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Sit by the bay as the fishermen set up their nets and you watch boats pull in and out of the marina. That’s the inspiration for Hugs by the Bay, a shawl that grows quickly using DK-weight yarn, becoming large enough to wrap around yourself in a warm hug.

Simple construction: The shawl starts by casting on just a few stitches and grows from there; it does not require a garter tab cast-on or picking up stitches.

Detailed, easy to follow instructions: The stitch patterns have short repeats so that they are easy to follow and memorize, and the pattern includes close-up photos of each stitch.
Stitch counts are provided throughout so you can make sure you are on track at any point.
… with helpful tips: The pattern includes instructions for corrected a missed yarn over (we all make mistakes!), links for fixing a dropped edge stitch, and links for using lifelines, which make it much easier to go back and fix your knitting, if necessary.

This pattern has been tech edited and test knitted to give you a smooth, error-free knitting experience.

Shape: Hugs by the Bay is a triangle shape, but with gently curved ends that make it easy to wrap around yourself.

Size: As written, the shawl will have a long edge approximately 128”/320 cm; short edge approximately 56”/140 cm; and approximately 26”/65 cm drop (distance from center of short edge to the point). The pattern includes options to make a smaller shawl.

Yarn: Approximately 600 - 700yards/550 - 650 meters DK-weight yarn. The sample was made with Old Rusted Chair Squish DK in “Wink.” Required yarn quantity can be reduced by making a smaller shawl using options in the Appendix.
- Fiber types: Wool and wool-blend yarns, including such fibers as bamboo, cotton, silk, or nylon, would work well here. The simple stitch patterns will look great with solids or tonals, but also let you highlight a densely speckled or highly variegated yarn.

Needles: US 8/5.0 mm or size needed to achieve gauge. The shawl is worked flat. It is possible to knit the shawl entirely on straight needles, but it will be more comfortable to use a long circular needle so that the stitches can spread out as the shawl grows.

Notions: Two markers to mark “spine” of shawl; 20 additional markers or loops of yarn; tapestry needle to weave in ends.

Designer support: I am always happy to help if you have questions! Email me at info@softyarndesigns.com.

Thank you to fabulous test knitters ellyol, fashionistaknit, Jmahala, Melchiod, RIKoop, and SilverWolf76. For notification about future test knitting opportunities, sign up for the Softyarn Designs newsletter.