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, k2Repeat 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.
beautiful, I love your colourful take on it@! I actually just saw the show for the firs time last night, there was a big marathon playing the entire first season in the lead up to the second season starting in a week or so.
warms my geeky crafty heart. I guess I should get on the Outlander train!
This is so beautiful. I just love your color choices!!!!
Very pretty shawl
Thank you very much for such a lovely pattern!
Hi Heidi,
I love this Chevron scarf!! I would like to make a poncho in this “chevron” pattern.
Would you help me or tell me a way to convert to poncho please?
Thanks,
Zola
You could play with making the shawl larger and sewing ends together to form a poncho. If you come up with a cute way to form the poncho, I’d love to see photos when you’re finished!
Best,
Heidi
Hi Heidi,
Do you have a pattern for a “Cable knit” bulky knit throw?
Thanks,
Zola
I don’t currently, but I can add that to my list for future designs! Thanks for the suggestion. :) -Heidi
HI
ID LIKE TO MAKE THIS LONGER
DO I JUST KEEP GOING UNTILL ITS THE REQUIRED LENGTH.
Yes, ma’am!
Hi Heidi…
I like this pattern, however, the description on Ravelry :
“With this shawl, 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. :)”…
does not coirrespont with the pattern instructions: there you increase on the right side 4 stitches – at edges and in the middle, on the wrong side only two at the adges.
So which is correct? I’d appreciate your answer. Thanks, Eva
Hi Eva,
It corresponds. After working rows 1 and 2 (which are setup rows), rows 3 and 4 are repeated to comprise 99% of this shawl. Row 3 (RS) increases at the edges and center, increasing 4 sts. Row 4 (WS) just has increases at the edges, increasing just 2 sts. “Increase at each edge on both sides of your work” refers to the increases happening at the edges on the both the RS & WS.
Yours in yarn,
Heidi
Loved the pink shawl….pattern is very clear…
Deb
Hello Heidi, What is the thickness of the yarn? I’m assuming it’s either a DK or Sport weight thickness because the needles are so small. Could you please clarify this for me? Thanks Barbara Ann
No problem! Lhasa Wilderness is a sport weight yarn. Here’s the Ravelry page for the yarn, featuring all yarn details: https://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/bijou-spun-by-bijou-basin-ranch-lhasa-wilderness.
Thanks Heidi! I just finished making a shawl based off of this pattern, which was really easy to grasp & follow. My only problem was that when I finished, the shawl bunched & curled instead of making a straight triangle. The issue sees to be that the top edge is tighter & does not stretch, causing it to curve toward that edge. Do you have any tips for dealing with that? Thank you!
Have you blocked your finished project yet? What type of fiber are you using? And what is your tension generally like? Blocking, which one should almost always do to a finished project, can help a lot. Fiber type and tension can have an impact on curling as well. Bearing this in mind, let me know if you have further questions. -H :)
Hi! My husband and I LOVE the Outlander show and am so happy with your creating this pattern! I was having trouble using the 3 DK light yarn, so am using 4 ply instead, with size 8 needles. Approximately how many stitches did you end with or how many rows? Also, I’m new to making shawls, so finally figured out the first M1 sts : First 2 are M1R and the second 2 are M1L. My shawl is yellow, purple, and to finish in yellow. :) Thank you, and Happy Knitting!
I’m not sure & the sample is sadly currently packed away or I’d check. :) I worked until I ran out of yarn. For reference, I included the weights of yarn I used for each section of color in the pattern.
Sidenote: This free pattern was intended for beginners. If anyone is confused about the above question on the M1s, please note that the M1s don’t have to be specifically left or right leaning for this pattern to work out as written.