Hi! This shawl design I originally published in 2010 and is available as a PDF Ravelry download. It is a popular design that has been copied and adapted by many, which I’m very flattered by. It is a simply pattern, that is easy to follow and adaptable, it is also quite a small knit so suitable for travel knitting.

The original design came about when I had random odd balls of sock yarn in my yarn stash, that just seemed too nice for socks, colours and textures that I wanted to show off rather than hide away in winter boots. The 1 ball shawl was born. This pattern can be found in Ravelry under 1 Ball Shawl pattern. Please note: this pattern is slightly different to the original pattern (and also the second variation), but uses the same principles.

One 100g ball of variegated sock yarn is enough to knit this shawl, and you can easily modify the shawl to make it larger or smaller depending on what yarn you have. I used 4ply sock yarn - noro silk garden however other sock yarns can be substituted. The yarn doesn’t have to be variegated, it knits up just as lovely in a plain yarn. It is suitable for for thicker weight yarns, however I would recommend trying out a bit of the lace work first and see if it still gives you the light airy lace feel that the 4ply weight yarn gives. Why not experiment and try different knitting needle sizes and different yarns to see what happens. The pattern is a starting point for your creativity! Please see my other 1 ball shawl patterns in my ravelry store if you have got the 1 ball shawl bug and want to knit something with a slightly different stitch pattern.

The added bonus to this knit is that you don’t have to knit the dreaded tension square, as the tension isn’t really important.

Measurements of my shawl (blocked):
148 cm / 58 inches along top edge (longest edge)
55 cm / 21½ inches from middle of top edge to centre. It is a summer weight shawl in the yarn I used, but it would also work well in a more wintery yarn.

Feel free to message me or share a photo of your creations, it would be lovely to see new ideas using this pattern.

It has amazing colour ways and light and airy feel combined with the lace stitching, making a very pretty shawl for over the shoulders, suitable for Spring/Summer over a short sleeved dress/top or as a neck shawl in the Winter. The pattern is suitable for beginners lace knitters. It is quick and easy to knit and would make a lovely present.