Outlander Chevron Shawl

I guess it was inevitable. Outlander made such a splash in the knitting world after its TV premiere last August that screenshots and costume sketches found their way all over the yarny internet (a.k.a. Ravelry & Pinterest). Even as a librarian, I wasn’t aware of the Outlander series of books the show is based on, despite its popularity. I finally jumped on the bandwagon, books, TV show and all, this winter after seeing it all over so many of my favorite knitter’s feeds. I’m always in the market for something to entertain myself with while knitting, but aside from that, I was deeply curious about the show my knitting pals could stop talking (and fan knitting) about. And I wasn’t disappointed by the show OR the knits.

The knitwear, which is largely comprised of wrist warmers, cowls and shawls is gorgeous, and it’s nice to see quality knitwear represented on TV. The shawl pictured here on Claire, the main character, caught my eye in particular when I watched the show.

via @outlander_starz on instagram

It’s a triangle shaped shawl knit in garter stitch, and it features a button to hold the ends together. Using Bijou Basin Ranch’s Lhasa Wilderness yarn in colors inspired by Outlander, my shawl is a modern reimagining of the pictured garment. Most of the series is set in the 1740s, so they weren’t necessarily wearing fuschia shift dresses with bright yellow and springy purple shawls. Since it’s 2015, I thought the springy colors and a smaller size would make this shawl viable as a mini shawl or handkerchief style scarf in today’s world.

In fitting outlander style, it was crazy windy, chilly and damp out when I roped my husband into photographing me wearing my Outlander Chevron Shawl. In interviews about the production process for Outlander, the oh-so-attractive cast regularly speak with laughter about how crazy filming outdoors, on location in the Highlands is. (It’s like I’m in the show for REAL! But not really. I think I’d get myself hanged for general feminism if I found myself thrown back to 1740.)

Outlander Chevron Shawl

Since I’ve already waxed poetic about Outlander and this design, all I’ll say here about knitting this shawl is that it’s important to keep track of your right and wrong sides as you work. You do two increases at the center when working right side rows, and you increase at each edge on both sides of your work. That’s the trick! Easy peasy. :)

Abbreviations
CO – cast on
k – knit
pm – place marker
M1 – make 1 st
st – stitch
sl m – slip marker
MC – main color
CC – contrasting color
BO – bind off

Supplies
4 stitch markers
tapestry needle
size 3 US circular needles (with long cords – I used needles with a 60″ cord)
1 skein Bijou Basin Ranch Lhasa Wilderness in laoghaire (lira)
1 skein Bijou Basin RanchLhasa Wilderness in thistle

Make garter tab
CO 2 sts in MC
1-5. k
6. Pick up & k 5 sts: 3 along long edge, 2 along CO edge. There will be 7 total sts.

1. (RS) k2, pm, M1, k1, M1, pm, k1, pm, M1, k1, M1, pm, k2
2. (WS) k2, sl m, M1, k across to last marker slipping markers as you go, M1, sl m, k2
3. (RS) k2, sl m, M1, k to next marker, M1, sl m, k, sl m, M1, k to next marker, M1, sl m, k2
4. (WS) k2, sl m, M1, k to last marker slipping markers as you go, M1, sl m, k2

Repeat rows 3 & 4 in MC. Each skein of the yarn shown weighs about 70g. I knit 50g in MC, then switched to the CC, continuing to repeat rows 3 & 4. I knit 35g (half the skein) in the CC, then switched back to the MC, working until I ran out of yarn.

To finish, BO all sts and weave in ends.

The yarn used in this design was provided by Bijou Basin Ranch.