Knit Lace Shawl || Free Knit Shawl With Hearts
Wrap yourself in this beautiful knit lace shawl with hearts — the Warming Hearts Sofa Shawl! Perfect for keeping warm on a cool day, this lace knit shawl features a simple repeat to form a lace heart pattern. Stunning and stylish, it's the perfect accessory to have laying out to grab anytime you need a little extra warmth. Keep this shawl for yourself or gift it to someone you love.
Note: the original pattern used Red Heart Dreamy yarn, which has since been discontinued. I've listed plenty of yarn alternatives below so you can still make this gorgeous knit lace shawl with hearts! Work this knit lace shawl with me.
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What you Will Learn
Lace knitting doesn't have to be hard. Learn along with me everything that you need to know to have success in making this knit lace shawl with hearts pattern.
- using circular needles with a flat project
- knit seed stitch
- knit two together
- slip, slip, knit
- reading a knitting chart
- center double decrease
- center treble decrease
- bind off in pattern
Circular Needles for Flat Knitting
You may be wondering if you can really use circular needles for this flat knit shawl. The answer is YES!
Using circular needles allows you to get more stitches on your needles. Straight needles are limited to the length that you are able to find. The longer that your straight needles are the more strain you will be putting on your shoulders, neck, elbows and wrists.
Circular needles allow you to get a large number of stitches on your needles without straining. Work your pattern just as you would if they were straight needles, turning your project after each row.
Gauge for Shawl Patterns
Gauge is not typically our favorite part of knitting. Although it can make or break your finished project when it comes to a garment, there is some wiggle room when making a shawl.
Shawls have some flexibility when it comes to matching gauge. If your gauge is slightly off your shawl will still turn out beautiful. Why would you want to work a gauge swatch then for this project?
Working a gauge swatch will help to ensure that you don't run out of yarn. If your gauge is much larger than the designer intended you have the possibility of running out of yarn before finishing your shawl. Be sure to check your gauge to make sure that you are relatively close so that you will be able to finish your project.
This is especially important when substituting yarn — since Red Heart Dreamy has been discontinued, you'll want to swatch your chosen alternative against the original gauge (15 sts and 20 rows = 4″/10 cm on US 10/6mm needles) before casting on for the full project.
Yarn Alternatives for This Knit Lace Shawl
Red Heart Dreamy was a beautifully soft, bulky (#5) 100% acrylic yarn — perfect for this drapey, cozy shawl. Since it's no longer available, here are the best substitutes that will give you a similar look and feel. All of these are 100% acrylic, easy-care, and widely available in the US. Remember to always work a gauge swatch when substituting yarn!
Caron Latte Cakes
Best for cozy softness and subtle color transitions. Caron Latte Cakes is a wonderful option if you're looking for a shawl that's as comfortable to wear as it is beautiful to knit. The long color changes create effortless visual interest throughout the lace pattern, while the plush acrylic blend gives the finished shawl a soft, cozy feel. Available in a variety of gorgeous color combinations, this yarn can turn a simple lace design into a stunning accessory. As with any yarn substitution, be sure to knit a gauge swatch before starting your project.
Caron Cloud Cakes
Best for soft gradients and effortless color changes. Caron Cloud Cakes features long color transitions that create beautiful visual interest without changing yarns. Its lightweight, soft texture and generous yardage make it a great choice for lace shawls and wraps with lovely drape. Available from Michaels, it's perfect when you want a cozy project with stunning color effects straight from the cake. Check out this one too.
Caron Macchiato Cakes
Best Michaels option. Best for gorgeous gradients and cozy elegance. Caron Macchiato Cakes brings together beautiful color transitions and a soft, lofty feel that works wonderfully in lace shawls. The long color changes do all the work for you, creating eye-catching results with minimal effort. Plus, the acrylic-wool blend adds warmth and a gentle halo that gives your finished shawl an extra-special look and feel.
Video Tutorial
Through the video tutorial you will see that I am showing you a sample working one heart repeat. I will talk you through working each section of this repeat and what you would need to do to work the other panels of the shawl.
