Free Shawl Knitting Pattern: Relax Shawl
There is something deeply satisfying about wrapping yourself in something you made with your own hands. A shawl is one of those knitting projects that sits at the perfect intersection of practical and beautiful — it keeps you warm, it drapes elegantly over your shoulders, and it shows off your skills without demanding the kind of precision that a fitted sweater requires. The Relax Shawl is exactly what its name promises: a relaxed, flowing, easy-to-wear wrap that is just as relaxing to knit as it is to wear.
Whether you are a newer knitter looking for your first shawl project or an experienced one who wants something meditative and calming to work on during evenings and weekends, this pattern was designed with you in mind. The construction is straightforward, the stitch pattern is forgiving, and the result is a generous, drapey shawl that looks far more complex than it actually is.
Let’s dive into everything you need to know to cast on and get started.
About the Relax Shawl
The Relax Shawl is a rectangular wrap knitted from one short end to the other, using a simple combination of knit and purl stitches that creates a subtle textured pattern. The body of the shawl features an easy repeating stitch that creates gentle ridges and visual interest, while the borders are worked in garter stitch to keep the edges tidy and prevent curling.
The finished shawl measures approximately 22 inches wide by 72 inches long, though you can easily adjust the dimensions by changing your cast-on number or working more or fewer rows. This size is generous enough to wear as a full wrap over your shoulders, drape loosely around your neck like a scarf, or even fold in half and wear as a doubled layer on chilly days.
The name “Relax” comes from the feeling of knitting it. Once you have worked the first few repeats and your hands have memorized the rhythm, you can truly relax into the knitting — the kind of project you can carry in your bag, pick up during a lunch break, or work on while watching your favorite show without losing your place.
Materials and Supplies
Yarn: Approximately 800–1,000 yards of worsted weight yarn (US weight 4). The pattern works beautifully in a smooth, plied yarn that will show off the texture, but it also looks lovely in a soft, single-ply yarn for a more rustic feel. Choose a fiber you love — wool, alpaca, cotton, or a blend will all produce a gorgeous result. For the sample shown, a squishy merino wool in a warm heather tone was used, which gave the shawl a cozy, lived-in look.
Needles: US size 8 (5.0mm) circular needles, 32 inches or longer. Circular needles are recommended even though this is knitted flat, because the long cord allows you to comfortably hold all the stitches as the work grows.
Notions: Scissors, a yarn needle for weaving in ends, stitch markers (optional but helpful), and a tape measure.
Gauge: 18 stitches and 28 rows = 4 inches in the main stitch pattern, blocked. Gauge is not critical for this project since it is a wrap rather than a fitted garment, but hitting close to this gauge will give you a finished shawl close to the stated measurements. If your gauge is looser, your shawl will be larger and you may need more yarn. If your gauge is tighter, your shawl will be slightly smaller.
Skill Level
This pattern is rated as easy to intermediate. You should be comfortable with:
Casting on and binding off, knitting and purling, reading a simple row-by-row pattern, and blocking finished knitwear. No advanced techniques are required. The entire shawl is worked flat, back and forth in rows, with no shaping, no increases, and no decreases.
Abbreviations
Before you begin, here are the abbreviations used throughout the pattern:
CO — cast on. BO — bind off. K — knit. P — purl. RS — right side. WS — wrong side. Rep — repeat. St(s) — stitch(es). YO — yarn over (used only in the optional lace border variation). Sl1 — slip one stitch purlwise with yarn in front (used for the selvage edge).
Pattern Notes
The first stitch of every row is slipped purlwise with the yarn held in front, then the yarn is moved to the back before working the second stitch. This creates a neat, chained edge along both sides of the shawl and makes picking up stitches or adding a border much easier if you choose to do so later.
The pattern stitch is worked over a multiple of 10 stitches plus 6 for the borders (3 stitches on each side in garter stitch). The main body repeat is easy to memorize after just a few rows and has a pleasing rhythm that most knitters find meditative.
