Pi Shawl Knitting: 10 Half Pi Shawls to Knit

I like to get a little punny on occasion, so when March 14th (or 3.14) also known as Pi-Day rolled around, I decided to round up the best Pi shawls on the internet.

“Pi (often represented by the lower-case Greek letter π), one of the most well-known mathematical constants, is the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter.  For any circle, the distance around the edge is a little more than three times the distance across.” - piday.org.

If you want to geek out and learn even more about Pi, go here for lots of interesting facts, history, equations.

What is Pi Knitting?

Pi knitting is using the mathematical equation of Pi to create shawls.

According to Interweave.com, the concept was originally created by the O.G. of knitting, Elizabeth Zimmerman.

She “realized that the application of a simple fact of geometry could make knitting a circular shawl significantly easier and more fun to knit.”

How do You Knit a Half Pi Shawl?

In this post, we will be looking at half pi shawls. Some of them are traditional half-circles while others, get creative with asymmetry. Check out #2 to see what I mean.

These Pi shawl recipes follow the formula that Elizabeth Zimmerman created and have put their own twist on it by adding lace, eyelets, gradient shading, and interesting edge details.

As always, I try to find some free knitting patterns so checkout #4, 8, and 9 for FREE half pi shawls.

How much Yarn do I need for a Half Pi Shawl?

The amount of yarn you will need for a half pi shawl varies from project to project.

It depends on the weight of the yarn (ie. lace, fingering, sport, worsted) as well as the overall size of the garment.

All of the patterns below make note of how much yarn you will need to complete that shawl.

Half pi shawls are a great way to try a new yarn, learn new stitches, try interesting color combinations, and have a lovely finished project when you’re done!

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10 Gorgeous Half Pi Shawl Knitting Patterns

Gradient Half Pi Shawl Knitting Pattern

#1. Gradient Half Pi Shawl Knitting Pattern

The Gradient Half Pi shows off beautiful cashmere lace, held double throughout to create the gradient and finished with elegant eyelets.

Uses lace weight yarn

Designed by Ann Weaver

Half Pi Crescent Moon Knitting Pattern

#2. Half Pi Crescent Moon Shawl Knitting Pattern

Create an interesting and eye catching asymmetrical shawl. Crescent Moon is worked from the top down. The first part of the shawl is worked in the contrast color and shaped like a half-pi shape, with increases in the eyelet rows. 

The body of the shawl is then worked in short row wedges. Width is added to the shawl with extra increases placed in the eyelet rows to create a small shawl with a lovely wearable shape. 
The edge is worked in pretty eyelet stripes with a thin garter border to finish.

Uses fingering weight yarn

Designed by Clare Devine

Cloud Half Pi Shawl Knitting Pattern

#3. Cloud Half Pi Shawl Knitting Pattern

This pattern is based on Elizabeth Zimmerman’s Pi shawl; it is a half pi shawl knit in garter stitch.

It can be knit as is for a perfectly simple shawl, or you can use it as a jumping off point to create your own half pi shawl.

Uses worsted weight yarn

Designed by Beatrice Perron Dahlen

Seaweed & Sand Half Pi Shawl Free Knitting Pattern

#4. Seaweed & Sand Half Pi Shawl Free Knitting Pattern

Lace takes center stage on this half pi shawl pattern. The designer, Jan Henley says the lace designs were inspired by the coastal flora and fauna on her local beaches.

It’s knitted from the top-down and includes both written and charted instructions.

Uses sport weight yarn

Designed by Jan Henley

Dreamy Moon Half Circle Shawl Knitting Pattern

#5. Half Circle Dreamy Moon Shawl Knitting Pattern

This elegant half circle shawl is a lace adventure; with leaves on a river, and sparks over the Moon. Beads can be added to increase its shine and glamour.

The pattern includes both written and chart directions. It’s knitted from the top-down.

Uses fingering weight yarn

Designed by Nuria Pastor

Dowland Half Pi Lace Shawl Knitting Pattern

#6. Dowland Half Pi Lace Shawl Knitting Pattern

Dowland is a top-down, half pi lace shawl featuring two classic traditional lace patterns—horseshoe and diamond laces.

While dimensions and yardage are provided for fingering weight, Dowland could effectively be worked in other yarn weights. Solid or tonal yarn is recommended in order to show off the design to its best advantage. The size may be easily increased up to a 66” wingspan by working additional repeats of Chart 8. Also included are detailed blocking instructions.

Uses fingering weight yarn

Designed by Dee O’Keefe

Midnight in Paris Half Pi Shawl Knitting Pattern

#7. Midnight in Paris Half Pi Shawl Knitting Pattern

Midnight in Paris shawl is a lovely half-pi shawl with texture interest and ever so fabulous fading colors. This easy construction creates a wonderfully wearable shawl that you can either wrap around your neck or just wear over the shoulders.

Lace parts are easily worked in-between all the shaping, so even the beginner lace knitters can enjoy them! Pick up your favorite color fade and enjoy the smooth changes of all the textures and colors.

Note: The lace is both charted and written out.

Uses fingering weight yarn

Designed by Veera Valimaki

Afternoon Tea Half Pi Shawl Free Knitting Pattern

#8. Afternoon Tea Half Pi Shawl Free Knitting Pattern

The Afternoon tea shawlette was designed with a 1950s style frock and a perfectly frosted cupcake in mind. This frothy, lacy little number is just perfect for wrapping around the shoulders. Although more for adornment than warmth, it could also be worn around the neck with a cardigan or coat to keep out a breeze.

And the best news is that the small size can be knitted up from a single skein of sock weight yarn - perfect for those beautiful, lonely, solo skeins in your stash.

Afternoon tea’s crescent shape creates a pretty drape around the shoulders and looks lovely in both the solid or variegated yarns suggested. The shape is a nod to Elizabeth Zimmermann’s Pi shawl with the number of stitches roughly doubling at every increase row.

This could make an ideal project for those dipping their toe into lace knitting as the lace patterns in the shawl are quite straightforward.

So get out your vintage china, whip up some cakes and invite your friends around for a nice cup of tea.

Uses fingering weight yarn

Designed by Helen Steward

Miami Vice Pi Shawl Free Knitting Pattern

#9. Miami Vice Pi Shawl Free Knitting Pattern

This is a very lacy half Pi shaped shawl perfect for the beginner or for someone looking for a fast fun knit. In worsted weight yarn, you can easily knit it up in two days.

Uses worsted weight yarn

Designed by Hilary Latimer

Fellowship Half Pi Shawl Knitting Pattern

#10. Fellowship Half Pi Shawl Knitting Pattern

This half-circle pi shawl is based on characters of the Fellowship of the Ring, featured in the novel The Lord of the Rings, by J.R.R. Tolkien. Each of the nine members of the Fellowship are represented in this shawl by a distinct lace chart.

Uses fingering weight yarn

Designed by Amy Noelle Walker

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10 Half Pi Shawl Knitting Patterns to Put on Your Needles Now!
shawl patterns, knitting patterns, knitting ideasNancy Queen2 Comments