There’s something timeless about the right shawl. It doesn’t just keep you warm—it wraps you in a feeling. That’s exactly what Fortnight was designed to do. This oversized triangle shawl feels like something out of a different era—elegant, romantic, and rich with texture. Picture the world of Jane Austen or Little Women: quiet walks in the garden, candlelit evenings, and soft wool around your shoulders. And yet Fortnight is entirely at home in the modern world, too—just as striking over a ballgown as it is paired with jeans and boots.
Even better? Fortnight is an easy knit shawl pattern free for you! With bulky yarn and a simple blend of brioche and garter stitch, it’s fast, fun, and beginner-friendly, even if you’ve never tried brioche before. Whether you’re knitting it for a special occasion or as an everyday comfort piece, Fortnight promises to deliver that beautiful mix of ease and drama that makes shawl knitting so satisfying.
A Shawl That Feels Like a Story
When I designed Fortnight, I was thinking of a formal wedding I was attending—something with candlelight and champagne, where elegance was the name of the game. I had a flowing gown, but I wanted something soft and substantial to wear with it. Not just any shawl. Something lush. Something romantic. And something I could actually knit in time.
That’s how Fortnight was born: a generous, swooping shawl with a bold brioche center and wide wings of garter stitch, all finished with a crisp i-cord edge. It looked stunning over the gown. But once the wedding was over, I realized just how wearable it really was. Tossed over a long-sleeve tee, it became part of my regular wardrobe. It dressed up my simplest outfits and added a little luxury to even the most ordinary days.
There’s something magical about a shawl like that—one that feels a little like a costume piece but works in real life. Something big and squishy that you can wrap up in, but that still feels polished and put-together. That’s the magic of Fortnight.
Why This Easy Knit Shawl Pattern is Free, Fast, and Fun
I called it Fortnight because it’s not just inspired by another era—it’s also a nod to the time it takes to make it. A “fortnight” means two weeks, and this shawl really can be finished in that time. My test knitters and I tried it out, and all five of us finished our shawls in under 14 days—even one who had never worked a single brioche stitch before.
How is that possible for such a large piece? It’s all about the yarn and the rhythm. Fortnight is knit in bulky weight yarn, which means the stitches are big, the fabric builds quickly, and you’ll see satisfying progress every time you pick it up. The structure is intuitive: a central brioche spine flanked by long garter stitch wings, shaped with gentle decreases and finished off with an i-cord bind-off for a tidy edge.
If you’ve been looking for an easy knit shawl pattern free from fussy techniques or complicated shaping, this is it. You’ll get just enough variety to keep things interesting, but the bulk of the shawl is knit in relaxing, meditative garter stitch. It’s the kind of project you can settle into on a cozy evening, a weekend road trip, or any stretch of time when you want your hands to be busy but your mind to be at ease.
And because the pattern includes both written and charted instructions—plus video tutorials for the brioche sections—it’s a perfect project even if you’re new to the technique. The brioche might look intricate, but with a little guidance and some squishy yarn, it’s surprisingly simple to pick up.
What You’ll Need to Knit Your Own Fortnight
You only need a few key materials to make your own Fortnight, starting with three colors of bulky weight yarn. The sample uses Magpie Fibers Quartet Bulky, a 100% superwash merino yarn that brings amazing bounce and definition to both the garter and the brioche. It comes in a rich palette of colors, and you can play with bold contrast or subtle shifts depending on your personal style.
For the small size, you’ll need approximately 80 yards each of your edge and accent colors (Color A and Color B), and around 400 yards of your main color (Color C). For the larger size, bump those numbers up slightly to 95 yards for A and B, and 500 yards for C. Just keep in mind that yardage can vary depending on your gauge, tension, and yarn choice—so always give yourself a little extra wiggle room.
You’ll also need a pair of US 11 (8.00 mm) circular needles. Even though this shawl is knit flat, circulars are best to accommodate the large number of stitches. Gauge is 10 stitches and 24 rows per 4 inches in garter stitch, but don’t stress if you’re a little off—as long as you like the fabric you’re getting, you’ll be fine.
The pattern includes clear instructions for all techniques used, including an i-cord cast-on and bind-off, basic decreases, and a beginner-friendly brioche panel. If you’re dipping your toe into brioche for the first time, this free shawl knitting pattern is a wonderful place to start.
