A note about this update: This pattern was first published in 2014. I noticed some of the final shawls were coming out less crescent than desired and more triangular, which was not my intention as a designer. While much of this likely had to do with yarn substitutions and blocking, I have updated the pattern math to result in a perfectly crescent shawl shape.

There is also a new video overview of the updated pattern available on YouTube here.

This simple crescent shawl starts with casting on a small number of stitches and is worked from the top down. Edges are finished as you knit with a slip stitch pattern. Twists are achieved by transferring stitches onto a double pointed needle and rotating. The pattern includes a free video tutorial to demonstrate this technique. The video is also linked below.

This pattern is flexible and can be worked with multiple yarn weights and needle sizes. The number of pattern repeats is also flexible to create a shawl of varying sizes. The pattern is written with row by row instructions. There is also a free video tutorial for how to work the twist stitch that is the basis of this pattern here.

Updated note: wet blocking this shawl really helps achieve the dimensions shown. My own versions grew substantially after a good soak, pinning, and being left to dry overnight.