The ParalleloPooling Shawl

Introduction

The ParalleloPooling Shawl is a simple yet elegant one skein project designed to showcase the beauty of assigned pooling yarn. Worked in the shape of a parallelogram, the shawl begins with an increase section, followed by a straight central section, and finishes with a matching decrease section. The uncomplicated construction allows the pooling motifs to take centre stage, creating a striking fabric without complicated stitch patterns.

Perfect for knitters who want to enjoy their assigned pooling yarn without committing to a large project, the ParalleloPooling Shawl combines relaxing knitting with an eye catching result. Its versatile shape makes it easy to wear as a scarf, shawlette, or lightweight neck wrap.

Assigned pooling yarn is specially dyed to create repeating motifs as you knit. Unlike traditional variegated yarns, assigned pooling colourways contain carefully placed sections of contrasting colour that are intended to form decorative shapes or patterns within the fabric. The exact appearance of these motifs depends on factors such as gauge, needle size, tension, and stitch pattern. Small adjustments can significantly affect how the contrasting colours stack and interact, making assigned pooling an engaging and rewarding knitting technique.

Prefer a printable copy?

This pattern is also available as a print friendly PDF on Ravelry for $0.99. Handy to keep on hand while you knit, no need to reopen this page, and it helps support me as a small independent designer.

Before you start

  • Gauge is not important in this pattern. Knit at whatever tension feels comfortable, the shawl will still come together correctly.
  • Because assigned pooling colourways are dyed individually, the amount of contrasting colour varies from skein to skein, and sometimes even between skeins of the same colourway. This pattern is written around your remaining yarn weight rather than a fixed row count, so it adapts naturally to your particular skein. See the note under Materials below for guidance on yardage.
  • Try to avoid making strawberries, or other cluster stitches, in the first or last 4 stitches of each row. Working a motif too close to the edge can distort the shape of the shawl.
  • The shawl needs proper blocking to open up the texture and let the motifs show clearly. Don't skip this step.

Shop the yarn

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Materials

Yarn
1 skein of Auridon Yarns Deluxe Merino Sock (85% superwash merino / 15% nylon, 400m / 437yds per 100g) in an assigned pooling colourway. Colour shown: Strawberry. The darker Strawberry Noir colourway also works beautifully for a moodier version of the shawl.

Will one 100g skein be enough? Yes, this pattern is specifically designed to use a full 100g skein (around 400m) from start to finish, with only 2 ends to weave in. Because the pattern works from your remaining yarn weight rather than a fixed number of rows, it will use up almost the entire skein regardless of exactly how much contrast colour your particular skein contains. If you are working from a smaller or larger skein, you can still use this pattern: the increase, straight and decrease sections are all measured by remaining yarn weight, so simply adjust the target weights in the pattern instructions in proportion to your total skein weight.

Needles
US5 / 3.75mm circular needles, 14" / 35cm (or size to achieve gauge)

Notions
Tapestry needle, blocking tools, scissors

Gauge

24 sts x 32 rows = 4x4"/10x10cm (unblocked) in stockinette stitch. A friendly note here: gauge is not very important in this pattern.

Size

~155x30cm (61x12") after blocking

Construction

The ParalleloPooling Shawl is designed to make the most of a single skein of assigned pooling yarn. The shawl is worked in three sections: an increase section, a straight section, and a decrease section, creating an elegant parallelogram shape.

Because assigned pooling colourways are dyed individually, the amount of contrasting colour can vary from skein to skein. Some colourways contain longer contrasting sections, while others contain shorter ones. As a result, the amount of yarn required for the increase section will differ between colourways and sometimes even between individual skeins.

For this reason, the pattern does not specify a fixed point at which to transition from the increase section to the straight section. Instead, knitters should monitor the remaining yarn and begin the straight section when approximately 70% of the usable yarn remains. This ensures that sufficient yarn is available to complete both the straight section and the decrease section, regardless of the exact distribution of colours within the skein.

This flexible approach allows the shawl to adapt to the unique characteristics of each assigned pooling colourway while making efficient use of the entire skein.

