11 Colourful Stephen West Shawls to Cast On Now!
Stephen West, of Westknits, is an internationally recognized knitwear designer who is known for his use of colour and unique designs.
With over 500 patterns, Stephen West has made a major impact on the knitting community. You can find his patterns on Ravelry, Stephen and Penelope, Westknits, and in numerous books.
Colour pops and surprise texture really make his knit shawls an interesting and ever-changing experience to knit.
Knit Alongs
Knit Alongs (KALs) embrace the community that knitters have created. Several times a year, Stephen West will host KALs for his new patterns. It was through a KAL that I discovered his patterns!
Buy West Wool
In addition to designing beautiful knit patterns, Stephen West has his very own yarn brand and shop.
Buy West Wool at Stephen and Penelope.
https://www.stephenandpenelope.com
One day, I will be able to visit Amsterdam and check out their store in person.
All of the patterns listed below are from Stephen West. Credit is given to him as well as where to find their knitting patterns. I want to thank Stephen West for creating such interesting knit shawl designs.
Shawlography
Shawlography was my introduction to Stephen West shawls. This Westknits Mystery Shawl Knit Along from 2021 uses 5 colours of fingering weight yarn. Released in small segments, mystery knit alongs are so fun because you do not know what you are making. Colour placement and unique combinations of stitches create beautiful shawls that emerge as you work through the KAL. The pattern grows as little tidbits of the pattern are released.
This pattern creates textures using stripes, short rows, slip stitches, i-cord loops, bobbles, and welts.
Shawl Name: Shawlography Shawl
Designer: Stephen West
Find this shawl on Ravelry
Scraptastic Triangle
This playful knit shawl patterns uses leftover DK weight yarn (or two strands of fingering held together). Stephen West encourages you to mix textures and fuzzy fibres to create this unique and one of a kind shawl.
The Scraptastic Triangle shawl pattern comes in 2 sizes.
Shawl Name: Scraptastic Triangle Shawl
Designer: Stephen West
Find this shawl on Ravelry
Ribbing Please
This top down shawl is easily customizable to whatever size you can dream of. Mix DK and worsted weight yarns from your stash to create this beautiful ribbed shawl.
This would be a great pattern to introduce yourself to the world of colourful shawls.
Shawl Name: Ribbing Please Shawl
Designer: Stephen West
Find this shawl on Ravelry
Samen Shawl by Stephen West
This top down shawl uses lace or fingering weight in 6 different colours. Hold two strands together in this wide garter stitch stripe knit shawl for an easy project that is breathtaking.
I love the simple texture difference between the garter stitch stripe. Offset by bold colour choices, the simple pattern makes it look anything but simple.
Shawl Name: Samen Shawl
Designer: Stephen West
Find this shawl on Ravelry
Resplendence Shawl
This large knit shawl is knitted with 9 different colours and utilizes short rows to create the beautiful shaping of the stripes. Add a pop of texture with mohair on the eyelet strips adds a beautiful drape to this project.
Shawl Name: Resplendence Shawl
Designer: Stephen West
Find this shawl on Ravelry
Rain or Shine Knit Shawl Pattern
This cloudy knit shawl pattern is made with 5 shades of lace weight mohair silk. The colours blend beautifully together with a fading marl technique as you work garter and slip stitches.
Doesn’t it look so cosy? Like a knit hug!
Shawl Name: Rain or Shine Shawl
Designer: Stephen West
Find this shawl on Ravelry
Quadrangle Spires
This architecturally inspired wrap by Stephen West is knit from the center our and modularly joins the sections to form a square.
This wrap is so interesting to look at and I love the colour palette chosen for the photoshoot for this knit pattern. Stephen West always surprises with his use of colour and styling.
Shawl Name: Quadrangle Spires Shawl
Designer: Stephen West
Find this shawl on Ravelry
Pinwheel Pop Shawl
This seamless, modular garter stitch shawl is knit using 4 colours of fingering weight yarn.
Shawl Name: Pinwheel Pop Shawl
Designer: Stephen West
Find this shawl on Ravelry
Painting Rainbows Shawl
Do you need to knit a rainbow? Check out the Painting Rainbows shawl by Stephen West. This semi-circular shawl is a great way to use up mini-skeins or leftover bits of fingering weight yarn from your stash.
Shawl Name: Painting Rainbows Shawl
Designer: Stephen West
Find this shawl on Ravelry
Painting Stripes Shawl
Do you like the Painting Rainbows shawl above but don’t want a semi-circularly shawl? Check out Painting Stripes! This large shawl is composed of 3 sections for a seamless, modular construction.
This shawl could be a perfect way to bust through some of your scrap yarn or mini skeins – combining them in unique and fun ways.
Shawl Name: Painting Stripes Shawl
Designer: Stephen West
Find this shawl on Ravelry
Hoek
Shawl Name: Hoek Shawl
Designer: Stephen West
Find this shawl on Ravelry
The first shawl on this list was the first Stephen West pattern I ever knit, and the this shawl is the next one I will be casting on.
When searching through patterns for this article, I saw this shawl and was instantly intrigued by the shape of it. The colours on this shawl are subtle but a great way to use variegated or tonal yarns. Looking through the project pages on Ravelry has my head spinning with the colour possibilities.
Hoek is a top down shawl that starts as a triangle and then more increases cause the edge to change directions.
What is your next Stephen West pattern to cast on?