If you want to substitute a different yarn weight, the pattern will scale up or down beautifully. Using a bulky weight yarn on larger needles will produce a thick, cozy wrap in far fewer hours. Using a fingering or sport weight yarn will produce a lighter, more delicate shawl with beautiful drape, though it will take longer to complete.
Cast On
Using the long-tail cast-on method (or any stretchy cast-on you prefer), cast on 100 stitches. Take a moment to count your stitches carefully before you begin the first row — it is much easier to catch a mistake now than after several rows of pattern work.
Border Setup
Rows 1–6 (Garter Stitch Border):
Row 1 (RS): Sl1, knit to end.
Row 2 (WS): Sl1, knit to end.
Repeat rows 1 and 2 two more times for a total of 6 rows. This creates a 3-ridge garter border at the cast-on edge that will mirror the border you work at the bind-off end.
Main Body
The main body of the Relax Shawl is worked in the Textured Ridge Stitch, a simple pattern that creates horizontal bands of texture across the shawl. The pattern repeat is 8 rows.
Row 1 (RS): Sl1, k2, k5, p5; rep from to last 7 sts, k7.
Row 2 (WS): Sl1, k2, p5, k5; rep from to last 7 sts, p4, k3.
Row 3 (RS): Sl1, k2, k5, p5; rep from to last 7 sts, k7.
Row 4 (WS): Sl1, k2, p5, k5; rep from to last 7 sts, p4, k3.
Row 5 (RS): Sl1, k2, p5, k5; rep from to last 7 sts, p4, k3.
Row 6 (WS): Sl1, k2, k5, p5; rep from to last 7 sts, k7.
Row 7 (RS): Sl1, k2, p5, k5; rep from to last 7 sts, p4, k3.
Row 8 (WS): Sl1, k2, k5, p5; rep from to last 7 sts, k7.
Repeat rows 1 through 8 until the shawl measures approximately 70 inches from the cast-on edge, or until you have about 10 inches of yarn remaining for the bind-off and weaving in ends. End having completed either row 4 or row 8 so that you finish on a wrong side row.
Closing Border
Rows 1–6 (Garter Stitch Border):
Row 1 (RS): Sl1, knit to end.
Row 2 (WS): Sl1, knit to end.
Repeat rows 1 and 2 two more times for a total of 6 rows, matching the cast-on border.
Bind Off
Using a stretchy bind-off method, bind off all stitches loosely on the right side. A good option is the standard bind-off worked with needles one or two sizes larger than what you used for the body of the shawl — this will keep the edge from pulling in and ensure the shawl lies flat after blocking. Another great option is the classic Elizabeth Zimmermann sewn bind-off for a supremely stretchy, elegant edge.
Finishing
Cut the yarn, leaving a tail of about 10 inches, and draw the tail through the last stitch to secure it. Use your yarn needle to weave in both the cast-on tail and the bind-off tail securely through several stitches of the same color on the wrong side, alternating directions to prevent them from working loose over time.
Blocking
Blocking is the step that transforms a knitted piece from something that looks hand-knitted in a rough, unfinished way to something that looks polished, professional, and intentional. For the Relax Shawl, blocking makes a significant difference in the drape and the appearance of the stitch pattern.
Fill a basin or clean sink with cool to lukewarm water. Gently submerge the finished shawl and press it down until it is fully saturated — do not agitate or wring it. Allow it to soak for 20 to 30 minutes, then gently lift it out of the water, supporting the full weight of the wet fabric. Roll it in a clean towel and press firmly to remove excess water without twisting.
Lay the shawl flat on a blocking mat or clean carpet and use rustproof blocking pins to pin it out to the finished measurements, gently coaxing the edges straight and smoothing out the fabric. Pay particular attention to the short ends, making sure the garter borders lie flat. Allow the shawl to dry completely before removing the pins — depending on the fiber and your environment, this may take 24 to 48 hours.
Once dry and unpinned, give the shawl a gentle press with a damp cloth and a steam iron held just above the surface if the fiber allows for it (always check your yarn label). The finished shawl will feel softer, look more even, and drape beautifully.