More Details for Fortnight
Size
Wingspan: 73.5 (87.5)”/187 (222) cm
Depth: 28 (32)”/71 (81) cm
Gauge
10 sts & 24 rows = 4”/10 cm in garter stitch
Yarn
3 colors of bulky weight yarn: A & B – 80 (95) yds and C – 400 (500) yds
Recommended Yarn:
Magpie Fibers Quartet Bulky (100% SW Merino) 106 yds/100 g – 1 skein each Fior di Latte (A) & Harpoon (B) and 4 (5) skeins of Bougie Beaver (C)
Remember! Weight and yardage recommendation are a well calculated starting point. Both are effected by many factors like fiber type, spin, ply, and more, so be sure to give yourself some wiggle room!
Needles & Notions
US 11/8.00 mm needles (circulars recommended to accommodate stitches) or needles needed to obtain gauge!
Tapestry needle
Techniques to Indulge In
Garter Stitch
Decreases
Written & charted instructions
Brioche Pattern (written and video instructions included for each technique to make them beginner friendly!)
I-Cord CO & BO
Glossary for Easy Shawl Knitting Pattern (Free)
CO – cast on
BO – bind off
RS – “right side” or the front
WS – “wrong side” or the back
st(s) – stitch(es)
k – knit
k2tog – knit 2 sts together
k2tog tbl – knit 2 sts together through the back loops
ssk – slip 2 stitches knit wise, return the stitches to the left needle and knit them together through the back loop
sl – slip stitch purlwise with yarn in back unless otherwise noted
wyif – with yarn in front – where to hold the yarn when slipping stitches
Brioche Abbreviations & Techniques
sl1yo – slip 1 yarn over – Wrap the yarn over over the top of the slipped stitch.
brk – brioche knit – Knit the slipped stitch together with its wrapped yarn over.
brp – brioche purl – Purl the slipped stitch together with its wrapped yarn over.
br4st inc – brioche 4-stitch increase (worked in 1 st to end with 5 sts) – k1, yo, k1, yo, k1 into the same stitch.
brkyobrk – brioche 2-stitch increase (worked in 1 st to end with 3 sts) – k1, yo, k1 into the same stitch.
brRsl dec – brioche right-slant decrease (two stitches decreased) – Slip 1 stitch knit wise and knit the second stitch. Pass the slipped stitch over the knitted stitch. Return the knitted stitch to the right hand needle and pass the next stitch over the knitted stitch. Return the stitch to the left hand needle. — See it in action on this YouTube video: How To: brRsl (brioche right slant decrease) by The Unapologetic Knitter.
brLsl dec – brioche left-slant decrease (two stitches decreased) – Slip 1 stitch knit wise. Knit the next two stitches together. Pass the slipped stitch over the knitted stitch. See it on YouTube: How To: brLsl (brioche left slant decrease) by The Unapologetic Knitter.
Notes for Fortnight
Want to see the i-cord cast on and bind off in action? See it on YouTube: I-Cord Cast On and I-Cord Bind Off by Stephen West.
For the i-cord cast on and bind off, I used a needle two sizes larger than the project needle to help keep the cord loose.
Still not sure about the I-cord? No sweat! You can sub in a long-tail cast on and a simple BO, just be sure to switch out the first and last 3 sts on the Center Panel Increase section for a single row of color A knits (RS) and purls (WS).
For color B in the brioche panel, when ending a row, be sure to always keep the yarn on the RS. This allows you to keep a clean edge since you begin every color B RS row with the yarn in front (RS side) as if to purl and every color B WS row with yarn in back (RS side) as if to knit.
When picking up stitches along the center panel, there will be one stitch picked up for each A stitch. I also picked up a strand of B every other stitch to strengthen the connection between the panel and wings, which also helped hide the pick up line on the WS and make the free shawl knitting pattern fully reversible.
The Shawl Knitting Pattern: Now Free!
Center Panel Increase
Using color A, CO 3 sts and work an i-cord for 4 rounds. Pick up 3 sts along the length of the I-cord and 3 sts along the cast on – 9 sts. Slide sts to opposite end of the needle to begin another RS row of the easy knit shawl pattern (free).
Set Up Row 1, B: Sl 3, k3, sl 3 – 9 sts.
Set Up Row 2, A (WS): Sl1 wyif, k1, sl1 wyif, sl1yo, p, sl1yo, sl1 wyif, k1, sl1 wyif.
Set Up Row 2, B (WS): Sl3, brk, sl1yo, brk, sl3.