More Free Knit Shawl Patterns by Marly Bird
Love this knit lace shawl? I've got a whole collection of free knit shawl patterns for every skill level — from beginner-friendly garter stitch to beautiful lace and cable designs. Here are some of my favorites:
- Almond Brittle Knit Wrap — Beginner-friendly bulky lace knit wrap with a stunning textural effect. A great next project after this one!
- Shangri-La Knit Lace Shawl — A delicate, airy free knit lace pattern that works up as either a scarf or shawl. Perfect for lace lovers.
- Return to Me Boomerang Knit Shawl — Easy cables and lace combined in a beautiful boomerang shape. One of my most popular shawl patterns!
- Peak Serenity One Ball Knit Shawl — A beginner-friendly shawl that uses just one skein of yarn. Quick, satisfying, and beautiful.
- Lehabah Fire Sprite Shawl — Inspired by the Crescent City series, this stunning crescent shawl is perfect for fans of fantasy knitting.
- Eowyn Cable Knit Shawl — A textured right-triangle shawl with beautiful cable details. Great for knitters ready to level up.
- Blood of My Blood Outlander Shawl — A richly textured shawl inspired by Outlander. Perfect for cozy knitting season!
- Easy Beginner Garter Stitch Bias Knit Shawl — If you're brand new to shawl knitting, start here! Simple garter stitch in a bias construction makes this one completely beginner-friendly.
Other Resources for Knit Shawls
- Fixing mistakes in seed stitch
- DIY stitch markers
- Lifelines in knitting
- Unknitting/Tinking
- Free Knit Lace Shawl Patterns collection
- All Free Knit Shawl Patterns by Marly Bird
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I really use circular needles for a flat project like this shawl?
Yes, you absolutely can! Circular needles are a lifesaver when you have a lot of stitches on your needles. They help prevent strain on your shoulders, neck, and wrists compared to long straight needles. Just turn your work after each row like you would with straight needles.
Do I really need to worry about gauge for this shawl?
Honestly, gauge is a little more flexible with shawls than with garments. If your gauge is a bit off, your shawl will probably still be beautiful. The main reason to check it is to make sure you have enough yarn — you don't want to run out before you're done! This is especially important if you're substituting yarn.
What new knitting techniques will I learn with this pattern?
So here's the thing… this pattern is a great way to learn some fun new skills! You'll get to practice using circular needles for flat knitting, work with seed stitch, learn decreases like knit two together, slip slip knit, center double decrease, and center treble decrease. Plus, you'll learn how to read a knitting chart and bind off in pattern.
Where can I get the FREE pattern for this shawl?
You can snag the FREE knit shawl pattern over on Yarnspirations. Just click the link that says “FREE knit shawl pattern” and it will take you right there. It's such a lovely design, perfect for gifting or keeping!
Is there a video tutorial to help me if I get stuck?
Yes! I've got a video tutorial that walks you through working one heart repeat. It's super helpful to see it done step-by-step, and I'll explain how to work the other sections of the shawl as well. Grab your yarn and needles and let's knit together!
Red Heart Dreamy yarn is discontinued — can I still make this shawl?
Absolutely yes! The pattern itself is still available for free on Yarnspirations. You just need to find a substitute yarn with a similar weight and gauge. Look for a bulky (#5) acrylic yarn that knits to approximately 15 sts per 4 inches on US size 10 (6mm) needles. Check out the “Yarn Alternatives” section above for specific recommendations that are easy to find in the US.
What is the best yarn substitute for Red Heart Dreamy?
The best US-accessible substitutes for Red Heart Dreamy are: Red Heart With Love (same brand, soft, widely available), Caron One Pound (great value, excellent yardage), Lion Brand Heartland (beautiful colorways), and Loops & Threads Impressions (available at Michaels). Any of these will work beautifully for this knit lace shawl — just be sure to swatch to match the original gauge of 15 sts/20 rows = 4″ on US 10 needles.
Categories: Free Patterns, Knit Shawl Patterns, Knitting, Uncategorized, YouTube Video Tutorial
Thank you for all your videos! You have helped me grow in crochet and knitting!! I have learned sooo much!! You make it so easy! Both your explanations and visual examples are great!! ❤️❤️❤️