Start Your Machine Knitting Journey with the Waterfalls Bias Shawl

You’ve got your brand new knitting machine, maybe the Silver Reed LK 150, and you’re ready to cast on your first project, now what? Step into the world of machine knitting with confidence and creativity with the Waterfalls Bias Shawl. Elegant in its simplicity and designed to help you build essential skills, this project is the perfect starting point.

Taught by Barb Barone in our brand new Machine Knitting: Basics course at the School of SweetGeorgia, this shawl is more than just a first project; it’s your gateway to everything machine knitting can be. If you’re ready to explore what’s possible, we’ve got the patterns to get you started.

Waterfalls Shawl — Machine Knit
The Waterfalls Bias Shawl, designed by Barb Barone

Machine Knitting: Basics

Using a knitting machine is both exciting and meticulous. At first glance, it might seem like simply sliding the carriage back and forth, but there is so much more to this craft. Barb Barone has spent years mastering the art of machine knitting. What first drew her in was the beauty of perfectly even stitches and consistent gauge in every piece of knitted fabric.

Through patience and hands-on experience, Barb has learned to create a wide range of patterns on her machine. For her, the knitting machine became more than a time-saving tool, it became a way to produce smooth, professional-quality fabric with remarkable precision.

Silver Reed LK 150 Knitting Machine

Machine knitting is often seen as a way to produce simple panels of stockinette fabric, but it offers so much more. In the Machine Knitting: Basics course, Barb Barone shows how to shape fabric beautifully using increases and decreases. The result is the Waterfalls Bias Shawl, a striking project that flows effortlessly across the needles and highlights the creative potential of your machine.

Waterfalls Bias Shawl

Waterfalls bias shawl
Waterfalls bias shawl
Waterfalls bias shawl
The Waterfalls Bias Shawl is knit in SweetGeorgia Trifecta Fine in Old Letters and SweetGeorgia Silk Mist in Sangria

As you can see in the photograph, this piece shines whether worn as a shawl or styled as a scarf. Knit with three skeins of SweetGeorgia Trifecta Fine in Old Letters, held double with three skeins of SweetGeorgia Silk Mist in Sangria, the fabric has a soft drape and irresistible warmth, perfect for wrapping up in cooler months. The combination of two yarns and colourways adds beautiful depth and dimension, while the touch of silk mohair creates a gentle halo you’ll want to sink into.

Explore More in the School of SweetGeorgia

This is just the beginning of what’s to come at the School of SweetGeorgia. In 2026, we’ll be adding even more to our machine knitting library, including projects for hats, socks, and lace. This Machine Knitting: Basics course includes two additional patterns, which we’ll be sharing with you in the coming weeks.

Can’t wait? You can preview all the patterns now by heading straight to the course. And don’t forget, School of SweetGeorgia members receive these patterns for free. Prefer to purchase just the pattern without the course? It’s also available in the SweetGeorgia shop.

Waterfalls bias shawl
Print

Waterfalls Bias Shawl

Equipment

Materials

Instructions

  • Download the pattern from the SweetGeorgia Shop or from the Knitting Machine: Basics materials page in the School of SweetGeorgia.
  • Set up the LK 150 according to the instructions in the pattern. Be sure to adjust the stitch size and tension guide to the recommended settings.
    Knitting machine yarn mast
  • Cast on using your preferred closed cast-on method.
  • Set the row counter to zero, then follow the pattern instructions for knitting the repeats on both even and odd rows.
  • Continue knitting until you run out of needles. Then, reposition the stitches as instructed in the pattern.
  • Continue knitting until you reach the desired length.
  • Bind off using your preferred method.
  • Cut the yarn, remove the ravel cord, and weave in the ends.
  • Wet block your shawl, wear it proudly, and get ready for compliments!
    Waterfalls shawl

More About Barb Barone

Want to Learn More About the Fibre Arts?

Join the School of SweetGeorgia! One of the great perks of being an All-Access member is the opportunity to ask Barb Barone questions about their courses and connect with fellow members.

Explore our online courses and community of fibre arts makers at the School of SweetGeorgia! Use the code: EXPLORETHESCHOOL to save 15% on an All-Access monthly membership!

Find more of Barb’s patterns soon in our Machine Knitting Projects!

The post Start Your Machine Knitting Journey with the Waterfalls Bias Shawl appeared first on SweetGeorgia Yarns.



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