in the future.

Our Approach at Amazing Knitting

Amazing Knitting is a curated discovery library rather than the owner of every pattern featured in its archive.

When a project belongs to another designer, our goal is to identify and credit that designer, provide useful independent information about the project and direct knitters to the legitimate pattern source.

If an old pattern that was once free has become paid or unavailable, we aim to make that clear rather than continuing to promise a free download that no longer exists.

Explore Free Knitting Patterns

Ready to find your next project? Browse the Amazing Knitting archive by project type.

• Free Baby Knitting Patterns
• Free Baby Cardigan Patterns
• Free Baby Booties Patterns
• Free Baby Blanket Patterns
• Free Sweater Knitting Patterns
• Free Scarf Knitting Patterns
• Free Hat Knitting Patterns
• Free Sock Knitting Patterns

Before Downloading a Free Pattern

Take a moment to confirm that you are using the current legitimate version.

Check the designer's name, current availability, size range, yarn requirements and whether any corrections have been published.

A few minutes of checking before casting on can prevent hours of frustration later in the project.

Editorial note: This article was originally published by Amazing Knitting in 2019 as a discovery link to a Knit Crush roundup. It has since been expanded into an original Amazing Knitting resource for finding and evaluating free knitting patterns. The original image used on this page is credited to Knit Crush.

Lily of the Valley Rosea - Knitting Pattern

Photo above © Alla Borisova

Lily-of-the-Valley-Rosea by Alla Borisova is an elaborate lace shawl with an unusual multi-part construction, delicate floral motifs and bead embellishment.

Originally published in 2016, the design combines a wide central section, side wings and separate lace edging to create a dramatic finished shawl suitable for special occasions.

The digital pattern is now discontinued and no longer available online from its original sources, so this page has been updated as a historical pattern guide rather than a download page.

Pattern Availability Update

Lily-of-the-Valley-Rosea by Alla Borisova has been discontinued. Ravelry currently states that the digital pattern is no longer available online, and its original publication sources are listed as out of print. Amazing Knitting does not host or link to unauthorized copies of the pattern.

Lily of the Valley Rosea at a Glance

Pattern: Lily-of-the-Valley-Rosea

Designer: Alla Borisova

Published: February 2016

Category: Shawl / Wrap

Yarn Weight: Cobweb, held three strands together

Suggested Yarn: Moscow Yarn Company Lidiya W

Needles: US 4 / 3.5 mm

Hook Sizes: 0.6 mm and 2.0 mm

Published Yardage: Approx. 2,381–2,406 yd / 2,177–2,200 m

Finished Size: Approx. 90 × 198 cm

Construction: Five-part shawl construction

Instructions: Charts only

Skill Level: Difficult / Advanced

Current Availability: Discontinued / no longer available online

About Lily of the Valley Rosea

Lily-of-the-Valley-Rosea was designed by Alla Borisova and first published in February 2016.

It is a large lace shawl with a highly decorative appearance, combining complex openwork with beads and an unusual structural approach.

The original pattern was available in both English and Russian.

An Unusual Five-Part Construction

One of the most distinctive features of this shawl is its construction.

According to the designer's published pattern information, the shawl consists of five main parts:

• A wide central back panel
• A knitted-on lace upper edge
• Two side wings
• A lower border

This is much more involved than a conventional triangular shawl worked continuously from one point or from the neckline.

Finished Size

The published finished size is approximately:

90 × 198 cm

The designer also notes that the final dimensions can vary depending on yarn weight, needle size and individual gauge.

Original Yarn

The pattern calls for approximately 135 grams of Lidiya Wool by Moscow Yarn Company.

This is an extremely fine 100% wool yarn listed at approximately 1,613 meters per 100 grams.

The original instructions specify working with three strands held together.

Why Three Fine Strands?

Holding several very fine strands together can create a fabric that still feels delicate while giving the knitter more control over the final thickness and drape.

It also affects yarn substitution. Matching only the label “lace” or “cobweb” is not enough; the combined fabric and finished gauge are what matter.

Published Yardage

Ravelry lists approximately:

2,381–2,406 yards / 2,177–2,200 meters

That figure reflects the very fine yarn and the large finished shawl.

Needles and Hooks

The published needle size is:

US 4 / 3.5 mm

The pattern information also lists crochet hooks in 0.6 mm and 2.0 mm.

These are associated with finishing and bead-related techniques in the original design.

Beaded Lace

Beads are an important decorative feature of Lily-of-the-Valley-Rosea.