Row 1, A (RS): K1, sl1 wyif, k1, sl1yo, br4st inc, sl1yo, k1, sl1 wyif, k1 – 13 sts.
Row 1, B (RS): Sl3, brp, [sl1yo, p1] 2 times, sl1yo, brp, sl3.
Row 2, A: Sl1 wyif, k1, sl1 wyif, [sl1yo, brp] 3 times, sl1yo, sl1 wyif, k1, sl1 wyif.
Row 2, B: Sl3, [brk, sl1yo] 3 times, brk, sl3.
Row 3, A: K1, sl1 wyif, k1, sl1yo, brk, sl1yo, br4st inc, sl1yo, brk, sl1yo, k1, sl1 wyif, k1 – 17 sts.
Row 3, B: Sl3, [brp, sl1yo] 2 times, [p1, sl1yo] 2 times, brp, sl1yo, brp, sl3.
Row 4, A: Sl1 wyif, k1, sl1 wyif, [sl1yo, brp] 5 times, sl1yo, sl1 wyif, k1, sl1 wyif.
Row 4, B: Sl3, [brk, sl1yo] 5 times, brk, sl3.
Row 5, A: K1, sl1 wyif, k1, [sl1yo, brk, sl1yo, brkyobrk] 2 times, sl1yo, brk, sl1yo, k1, sl1 wyif, k1 – 21 sts
Row 5, B: Sl3, [brp, sl1yo] 2 times, p1, [sl1yo, brp] 2 times, sl1yo, p1, [sl1yo, brp] 2 times, sl3.
Row 6, A: Sl1 wyif, k1, sl1 wyif, [sl1yo, brp] 7 times, sl1yo, sl wyif, k1, sl1 wyif.
Row 6, B: Sl3, [brk, sl1yo] 7 times, brk, sl3.
Row 7, A: K1, sl1 wyif, k1, sl1yo, brk, sl1yo, brkyobrk, [sl1yo, brk] 3 times, sl1yo, brkyobrk, sl1yo, brk, sl1yo, k1, sl1 wyif, k1 – 25 sts.
Row 7, B: Sl3, [brp, sl1yo] 2 times, p1, [sl1yo, brp] 4 times, sl1yo, p1, [sl1yo, brp] 2 times, sl3.
Row 8, A: Sl1 wyif, k1, sl1 wyif, [sl1yo, brp] 9 times, sl1yo, sl1 wyif, k1, sl1 wyif.
Row 8, B: Sl3, [brk, sl1yo] 9 times, brk, sl3.
Row 9, A: K1, sl1 wyif, k1, sl1yo, brk, sl1yo, brkyobrk, [sl1yo, brk] 5 times, sl1yo, brkyobrk, sl1yo, brk, sl1yo, k1, sl1 wyif, k1 – 29 sts.
Row 9, B: Sl3, [brp, sl1yo] 2 times, p1, [sl1yo, brp] 6 times, sl1yo, p1, [sl1yo, brp] 2 times, sl3.
Row 10, A: Sl1 wyif, k1, sl1 wyif, [sl1yo, brp] 11 times, sl1yo, sl1 wyif, k1, sl1 wyif.
Row 10, B: Sl3, [brk, sl1yo] 11 times, brk, sl3.
Row 11, A: K1, sl1 wyif, k1, sl1yo, brkyobrk, [sl1yo, brk] 9 times, sl1yo, brkyobrk, sl1yo, k1, sl1 wyif, k1 – 33 sts.
Row 11, B: Sl3, brp, sl1yo, p1, [sl1yo, brp] 10 times, sl1yo, p1, sl1yo, brp, sl3.
Row 12, A: Sl1 wyif, k1, sl1 wyif, [sl1yo, brp] 13 times, sl1yo, sl1 wyif, k1, sl1 wyif.
Row 12, B: Sl3, [brk, sl1yo] 13 times, brk, sl3.
Row 13, A: K1, sl1 wyif, k1, sl1yo, brkyobrk, [sl1yo, brk] 11 times, sl1yo, brkyobrk, sl1yo, k1, sl1 wyif, k1 – 37 sts.
Row 13, B: Sl3, brp, sl1yo, p1, [sl1yo, brp] 12 times, sl1yo, p1, sl1yo, brp, sl3.
Row 14, A: BO 2 sts, k1 [sl1yo, brp] 15 times, sl1yo, sl1 wyif, k1, sl1wyif, turn and BO 2 sts – 33 sts.
