Knit asymmetrical triangle shawls have surged in popularity due to their unique design and versatility. Their distinct shape adds a modern twist to traditional shawls, making them a fashionable accessory for any outfit. These shawls are easy to wear, providing warmth and comfort while allowing for creative expression through various patterns and textures. Additionally, they are often beginner-friendly projects that knitters can customize with different yarns and colors, making each piece truly one-of-a-kind. The asymmetrical shape ensures a snug fit and allows for multiple styling options, enhancing their appeal and functionality.

Basic Sideways Triangle Shawl

This easy pattern allows you to knit, increasing only along one edge.  You knit until the shawl is as wide as you would like it to be.  It’s fairly easy to change up by incorporating stripes, fading, or even adding an easy 2 stitch repeat lace.   These shawls are usually worked in garter stitch, but can be done in stockinette;  just be sure to add a few garter selvedge stitches to the stockinette version to avoid curling.

If you want to alter the depth of this shawl, rather than increasing one edge stitch on every right  side row, try working an edge increase every other row for a more shallow shawl, or, for a deeper shawl work one edge increase on the same edge on both the wrong side and right side.  Something as simple as changing the rate of increases will give you a completely different shaped shawl.  For this shawl, a good number to cast on to start would be 3.

To Knit A  Basic  Sideways Triangle Shawl:

1. Cast on three stitches. 
2. Work a set-up row: Knit 1, k1fb, knit 2.
3. Next row (and all WS rows): Knit
4. RS Rows: Knit 1, k1fb, knit to end.

Asymmetrical Triangle Shawl

This is a very popular shape of shawl.  It begins the same way as the sideways shawl, however, instead of doing just one edge increase, you do two and then work a one stitch decrease along the other edge.

It will look something like this:

To Knit An Asymmetrical Triangle Shawl

Cast on 3

K1, KFBF, K1

Row 1: Knit all stitches (this is the ws)

Row 2: K1, k2tog, k to last 2 st, kfbf, k 1 (1 stitch increased)

Repeat rows 1-2 for pattern until desired size;  BO.

Again, you can modify this by choice of stitch (ex: knit in stockinette instead of garter),  you can add stripes, or blocks of color.  Use your scraps and make it scrappy!  It’s a fun shape to knit.

Kite Shawl

The final Asymmetrical Shape we are going to talk about is a Kite. A kite shaped shawl is a  triangle shape that has a biased line of knitting.  Think Fide Your Fade by Andrea Mowery.  It’s a bit more involved, but not difficult.  Keep in mind that you do have to remove and then replace the marker each time you do the decrease, but even that falls into a rhythm once you get going.  This shape is 

Simple to knit and keeps your interest as well.

To Knit A Kite Shawl:

Cast on 3 stitches

Set up Rows:

1 (ws) k1, yo, p1, yo, k1 (you increased 2 stitches for a total of 5)

2 (wS) k1,yo,sk2p, yo,k1 (SK2P – slip one stitch knitwise, k2tog, using your left needle, pull the slipped stitch over the first stitch on the right needle.  You’ve decreased by two)

3. k1,yo,k1,p1,k1,yo,k1 (you have increased by 2 for a total of 7)

4.  k1,yo,k1, sk2p, pm (place marker), k1,yo,k1.

Now that you are done with the set up rows, you will continue working the body of the shawl:

1.  (ws) k1,yo, k to m, slm, p1, k to one stitch before last stitch, yo, k1 (you have increased by 2)
2.   (rs) k1, yo, k to two stitches before marker, slm, sk2p, pm, knit to one stitch before last stitch, yo, k1.

Repeat these two rows until your shawl has reached the size you like.  Continue as follows:

1.  (WS): k1, drop yo, k to m, slm, p1, knit to one stitch before last stitch, yo, k1.
2.  (RS) K1, yo, k to two stitches before marker, slm, sk2p, pm, knit to one stitch before last stitch, yo, k1.

From here on out your stitch count remains the same, but you will start to notice the stitches shifting to the right side of the double decrease. Continue knitting until there is one stitch remaining to the left of the marker. The work as follows:

K1, yo, k to two stitches before m, rm, sk2p.  Bind off using a stretchy bind off.

Yarn Choice: 

 As always, the  yarn you choose plays an important role in how your shawl will ultimately turn out.  A heavier, more rustic yarn will give your shawl more structure and less drape.   Superwash yarn will grow a bit during blocking and give you a lovely soft shawl with amazing drape. And don’t forget color!  Sometimes, it’s easier to be bolder in your color choices in a shawl, which acts as an accent piece rather than a garment which tends to take center stage. Check out lots of beautiful and inspiring  colors and yarn options here.

Conclusion:

In short, knitting an asymmetrical shawl is a fun and flexible project that lets you get creative. You can easily customize the shape, size, and pattern to make it your own. Whether you go for a simple triangle, an asymmetrical shape, or a kite design, you’ll end up with a unique and stylish accessory that’s perfect for any outfit. Enjoy the process and make something special!