Yarn Substitution Tips
One of the joys of a simple pattern like the Relax Shawl is that it is an excellent vehicle for exploring different yarns. Here are a few things to keep in mind when choosing a substitute.
Drape matters enormously in a shawl. Yarns with more drape — those with silk, bamboo, or Tencel content, or those spun loosely as a single ply — will produce a shawl that flows and falls softly. Yarns with more structure — tightly plied wools, acrylics, or cotton — will produce a shawl with more body and stiffness. Neither is wrong, just different in feel and character.
Color depth in the yarn will affect how visible the stitch pattern is. Solid or semi-solid colorways will show the textured ridges clearly and beautifully. Highly variegated or speckled yarns will create a more colorful, lively fabric where the texture is secondary to the color play. Both approaches are wonderful choices depending on the effect you want.
If you are using a yarn with a yardage significantly different from the stated amount, do a simple calculation: knit a few pattern repeats and measure how many yards you used per inch of length. Multiply that number by 72 to estimate your total yardage needs, adding about 10 percent as a buffer.
Customizing the Relax Shawl
This pattern is intentionally designed to be a starting point rather than a rigid blueprint. Here are a few ways to make it your own.
Make it wider. Add stitches to the cast-on in multiples of 10. Each additional 10 stitches will add approximately 2.2 inches of width. Keep in mind that a wider shawl will also use more yarn per row, so plan your yardage accordingly.
Make it longer. Simply keep knitting! The main body section can be extended as far as your yarn supply allows. A longer shawl can be wrapped multiple times or worn differently, and it makes a wonderful gift for someone who loves to be cozy.
Add a simple lace edge. After completing the closing garter border but before binding off, work one row of k1, yo, k2tog across the right side to create a simple eyelet edge. This adds a delicate, airy quality to the ends of the shawl and is a beautiful detail that takes only minutes to add.
Try a striped version. Because the stitch pattern changes texture every four rows, the shawl is a perfect candidate for stripes. You can carry two colors along the edge and alternate every two or four rows for a subtle striped effect, or make bold, wide stripes by switching yarns every 8 or 16 rows. The garter borders will show the stripes cleanly if you plan your color changes to begin at the start of a row.
Use gradient or ombre yarn. A single skein of gradient yarn knitted from one end to the other will produce a shawl that transitions smoothly from one color to another across its length, creating a beautiful visual effect with zero extra effort.
Care Instructions
Always follow the care instructions on your yarn label, as different fibers have very different requirements. As a general guide, most wool and wool-blend shawls can be hand washed in cool water with a gentle wool wash and laid flat to dry. Many superwash wools and synthetic blends can be machine washed on a gentle cycle in a mesh laundry bag. Avoid hanging a wet knitted shawl to dry, as the weight of the water can stretch the fabric out of shape.
Store your finished shawl folded loosely in a drawer or on a shelf rather than hanging it. If using a natural fiber such as wool or alpaca, keep it with cedar balls or lavender sachets to discourage moths.
A Few Words on the Joy of Knitting Shawls
If you have never knitted a shawl before, this project may open a door you will never want to close. Shawls are endlessly versatile as both projects and finished objects. They are portable, since most of the work is flat and easy to carry in a project bag. They are forgiving, since gauge does not need to be precise. They make beautiful, heartfelt gifts, since they are large and wearable and clearly represent a significant investment of time and care. And they offer a kind of knitting experience that is different from socks or sweaters — a wide, rhythmic, meditative flow of rows that grows visibly with each session at the needles.
The Relax Shawl in particular was designed to be the kind of project you reach for when you want the comfort of knitting without the anxiety of a complicated pattern. It is knitting as self-care. It is the perfect project for a rainy afternoon, a long flight, a slow Sunday morning with a cup of tea. And when you are finished, you will have something warm, beautiful, and entirely your own to show for it.
Cast on, settle in, and enjoy every single stitch. The Relax Shawl is waiting for you.