Row 14, B: Sl1, [brk, sl1yo] 15 times, brk, sl1.
Center Panel Repeat for the Easy Free Knit Shawl Pattern
Row 1, A (RS): K1, [sl1yo, brk] 3 times, sl1yo, brRsl dec, [sl1yo, brk] 2 times, sl1yo, br4st inc, [sl1yo, brk] 2 times, sl1yo, brLsl dec, [sl1yo, brk] 3 times, sl1yo, k1.
Row 1, B (RS): Sl1, [brp, sl1yo] 7 times, p1, sl1yo, p1, [sl1yo, brp] 7 times, sl1.
Row 2, A (WS): P1, [sl1yo, brp] 15 times, sl1yo, p1.
Row 2, B (WS): Sl1, [brk, sl1yo] 15 times, brk, sl1.
Row 3, A: K1, [sl1yo, brk] 2 times, sl1yo, brRsl dec, [sl1yo, brk] 2 times, sl1yo, brkyobrk, sl1yo, brk, sl1yo, brkyobrk, [sl1yo, brk] 2 times, sl1yo, brLsl dec, [sl1yo, brk] 2 times, sl1yo, k1.
Row 3, B: Sl1, [brp, sl1yo] 6 times, p1, [sl1yo, brp] 2 times, sl1yo, p1, [sl1yo, brp] 6 times, sl1.
Row 4, A: P1, [sl1yo, brp] 15 times, sl1yo, p1.
Row 4, B: Sl1, [brk, sl1yo] 15 times, brk, sl1.
Row 5, A: K1, sl1yo, brk, sl1yo, brRsl dec, [sl1yo, brk] 2 times, sl1yo, brkyobrk, [sl1yo, brk] 3 times, sl1yo, brkyobrk, [sl1yo, brk] 2 times, sl1yo, brLsl dec, sl1yo, brk, sl1yo, k1.
Row 5, B: Sl1, [brp, sl1yo] 5 times, p1, [sl1yo, brp] 4 times, sl1yo, p1, [sl1yo, brp] 5 times, sl1.
Row 6, A: P1, [sl1yo, brp] 15 times, sl1yo, p1.
Row 6, B: Sl1, [brk, sl1yo] 15 times, brk, sl1.
Row 7, A: K1, sl1yo, brRsl dec, [sl1yo, brk] 2 times, sl1yo, brkyobrk, [sl1yo, brk] 5 times, sl1yo, brkyobrk, [sl1yo, brk] 2 times, sl1yo, brLsl dec, sl1yo, k1.
Row 7, B: Sl1, [brp, sl1yo] 4 times, p1, [sl1yo, brp] 6 times, sl1yo, p1, [sl1yo, brp] 4 times, sl1.
Row 8, A: P1, [sl1yo, brp] 15 times, sl1yo, p1.
Row 8, B: Sl1, [brk, sl1yo] 15 times, brk, sl1.
Row 9, A: K1, [sl1yo, brk] 15 times, sl1yo, k1.
Row 9, B: Sl1, [brp, sl1yo] 15 times, brp, sl1.
Row 10, A: P1, [sl1yo, brp] 15 times, sl1yo, p1.
Row 10, B: Sl1, [brk, sl1yo] 15 times, brk, sl1.
Repeat Rows 1 – 10 three (four) more times. Then Repeat Rows 9 & 10 ONLY three more times.
2 Color I-cord Bind Off*: With A cable CO 1 st. [With A, k2, k2tog tbl, drop A & return the 3 sts to lefthand needle; with B, k2, k2tog tbl, drop B & return the 3 sts to lefthand needle] repeat from [] until the last st is worked. Using A, k1, k2tog tbl. Using B, k2tog tbl. Cut both A & B.
*Note: For best results ensure that the second stitch of the k2tog is the same color as the yarn you are knitting with. This will ensure that your I-cord stripes line up with the same color of your brioche lines.
Right Wing
Beginning on the bottom left corner, pick up 52 (62) sts, taking care to pick up the 3 sts in each i-cord.
Rows 1 & 3 (WS): Sl1 wyif, k1, sl1 wyif, k to last 3 sts, sl1 wyif, k1, sl1 wyif.
Row 2 (RS): K1, sl1 wyif, k1, ssk, k to last 2 sts, sl1 wyif, k1 – 51 (61) sts.
Row 4: K1, sl1 wyif, k to last 2 sts, sl1 wyif, k1.
