Part practical, part cozy, and maybe just a little flirty, the Marcy Shawl is based on the main character in my upcoming novel, Not Your Mary Sue. Marcy’s a knitter - write what you know - and she could use something to wrap around her shoulders on a chilly Upper Peninsula evening.

Knit end-to-end, this shawl lets you use up every last yard of your precious yarn. The ruffle is knit as you go using short rows (but you don’t have to worry about picking up wraps) so you don’t have to figure out how much yarn to leave for it at the end. The ruffle gives a nice edge to the neck and adds a beautiful weight to the shawl, working with the shape to allow it to stay in place.

Because of this, the Marcy Shawl can be knit with any yarn, at any gauge that gives you a fabric you like. My first sample is in DK and makes full use of BMFA’s awesomely large skeins. See the pattern website for a sock yarn sample.

Techniques used

• provisional cast-on and grafting (each over only 22 stitches and both optional, if those aren’t your jam)
• short rows in garter for the ruffle
• 1x1 cables, easily done without a needle
• leaning increases
• decreases, including purling two together through the back loops

Helpful tools

• a scale to weigh your yarn and maximize your shawl size
• spare yarn and a crochet hook for a provisional cast-on
• tapestry needle to weave in ends
• two stitch markers (optional) to place between the ruffle and shawl body

Errata PDF updated April 2, 2022 - the first steps were presented out of order. It should be provisional cast-on, set-up rows, and then body increases. The new PDF reflects this order.