Have you ever purchased a skein or two in a softly transitioning, gradient colorway… and didn’t quite know what pattern would showcase its unique qualities? Let me introduce you to the Dresdner Shawl!

While holidaying in the beautiful city of Dresden, Germany, I was fascinated by the stunning architecture of old castles and churches, especially the tessellation of points and edges of formwork that flowed into structural harmony. Inspired by this, I began designing an asymmetrical shawl with Chevron bands to highlight these architectural elements, and to showcase the colourful transitions of this beautiful yarn.

The Dresdner Shawl is knit almost entirely in Garter stitch with regular and easy-to-memorize increases, which create its distinctive shape.
Two different sized Chevron bands, in alternating reverse stocking stitch, border the long and short sides and are knit after the body of the shawl is complete.
Both Garter stitch and the wavy Chevrons not only showcase transitional, gradient yarns but also make it entirely reversible.

The Dresdner Shawl is an easy, comfort knit and makes an ideal project for holiday knitting or gift giving. It looks great worn as a scarf, knotted into a cowl or worn loosely on shoulders.

Pattern includes a schematic, row by row written instructions for the Chevron borders, and a link to VeryPink Knit’s YouTube tutorial on how to do the stretchy, twisty Icelandic Bind off.

YARN
2 x 100g/400m (437 yds) balls of Bendigo Woollen Mills Transitional Sock Yarn, (70% Merino/30% Nylon) in colour 523 Red Orange Multi. Used 560m (612 yds) or 140g.

Suggested yarns:
Knit Picks Chroma Fingering Transitional yarn.
Knitting Fever Painted Desert
Wolle Rödel Strumpfwolle Color 4-fach
Marks & Kattens Fame Rand

OR equivalent meterage/yardage in fingering GRADIENT yarn in merino or merino blend. Gradient yarns have softly blended colour changes. Striped yarn with abrupt colour changes will not give the same result.

NEEDLES: 4mm (US 6) 100cm long cable (circulars); 5mm (US 8) for bind off.

GAUGE: Not critical for wearing, but differences will affect meterage and size. After blocking: 18 sts x 40 rows (20 bumps) in Garter stitch = 4”/10cm.

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS: Width (at deepest point) 17”/43cm; Length (across top) 60”/152cm; Long side 38” / 96.5cm; Short side 29” / 73.5cm (after Chevrons are knit.)

NOTIONS: 11 removable stitch markers for pattern stitch tracking, to denote right side of work and help with picking up correct number of stitches; darning needle for weaving in ends.

The Dresden Shawl is both tech edited and test knit here