The Aurora Borealis Wrap: A Free Knitting Pattern for a Luminous, Textured Shawl
Wrap Yourself in the Northern Lights: The Aurora Borealis Shawl
Imagine wrapping yourself in the ethereal beauty of the Northern Lights. The Aurora Borealis Wrap is a uniquely textured, crescent-shaped shawl that brings this celestial phenomenon to your wardrobe. The interplay of a deep, dark base with shifting, luminous stripes creates a truly mesmerizing and cozy accessory. This free knitting pattern is designed for adventurous beginners and intermediate knitters alike, using a simple brioche-like stitch to create a dense, plush fabric with subtle vertical ribs. The result is a wide, graceful crescent that drapes elegantly over your shoulders, with slightly scalloped edges that add a touch of organic charm.
Materials Needed
- Yarn: Fingering weight yarn in two colors:
- Color A (Dark Base - e.g., 'Midnight Blue' or 'Raven Black'): 400 yards
- Color B (Luminous Stripe - e.g., 'Aurora Green', 'Polar Pink', or 'Glacial Teal'): 350 yards
- Needle: US Size 6 (4.0 mm) circular needle, 32-inch or longer cable
- Gauge: 20 stitches and 28 rows = 4 inches in Stockinette stitch, after blocking
- Other: Tapestry needle for weaving in ends, blocking pins and mats
Step-by-Step Instructions
Abbreviations
- CO: Cast on
- K: Knit
- P: Purl
- sl1yo: Slip 1 stitch purlwise with yarn in front, then bring yarn over needle to back (creates a brioche stitch)
- brk1: Knit the slipped stitch and its accompanying yarn over together
- M1L: Make 1 left (increase)
- M1R: Make 1 right (increase)
- k2tog: Knit 2 together
- ssk: Slip, slip, knit (decrease)
Setup
With Color A, CO 3 stitches.
- Row 1 (WS): K3.
- Row 2 (RS): K1, M1L, K1, M1R, K1. (5 stitches)
- Row 3 (WS): K2, P1, K2.
- Row 4 (RS): K1, M1L, K1, M1L, K1, M1R, K1, M1R, K1. (9 stitches)
- Row 5 (WS): K2, P5, K2.
Begin Body
- Row 6 (RS, Color A): K1, M1L, K1, M1L, (K1, sl1yo) repeat until 2 stitches remain, K1, M1R, K1, M1R, K1. (13 stitches)
- Row 7 (WS, Color A): K2, P1, (brk1, P1) repeat until 2 stitches remain, K2.
Stripe Section (Color B)
- Row 8 (RS, Color B): K1, M1L, K1, M1L, (sl1yo, K1) repeat until 2 stitches remain, K1, M1R, K1, M1R, K1. (17 stitches)
- Row 9 (WS, Color B): K2, P1, (P1, brk1) repeat until 2 stitches remain, K2.
Repeat Pattern
Repeat Rows 6-9, alternating colors every 2 rows (Rows 6-7 in Color A, Rows 8-9 in Color B), until the shawl measures approximately 24 inches from the center cast-on edge, ending with a WS row. The increases will create a gentle crescent shape.
Final Stripe
Work one more stripe section in Color B (Rows 8-9).
Edging (Color A)
- Row 1 (RS): K1, M1L, K1, M1L, (K1, sl1yo) repeat until 2 stitches remain, K1, M1R, K1, M1R, K1.
- Row 2 (WS): K2, P1, (brk1, P1) repeat until 2 stitches remain, K2.
- Row 3 (RS): K1, M1L, K1, M1L, (K1, sl1yo) repeat until 2 stitches remain, K1, M1R, K1, M1R, K1.
- Row 4 (WS): Bind off loosely in pattern: K2, *P1, brk1, pass previous stitch over, repeat from * until 2 stitches remain, K2, pass previous stitch over, fasten off.
Finishing
Weave in all ends. Block the shawl aggressively to open up the stitch pattern and create a soft, drapey fabric. Pin the edges to a crescent shape and allow to dry completely. The gentle, organic wave of the stripes will become more pronounced after blocking, giving your shawl that luminous, aurora-like glow.
