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Portia's Sail Shawl Knitting Pattern

Portia's Sail Shawl Knitting Pattern
4.7★ Rating
12-15 Hours Time Needed
1.7K Made This
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Intermediate Level

Ideal for those with basic knitting experience, featuring slightly more advanced stitches and techniques to expand your skills.

⏱️

Slow & Steady

A 10-12 hour project—great for savoring the process over several sessions.

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Snug Essential

Everyday comfort with practical charm, designed for both functionality and style through changing seasons.

About This Portia's Sail Shawl Knitting Pattern

Portia's Sail is a gorgeous single-skein shawl pattern inspired by the ship that carried Jamie and Claire from Paris back to Scotland in the Outlander series. The pattern features an innovative design with dropped stitches and eyelets that create a beautiful sail-like texture. The asymmetric triangular shaping grows from just 4 stitches to create a generous wingspan, while strategic eyelet placements add visual interest throughout the piece.

Portia's Sail Shawl Knitting Pattern crochet pattern - detailed view of completed project

The pattern uses both 3.5mm and 4.5mm needles to create the perfect drape, with the larger needle used for a loose cast-off that keeps the edge flexible. Blocking transforms the piece, opening up the lace areas and allowing you to shape the edge into gentle waves or keep it straight.

Why You'll Love This Portia's Sail Shawl Knitting Pattern

I absolutely love how this pattern tells a story through its construction—each section builds upon the last like a journey across the sea. The dropped stitches create such a unique texture that's both simple to execute and visually stunning. What really makes my heart sing is how one skein of beautiful hand-dyed yarn transforms into such a generous, wearable piece. The pattern keeps you engaged with its changing sections, so you never get bored, yet it's meditative enough to relax with. Plus, the blocking stage is pure magic when those eyelets open up into sail-like beauty!

Portia's Sail Shawl Knitting Pattern step 1 - construction progress Portia's Sail Shawl Knitting Pattern step 2 - assembly progress Portia's Sail Shawl Knitting Pattern step 3 - details and accessories Portia's Sail Shawl Knitting Pattern step 4 - final assembly and finishing

Switch Things Up

I love experimenting with this pattern by choosing different yarn bases and colors to completely transform its character. A solid semi-solid yarn really lets the lace structure shine through, while a variegated or speckled yarn adds dynamic movement that enhances the sail effect. You could try a gradient yarn to create the illusion of a sunset or sunrise over the ocean, which would be absolutely stunning.

For a more dramatic look, I've considered using a mohair blend or silk-merino combination that would give the shawl an ethereal, cloud-like quality when blocked. The dropped stitches would create even more drape with these luxury fibers. Alternatively, a crisp cotton or linen blend would make this perfect for warmer weather wear with a more structured finish.

If you're feeling adventurous, you could add beads to the eyelet sections by threading them onto the yarn before you make each yo. This would catch the light beautifully and add weight to help the shawl drape even better. Another fun modification is to work the entire piece in a contrasting color for the yoo sections before dropping them, creating subtle color echoes throughout the fabric.

Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them

✗ Forgetting to drop the yarn-over-overs (yoo) in Row 2 will create unwanted bulk and distort the lace pattern significantly ✗ Not switching to the larger needle for cast-off results in a tight edge that prevents proper draping and blocking ✗ Miscounting the k2tg/yo bracket repeats in sections 4, 6, and 8 will throw off stitch counts for remaining rows ✗ Blocking too aggressively or not pinning the yoo edge creates irregular points that lose the sail-like waved appearance

Portia's Sail Shawl Knitting Pattern

Create a beautiful sail-inspired shawl with this elegant 4ply knitting pattern. Designed as part of an Outlander-inspired collection, this pattern features delicate dropped stitches and eyelet details that capture the romance of maritime journeys. Using just one 400m skein of fingering weight yarn, you'll craft a stunning shawl measuring approximately 179cm wingspan by 47cm deep. The unique construction creates a sail-like appearance with a gently waved edge that mimics fabric blowing in the wind, making it a perfect accessory for any season.