The combination of fine lace yarn and beads gives the shawl a formal, almost ceremonial appearance that suits evening wear, weddings and other special occasions.

If working from a legitimate copy of the original pattern, organize the beads before beginning and use the hook size recommended for the specific bead-placement technique.

Charts Only

One important detail for prospective knitters is that the pattern is listed as charts only.

This means it is not a project for someone who relies exclusively on fully written row-by-row lace instructions.

You should be comfortable reading chart symbols and following complex lace repeats before attempting this design.

Chart Direction Matters

The designer notes that some charts show only right-side rows, while others show both right-side and wrong-side rows.

Because different charts follow different conventions, careful reading of the chart key and notes is essential.

Amazing Knitting does not reproduce the charts or the designer's copyrighted row instructions here.

Advanced Lace Techniques

The pattern uses a substantial range of lace techniques.

The designer's pattern information includes techniques such as:

• Knit and purl stitches
• Yarn overs
• Knitting through the back loop
• K2tog
• SSK
• Pass-slipped-stitch-over decreases
• Centered triple decreases
• Special multi-stitch manipulations

This combination explains why the design is classified as difficult.

Skill Level

The designer identifies Lily-of-the-Valley-Rosea as:

Difficult — for the advanced knitter

This is not simply because the shawl is large. The challenge comes from complex lace, several construction stages, charts, fine yarn and bead work.

The Lily-of-the-Valley Lace Motif

The central section of the shawl has an interesting historical connection.

The designer states that its central section uses the Maiglöckchen 603/115 stitch pattern by Herbert Niebling, published in Strick-Lehrbuch Burda in 1983.

“Maiglöckchen” is the German word for lily of the valley, which helps explain the floral character and name of the shawl.

Why Lifelines Are Especially Useful

With fine yarn and complicated lace, a lifeline can save a great deal of work.

Place one through a known-correct row at regular intervals, particularly before beginning a new chart or structural section.

If a later mistake requires unraveling, you then have a secure point to return to.

Use a Row Counter

A project with several charts benefits from disciplined row tracking.

Use a row counter, printed chart checklist or another reliable method rather than assuming you will remember where you stopped.

This is particularly important when a project is put aside between knitting sessions.

Check Stitch Counts Frequently

Complex lace can magnify a small error.

A missed yarn over or decrease may not become visually obvious until several rows later.

Checking counts at logical points can make errors much easier to locate and repair.

Choosing Substitute Yarn

If you already own a legitimate copy of the pattern and wish to substitute yarn, focus on the resulting fabric rather than matching only the printed yarn category.

Consider:

• Combined thickness of the held strands
• Drape
• Stitch definition
• Behavior during blocking
• Strength when carrying beads
• Total available yardage

Blocking Is Essential

Intricate lace often looks compressed directly from the needles.

Blocking allows the floral motifs to open and helps establish the final shape of the large lower border and side sections.

Follow the care requirements of your yarn and allow the shawl to dry completely while held in its intended shape.

Is Lily of the Valley Rosea Still Available?

No current authorized online copy could be verified.

Ravelry currently states: “Discontinued. This digital pattern is no longer available online.”

The listed original sources are also marked out of print.

For that reason, Amazing Knitting does not provide links to copied PDFs or unofficial archives.

View the Historical Pattern Record

Ravelry still maintains the official pattern record with the designer, yarn information, project examples and historical specifications:

View Lily of the Valley Rosea on Ravelry →

Looking for a Free Lace Shawl Instead?

If you want a complex lace project with a pattern that is currently available for free, try Begonia Swirl by Carfield Ma.

It is a different design, but it offers substantial lace knitting and its original free Ravelry download remains available.

See the Free Begonia Swirl Shawl →

Another verified free lace option in our archive is:

See the Free Birds Nest Shawl →

More Lace Shawls

• Free Lace Shawl Knitting Patterns
• Shawl Knitting Patterns
• Advanced Lace Knitting

Before You Start

Lily-of-the-Valley-Rosea is now a discontinued pattern. If you already own a legitimate copy, read through all of the charts and construction notes before beginning.

Prepare your yarn and beads in advance, use lifelines and a reliable row-tracking system, and expect the different construction stages to require careful attention.

If you do not already own the pattern, use the Ravelry page as a historical reference rather than downloading unverified copies from unknown websites.

Pattern credit: Lily-of-the-Valley-Rosea was designed by Alla Borisova and first published in 2016. The existing photograph on this Amazing Knitting page is credited to Alla Borisova. Amazing Knitting provides an independent historical pattern guide and does not reproduce the designer's copyrighted charts or complete knitting instructions.