Kite shawls are a great alternative to a triangle shawl. It’s an asymmetrical triangle shape with a longer wingspan and a shallower depth than a standard triangle shawl, making it easier to wear (almost like a long scarf). And the construction is very intriguing – working increases at both edges and decreasing in the middle to create a central ‘spine’ stitch and then, when it’s as deep as you want, start dropping the yarn overs along one edge but continue to make them on the other. It certainly makes for fun knitting while you watch the shawl take shape.
If you’d like to knit one of these shawls for yourself, take a look at the twelve interesting kite shawl knitting patterns in this article, including:
- Find Your Fade by Andrea Mowry
- Match & Move by Martina Behm
- The Drifter by Tamy Gore
- Everyday Shawl by Jenny Faifel
- Nasha from Craftdoodling
- Harper’s Ferry by Tamy Gore
- Color Shift by Melanie Berg
- Birds of a Feather by Andrea Mowry
- Rift by Laura Aylor
- Thousand Tulips by Martina Behm
- Livie by Tamy Gore
- My Cryptonite by Melanie Berg
With these shawls you’ll play with color, add some texture and lace, and just explore the many possibilities when it comes to knitting this interesting triangle shawl shape. We’ll take a closer look at each of these kite shawl knitting patterns and what makes them interesting. I’ve also included some recommended yarn for each shawl if you’d like to get started on your own kite shawl knitting adventure!
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Find Your Fade
Andrea Mowry’s Find Your Fade is a highly popular pattern that’s worked using the kite shawl construction method. It’s worked in Garter stitch with some simple lace but the real star of the show is the fading. When you use a few different colors and slowly blend them together, switching from one color to the next, you can create some lovely, unique patterning. It’s a very large wrap but so easy to customize by choosing your own favorite color combinations.
Get the pattern: Find Your Fade
Recommended yarn: Malabrigo Sock
Match & Move
Match & Move by Martina Behm is a two-color shawl worked in Garter stitch. This really showcases two beautiful colors and exactly how this shawl is shaped – as seen by the wide broken stripes that are formed in this shawl. If you’re looking for a simple kite shawl, this is a perfect introduction. It’s all in Garter stitch and using two colors creates bold stripes but is still very easy to knit.
Get the pattern: Match & Move
Recommended yarn: Malabrigo Sock
The Drifter
The Drifter by Tamy Gore is a great interpretation on this asymmetrical triangle shape. There are color options in the patter – you can use two or three colors (your choice!). It’s worked in Garter stitch with slip-stitch colorwork sections throughout. It’s another great option for this shawl shape – and shows just how versatile it can be.
Get the pattern: The Drifter
Recommended yarn: Madelinetosh Tosh Merino Light
Everyday Shawl
The Everyday Shawl by Jenny Faifel alternates sections of Stockinette with reverse Stockinette – which creates a textured, striped effect. The original is worked in a gradient yarn set but, while she doesn’t include specific instructions on when to switch colors, this shape lends itself to customizing color choices easily and changing colors whenever you want. If you want the gradient option without switching yarn colors yourself, take a look at the recommended yarn below. The pattern also includes two different size options as well.
Get the pattern: Everyday Shawl
Recommended yarn: Schoppel Wolle Zauerball
Nasha
Nasha from CraftDoodling adds more texture. It includes Garter stitch, eyelets, and sections of pretty lace. It’s small, shawlette size means you can use approximately one generous skein of sock yarn and knit this pretty shawl. It’s a great size and weight for spring or summer days.
Get the pattern: Nasha
Recommended yarn: Cascade Heritage Silk
Harper’s Ferry
Harper’s Ferry, designed by Tamy Gore, is a fun interpretation on a kite shawl. It uses a main yarn alternating with a high-contrast color using mohair. Then it adds in some smaller, colourful sections with short rows and some slip-stitch colorwork (the pattern uses mini skeins but this would be a great opportunity to stash dive).
Get the pattern: Harper’s Ferry
Recommended yarn: Madelinetosh Tosh Merino Light and Artyarns Silk Mohair
Colorshift
Melanie Berg is known for her beautiful shawl designs and Colorshift is no exception. It’s worked in Garter stitch but features some fun drop-stitch sections throughout. It would be easy to customize and use up leftovers or mini skeins for the changing colors and make a truly unique shawl.
Get the pattern: Colorshift
Recommended yarn: Manos del Uruguay Silk Blend Fino
Birds of a Feather
Birds of a Feather is another popular knitting pattern from Andrea Mowry. This beautiful pattern uses two different yarns – the main body of the shawl is worked in alternating Garter stitch and lace panels with fingering-weight yarn. Between these sections you switch to a lace-weight mohair and silk blend (also worked in Garter stitch). It creates a beautiful, ethereal shawl that looks great in light colors as well as more colourful options.
Get the pattern: Birds of a Feather
Recommended yarn: Madelinetosh Tosh Merino Light and Austermann Kid Silk
Rift
Rift by Laura Aylor is an easy knit with small interesting color changes throughout the shawl. Choose a neutral background color and work the kite shawl shape in Garter stitch. Then, use leftover yarn, mini-skeins, or your favorite high-contrast color for the thin sections of eyelets that are worked throughout.
Get the pattern: Rift
Recommended yarn: Madelinetosh Tosh Merino Light and Malabrigo Mechita
Thousand Tulips
Thousand Tulips by Martina Behm uses simple mesh and texture to create a shawl that looks like stylized tulips growing from the central spine. It uses the kite shawl construction but keeps things small (it’s really a shawlette) worked in a bright color so it’s a great little shawl for spring or cool summer evenings.
Get the pattern: Thousand Tulips
Recommended yarn: Yarn Collective Rivoli Sport
Livie
Tamy Gore’s Livie is a fun, striped version of an asymmetrical kite shawl. It’s worked in two high-contrast colors with wide and two-row stripes, interspersed with some eyelets for additional texture. If you want a shawl that’s on the easier side, this is a great choice since it’s all Garter stitch except for the occasional eyelets.
Get the pattern: Livie
Recommended yarn: Malabrigo Sock
My Cryptonite
My Cryptonite by Melanie Berg is a colourful version of a kite shawl. It uses three colors – two low-contrast that are used for the background Garter stitch texture and stripes and then a third, high-contrast, bold color that’s used for the eyelet mesh sections as well as little blips of slip-stitch colorwork. It’s a generous, oversized shawl with some fun elements throughout.
Get the pattern: My Cryptonite
Recommended yarn: Cascade Heritage Solids
If you’d like to learn more about how kite shawls are constructed, read this article: How to Knit a Kite Shawl
But, if you’re ready to knit, get your yarn and needles and cast on your kite shawl today!
For more information about knitting shawls, take a look at the resources below.
Recommended Knitting Books
- Custom Shawls for the Curious & Creative Knitter by Kate Atherley and Kim McBrien Evans (available on Amazon)
- Knit Shawls & Wraps in One Week by Marie Greene (available on Amazon)
- The Magic of Shetland Lace Knitting by Elizabeth Lovick (available on Amazon)
- Knitting Modular Shawls, Wraps & Stoles by Melissa Leapman (available on Amazon)