Intermediate 12-15 Hours

Materials Needed for Portia's Sail Shawl Knitting Pattern

— Main Fabric

  • 01
    1 x 100g skein of 4ply/fingering weight yarn (400m/437yds)
  • 02
    Honey Girl Farms Royal Fingering in Moroccan Blue (or similar fingering weight yarn in your choice of color)

— Tools Required

  • 01
    3.5mm (US 4) knitting needles
  • 02
    4.5mm (US 7) knitting needles
  • 03
    Tapestry needle for weaving in ends
  • 04
    Blocking pins
  • 05
    Blocking mat or surface

Progress Tracker

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— Set Up

Cast On:

Cast on 4 stitches with 3.5mm needle

Row 1:

Slp1, knit to the last stitch, yo, kfb

Row 2:

Slp1, k2, yo, knit into back of next stitch, knit to the last 2 sts, k2tg

Repeat:

Repeat these 2 rows twice more

— Section 1

Row 1:

Slp1, k2, yoo, k1, yoo, knit all stitches to the last stitch, yo, kfb

Row 2:

Slp1, k2, yo, knit into the back of the next stitch, knit to the yoo, drop the yoo, k1, drop yoo, knit 1, k2tg

Repeat:

Repeat these 2 rows a further 29 times

— Section 2

Row 1:

Slp1, k2, (yoo, k1) repeat the bracket across to the last stitch, yo, kfb

Row 2:

Slp1, k2, yo, knit into the back of the next stitch, (drop yoo, k1) repeat the bracket to the last 2 sts, k2tg

Repeat:

Repeat these 2 rows twice more

— Section 3

Row 1:

Slp1, k2, yoo, k1, yoo, knit all stitches to the last stitch, yo, kfb

Row 2:

Slp1, k2, yo, knit into the back of the next stitch, knit to the yoo, drop the yoo, k1, drop yoo, knit 1, k2tg

Repeat:

Repeat these 2 rows a further 19 times

— Section 4

Row 1:

Slp1, k2, yoo, k1, yoo, k1, (k2tg, yo) repeat the bracket 10 times across the row, knit all remaining stitches to the last stitch, yo, kfb

Row 2:

Slp1, k2, yo, knit into the back of the next stitch, knit to the yoo, drop yoo, k1, drop yoo, k1, k2tg

Repeat:

Repeat these two rows another 9 times, each time increasing the (k2tg, yo) bracket by one repeat

— Section 5

Row 1:

Slp1, k2, (yoo, k1) repeat the bracket across to the last stitch, yo, kfb

Row 2:

Slp1, k2, yo, knit into the back of the next stitch, (drop yoo, k1) repeat the bracket to the last 2 sts, k2tg

— Section 6

Row 1:

Slp1, k2, yoo, k1, yoo, k1, (k2tg, yo) repeat the bracket 21 times across the row, knit all stitches to the last stitch, yo, kfb

Row 2:

Slp1, k2, yo, knit into the back of the next stitch, knit to the yoo, drop yoo, k1, drop yoo, k1, k2tg

Repeat:

Repeat these two rows another 14 times, each time increasing the (k2tg, yo) bracket by one repeat

— Section 7

Row 1:

Slp1, k2, (yoo, k1) repeat the bracket 90 times, then knit across to the last stitch, yo, kfb

Row 2:

Slp1, k2, yo, knit into the back of the next stitch, (drop yoo, k1) repeat the bracket to the last yoo, and then knit to the last 2 sts, k2tg

— Section 8

Row 1:

Slp1, k2, yoo, k1, yoo, k1, (k2tg, yo) repeat the bracket 36 times across the row, knit all stitches to the last stitch, yo, kfb

Row 2:

Slp1, k2, yo, knit into the back of the next stitch, knit to the yoo, drop yoo, k1, drop yoo, k1, k2tg

