Naiad is a fun, customizable, subtle-crescent shaped shawl that is worked from the top-down and borrows its construction from a traditional pi shawl. There are five completely interchangeable stitch patterns and two bind off options. This way, like a graceful mermaid traversing the ever-changing seas, you can easily float through the various shawl layers however you choose and always come out looking and feeling magical.

This is a mix and match type of pattern where I’ve provided a variety of interchangeable stitch patterns along with instructions for a basic shawl shape. The stitch patterns are listed in the order used in the sample, but feel free to play around and work whichever pattern is speaking to you for each layer.

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Notes:
I’ve included a chart to help you determine which bind-off you can make with the yardage you have available. There are 2 bind off options, one with bubbles and one without. Each type of bind off uses a different amount of yarn so please pay attention to the yardage needed for your desired bind off when choosing your yarn.

Because you are in control of which pattern is used where, there is no way for me to give you an exact number of beads needed for this pattern. I have instead listed the number of beads that each layer will take if you choose to use the beaded pattern in that layer. (You could also opt to work the beaded pattern without beads if they aren’t your thing.)

You can knit this shawl on straight needles, but due to the number of stitches a circular needle is recommended.

This pattern has been test knit and tech edited.
(Thanks, Sue-Cat & test knitters!)

Yarn:
750-840 yds / 685-770 m
in Fingering Weight

Sample Used:
MJ Yarns One Ewe
100% - Superwash Merino
380 yds (347 m) / 3.5 oz (100 g)

In the Colorway:
Jubilee

Needles:

• US 4 (3.5 mm) circular or straight needles or size to obtain gauge

Notions:

• Beading Crochet Hook (0.75 mm or smaller – optional)
• Beads (optional)
• Stitch Markers
• Scissors
• Tapestry Needle

Sample Size:
60” / 152 cm at widest point
Can easily be adjusted by knitting more or less rows.

Gauge:
29 sts and 36 rows / 4” (10 cm) in Stockinette, blocked

Stitches Used:
(tutorials are linked)

• Bind Off
• Central Double Decrease
• Cast On
• Knit
• Knit 2 Together
• Knit 3 Together
• Knit and Bead
• Knit Front and Back
• Purl
• Pick-Up and Knit
• Slip
• Slip, Slip, Knit
• Slip, Slip, Slip, Knit
• Yarn Over
• 1/1 Left Purl Twist
• 1/1 Right Twist

Please Note: The new version of this pattern has officially been released on August 20, 2020. This is a complete redesign of a shawl from 2016. You may see some project pages that look almost nothing like the new version. Please keep that in mind when looking at other knitter’s comments and projects and pay attention to the start dates. This new version has been completely tested and edited, you can find links to the tester projects through the link above.