5 Free Knitting Patterns for Comfort Shawls Offer Warmth & Love
Looking for simple, snuggly knitting patterns for shawls? These five free knitting patterns create warm comfort shawls for any charity
Comfort shawls have a long history in charity knitting, and for good reason. For anyone who is struggling — physically, emotionally, mentally — a comfort shawl is a way to knit a tangible source of love and support.
After all, what is a comfort shawl but a way to offer a constant hug made of fiber?
I have knitted comfort shawls for a friend suffering depression and a friend whose son had recently been deployed in the military. Many of my knitting friends have created shawls for individuals struggling with illness.
It isn’t difficult to find a beautiful free shawl knitting pattern; I’ve seen hundreds just online! However, many of these patterns are lacy, intricate shawls intended for lace-weight yarn.
That’s not a bad thing, of course. But some of us might prefer knitting shawls with a bit more substance to them. Warmer, snugglier, perhaps even more comforting.
(Or, perhaps all we have available is worsted-weight yarn, and so that’s what we want to use!)
For these purposes, here you will find a series of free knitting patterns for shawls that can be used to knit warm, cuddly shawls that are perfect to give as charity projects! They are divided by shape: rectangular wraps, then triangular shawls.
Cuddle Up with Rectangular Wraps
Photo: Purl Soho
- What you’ll need to make it: 900 yards worsted weight yarn (divided into multiple colors, or not, as you prefer); US Size 7 circular needles, at least 24″
- Why you’ll want to: This is one versatile pattern! You can follow the pattern directions exactly and change colors as called for. Or, you could change colors more or less often. You could not change colors at all, or use a variegated yarn. Regardless, this super-simple pattern uses seed stitch throughout, making it a comforting, relaxing, mindless knit!
- What you’ll need to make it: 1100 yards worsted weight yarn; US Size 7 needles
- Why you’ll want to: Want a little more of a challenge? Try this stylish rectangular wrap. It has an attractive basketweave-like design, and you can easily adapt it to make a scarf as well.
Cozy Up to Triangular Shawls
- What you’ll need to make it: About 400 yards worsted weight yarn; US Size 15 circular needles
- Why you’ll want to: Triangular shawls don’t get much easier than this! One thing I love about this design was that it was created to remain firmly on your shoulders, making it a particularly delightful comfort shawl! The name comes from the colorway of yarn used in the sample, but you can use any colorway you want.
Photo: maggieblueberry on Ravelry
- What you’ll need to make it: About 12 oz (just pile it onto your kitchen scale 😉) of any combination of yarn you’d like (this can include different weights and textures!); US Size 13 needles
- Why you’ll want to: As the name implies, you can knit this fabulous pattern with whatever you have in your stash! It’s really more of a recipe than a pattern, and as such, you’ll have lots of different options and opportunities for you to flex your creative muscles.
Photo: The Lamb & Kid Designs
- What you’ll need to make it: A total of 610 yards of worsted weight yarn (450 yards of a main color and 160 yards of a contrasting color); US Size 10 needles
- Why you’ll want to: This lovely triangular shawl uses an easy-to-memorize 8-row repeat slip stitch pattern to create the fabulous rippling effect. I just love a pattern that’s far easier than it appears. 😁
With any of these patterns, you can turn out as many warm, cuddly comfort shawls as you wish!
I need to read that today, that someone needs what I knit. Yesterday through my pastor I found out that all of the intricate hats I donated for the young kids for Christmas were instead thrown in a box and donated to a second hand place. Had told me they don’t need them this year, send them someplace else. I will. It really deflated my hope and heart. So this year they will go someplace that wants and needs them.
Oh, KJ, I’m so sorry that happened to you! If it’s any consolation, I’m sure that the second-hand shop that your hats went to were greatly appreciated by whomever got them. (I’ll bet they were delighted to find such beautiful hats!) Take heart–there is *definitely* someone out there who needs what you knit! ❤️
So sorry to hear this. it’s often best we find, to knit to order. Our group has knitted purple baby hats and xmas pudding hats for NICUs as requested and currently, cardigans and cot blankets for hospitals. a Seaman’s mission requested scarves and hats for foreign sailors and also we have been asked by a vicar to provide warm accessories for asylum seekers and overnight shelter users for the coming winter.
Better to liaise and thus not be disappointed.
Very true. I encourage all charity knitters to ask before they send, for this very reason. Thank you for all you do!
I’m so sorry to hear that. Obviously whoever decided to do that was not a knitter/crocheter! It’s a bit short sighted as cold weather is just around the corner for most areas of the country. Just know that maybe your hats are getting into the hands of those that will need it the most and not just those that your church helps. When I was an Educational Assistant I would start collecting hats and mittens at the end of the summer for the upcoming school year. That’s when I found the best deals and maybe that’s where your wonderful hats are going – to the neediest of school children. And sadly, there are very many of them.
The post from Kj 2023 is a couple years old but I can relate because when Heather and I made our yearly donation to Havin, a shelter for mothers with or without children, needing help from a domestic situation, we thought we were giving directly to the person and found out last year that our items were taken to the thrift store to sell. I understand the $ goes back to Havin but we were so disappointed that maybe the person in need wasn’t getting the warm hat, scarf or blanket first. We decided not to continue and I also learned to ask questions first because I was following what ‘Crafters’ did as they were doing what their church did. I really don’t think the other ladies knew or maybe it didn’t matter to them but I know I want to knit directly for the people in need.
Even though the comment you’re responding to is a few years old, it’s always a good reminder–so thanks for sharing, and for reminding!