Repeat:

Repeat these two rows twice more, each time increasing the (k2tg, yo) bracket by one repeat

— Section 9

Row 1:

Slp1, k2, yoo, k1, yoo, knit all stitches to the last stitch, yo, kfb

Row 2:

Slp1, k2, yo, knit into the back of the next stitch, knit to the yoo, drop the yoo, k1, drop yoo, knit 1, k2tg

Repeat:

Repeat these 2 rows a further 16 times

— Section 10

Row 1:

Slp1, k2, yoo, k1, yoo, knit all the stitches to the last stitch, yo, kfb

Row 2:

Slp1, (k2tg, yo) repeat the bracket to the last stitch before the yoo, k1, drop yoo, k1, drop yoo, k1, k2tg

— Finishing

Cast Off:

Change to 4.5mm needle and loosely cast off all stitches

Assembly Instructions

  • Weave in all loose ends using a tapestry needle, ensuring they're secured on the wrong side of the work
  • Soak the shawl in cool water with wool wash for 15-20 minutes to relax the fibers
  • Gently squeeze out excess water without wringing, then roll in a towel to remove more moisture
  • Pin the shawl to blocking mats, stretching to approximately 179cm wingspan by 47cm depth
  • Pin out the yarn-over-over (yoo) lace edge into random points to create the characteristic waved sail effect
  • Alternatively, block the edge straight if you prefer a more formal geometric appearance
  • Allow to dry completely before unpinning, which may take 24-48 hours depending on humidity

Important Notes

  • 💡Gauge is 12 stitches x 14 rows in garter stitch, though exact gauge is not critical for this pattern
  • 💡The yoo (yarn over over) creates longer dropped stitches that must be dropped in the following row
  • 💡Keep track of which section you're working on as the k2tg/yo repeats increase progressively
  • 💡Use stitch markers to mark the beginning of rows if needed to track your progress
  • 💡The switch to larger needles for cast-off is essential for maintaining elasticity in the edge
  • 💡Blocking is crucial to open up the lace pattern and achieve the proper sail-like drape

This enchanting Portia's Sail shawl pattern brings literary romance to life through thoughtful construction and beautiful lace details. Inspired by Outlander's maritime journeys, it combines dropped stitches with strategic eyelet placements to create a piece that truly resembles a ship's sail catching the wind. The pattern's progressive structure keeps knitters engaged while building skills, and the one-skein efficiency makes it perfect for showcasing special hand-dyed yarns. Whether you're an Outlander fan or simply love elegant accessories, this shawl will become a treasured addition to your wardrobe. 🧶 Happy knitting! ✨

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FAQs

Can I use a different weight of yarn for this pattern?

While the pattern is designed for 4ply/fingering weight yarn, you could adapt it for other weights by adjusting needle size and being aware that your finished dimensions will differ. A DK weight yarn would create a larger, heavier shawl, while lace weight would make a more delicate piece.

What does 'yoo' mean and why do I drop it?

Yoo means 'yarn over over' - you wrap the yarn around the needle twice instead of once. In the following row, you drop both wraps off the needle without knitting them, which creates elongated stitches that give the shawl its distinctive sail-like texture.

Do I need to block this shawl?

Yes, blocking is essential for this pattern. It opens up the eyelet lace work, evens out the stitches, and allows you to shape the edge into the characteristic wave pattern. The shawl will look quite different before and after blocking.

How do I increase the k2tg/yo brackets as instructed?

In sections 4, 6, and 8, you repeat the same two rows multiple times, but each repetition adds one more k2tg/yo to the bracketed section. For example, in Section 4, Row 1 starts with 10 repeats, then 11 repeats the next time, then 12, and so on.

Can I make the shawl larger or smaller?

Yes! To make it larger, you can repeat any of the main sections additional times. To make it smaller, work fewer repeats in sections 1, 3, or 9. Just keep track of your stitch count to ensure the pattern remains balanced.