Repeat Rows 1-4 forty-four (fifty-four) more times, and then repeat Rows 1-2 one additional time – 7 sts.
Row 5 (WS): Sl1 wyif, k1, sl1 wyif, k1, sl1 wyif, k1, sl1 wyif.
Row 6 (RS): K1, sl1 wyif, k1, k2tog, sl1 wyif, k1 – 6 sts.
Row 7: Sl1 wyif, k1, p2tog, k1, sl1 wyif – 5 sts.
Row 8: K1, sl1 wyif, k1, sl1 wyif, k1.
Row 9: Sl1 wyif, k1, sl1 wyif, k1, sl1 wyif.
Row 10: K1, k2tog, k2tog – 3 sts.
Row 11: Sl3.
Row 12: K3.
Row 13: Sl3.
Row 14: K1, k2tog – 2 sts.
Slip knitted stitch over the k2tog to BO. Cut yarn and pull through open loop.
Left Wing
Beginning on the top right corner, pick up 52 (62) sts, taking care to pick up the 3 sts in each I-cord.
Rows 1 & 3 (WS): Sl1 wyif, k1, sl1 wyif, k to last 3 sts, sl1 wyif, k1, sl1 wyif.
Row 2 (RS): K1, sl1 wyif, k to last 5 sts, k2tog, k1 sl1 wyif, k1 – 51 (61) sts.
Row 4: K1, sl1 wyif, k to last 2 sts, sl1 wyif, k1.
Repeat Rows 1-4 forty-four (fifty-four) more times, and then repeat Rows 1-2 one additional time – 7 sts.
Row 5 (WS): Sl1 wyif, k1, sl1 wyif, k1, sl1 wyif, k1, sl1 wyif.
Row 6 (RS): K1, sl1 wyif, k1, k2tog, sl1 wyif, k1 – 6 sts.
Row 7: Sl1 wyif, k1, p2tog, k1, sl1 wyif – 5 sts.
Row 8: K1, sl1 wyif, k1, sl1 wyif, k1.
Row 9: Sl1 wyif, k1, sl1 wyif, k1, sl1 wyif.
Row 10: K1, k2tog, k2tog – 3 sts.
Row 11: Sl3.
Row 12: K3.
Row 13: Sl3.
Row 14: K1, k2tog – 2 sts.
Slip knitted stitch over the k2tog to BO. Cut yarn and pull through open loop.
Finishing the Free & Easy Shawl Knitting Pattern
Weave in ends and block to measurements. Take care not to stretch the fabric when wet.
Pat brioche panel together. (If the panel gets overstretched, you can use a hairdryer on a warm, low setting to help tighten it back up—do not agitate when doing so.) Pin the the tip to create the V shape.
I did not stretch and pin this shawl as it was already the wingspan I desired, instead I shaped it to the measurements. If you’d like longer or deeper (or if using a lighter weight yarn) stretch away!
Wait until it’s dry, then unpin and enjoy! (And send me pics! It brings me such joy to see your projects!)
If you share photos of your Nurture Knitwear projects, please be sure to tag me @nurtureknitwear and use the hashtags #nurtureknitwear and #fortnightshawl.
Prefer a Printable Version?
If you’d rather not scroll through a blog or deal with ads, you can purchase a beautifully formatted, ad-free PDF version of the Fortnight pattern for just a few bucks. It’s perfect for printing, marking up, or saving to your favorite device for offline knitting.
The PDF includes everything you’ll find in the free version, but in a clean, easy-to-read layout—with written and charted instructions, helpful links, and space for notes. It’s a great option if you like having your patterns all in one place (or just want to support the designer!).
✨ Get the PDF on Ravelry
✨ Get the PDF on Etsy
Whether you download the easy knit shawl pattern free from the blog or grab the PDF for your project library, you’ll be ready to cast on something cozy and beautiful.
Cast On Today
There’s something incredibly rewarding about finishing a big, beautiful shawl—especially one that only takes a couple weeks to complete. Whether you’re knitting for a special event or simply to treat yourself to something luxurious and handmade, Fortnight delivers. It’s elegant without being fussy, romantic without being precious, and dramatic without being difficult.
If you’ve been searching for an easy knit shawl pattern free to download and dive into this season, I hope Fortnight is the one. You can grab the pattern today, choose your yarn, and get started on a shawl that feels like it came straight out of a novel—but is made for your modern life.
Ready to cast on? You’ll be wrapped in beauty before you know it.