Helpful videos

ParalleloPooling Shawl detail showing the assigned pooling motif

Strawberry Stitch written instructions

RS
1. Insert R needle tip 2 or 3 sts under the first st on your L needle from front to back and pull through a new loop as if to knit, place this new loop on R needle. (1 st increased)
2. knit 1
3. repeat step 1
4. repeat step 2
5. repeat step 1
(you should now have three new dip stitches with two regular stitches in between)
6. Turn and purl 5 sts
7. Turn and knit 5 sts
8. Turn and p2tog twice (decr 2)
9. psso (decr 1)
10. Turn & sl1pw

WS
1. Insert R needle tip 2 or 3 sts under the first st on your L needle from back to front and pull through a new loop as if to knit, place this new loop on R needle. (1 st increased)
2. purl 1
3. repeat step 1
4. repeat step 2
5. repeat step 1
6. Turn and knit 5 sts
7. Turn and purl 5 sts
8. Turn and k2tog twice (decr 2)
9. psso (decr 1)
10. Turn & sl1pw

Assigned pooling guidelines

This pattern has been designed with assigned pooling in mind. Assigned pooling yarns include a contrasting colour section that repeats along the skein. To make the most of this effect, here is a clear set of rules to help you work with confidence:

  1. Avoid working an assigned pooling motif in the increase or decrease areas (the first and last couple of stitches of the row), as this can distort the structure of the shawl. If your yarn changes colour and you are about to knit (an) edge or centre stitch(es), knit those stitches first and postpone your textured stitch. Decide after finishing them, if there is enough yarn left to make a smaller version of your textured stitch.
  2. Sometimes many textured stitches may cluster on one side of your work. Accept this, it gives your shawl a playful and organic look.
  3. Embrace small variations in the textured stitches (in this case, the strawberries). They add character and make your garment unique.

These rules are not strict limitations, they are there to give you a framework so you can focus on enjoying the creative freedom that assigned pooling provides.

Abbreviations

  • k: knit
  • kfb: knit into the front and the back of the same stitch
  • k2tog: knit 2 sts together
  • p2tog: purl 2 sts together
  • psso: pass stitch over
  • RS: right side
  • sl1pw: slip 1 stitch purlwise
  • st(s): stitch(es)
  • WS: wrong side
  • yo: yarn over

Pattern instructions

Note: Try to avoid making strawberries (or other cluster stitches) in the first or last 4 stitches of each row because of structural reasons.

Cast-on: Cast on 7 sts any way you prefer. For the sample, the 'I-cord tab cast-on' was used (see 'Helpful Videos').

Set-up Row: Purl across. Turn.

Increase part
Row 1 (RS): k1, yo, k2tog, kfb, knit until 3 sts left, k2tog, yo, k1. Turn. (+1)
Row 2 (WS): purl across.
Repeat rows 1 & 2 until the remaining ball of yarn weighs 70g.

Straight part
Row 3 (RS): k1, yo, k2tog, knit until 3 sts left, k2tog, yo, k1. Turn. (+0)
Row 4 (WS): purl across.
Repeat rows 3 & 4 until the remaining ball of yarn weighs 30g.

Decrease part
Row 5 (RS): k1, yo, k2tog, knit until 5 sts left, k2tog twice, yo, k1. Turn. (-1)
Row 6 (WS): purl across.
Repeat rows 5 & 6 until there are 7 stitches left on your needles.

Bind off any way you prefer.

Finishing

Weave in ends, block the shawl to open up the texture, and enjoy your ParalleloPooling Shawl!

ParalleloPooling Shawl worn as a wrap, hand-dyed yarn by Auridon Yarns

More assigned pooling yarn to explore

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More assigned pooling patterns

Mist on Mt. Etna Shawl

Mist on Mt. Etna Shawl, worked in our mohair silk assigned pooling line

You did it!

Congratulations on finishing your ParalleloPooling shawl. We'd love to see your work! Share it on socials with the hashtag #paralleloshawl and tag @AuridonYarns, or add your project to Ravelry so others can be inspired by your lovely work.

Usage

This pattern is for personal use only. You may not copy, distribute, or sell this pattern. You may sell items made from this pattern in small quantities with credit to Auridon Yarns as the designer.