6 Best Shawl Pins For Securing Accessories To Try
Elevate your knitwear with our top six shawl pins. Learn how these functional, stylish accessories keep your wraps secure and add flair to any ensemble today.
A well-chosen shawl pin is the functional jewelry that keeps your hard-earned stitches from slipping off your shoulders. After two decades at the needles, I’ve learned that the right fastener does more than just secure fabric; it protects the integrity of your yarn. Whether you are draping a heavy wool wrap or a delicate lace triangle, the hardware you choose changes how the garment hangs. Let’s explore the best options to ensure your accessories stay exactly where you put them.
Jul Designs Pewter Shawl Pin: The Classic Choice
There is a reason you see Jul Designs pins at every major fiber festival. These pewter pieces offer a substantial weight that anchors heavy, rustic wools without sagging or distortion.
The intricate, cast-metal detailing provides a vintage aesthetic that pairs beautifully with hand-dyed yarns. Because they are made of pewter, they possess a slight malleability, allowing you to gently adjust the pin’s tension to suit the thickness of your fabric.
However, be mindful of the weight. On very fine lace, these can pull at the fibers if not woven through enough structural stitches. Always aim to catch a few strands of the knitting rather than just the open yarn-overs.
Knitter’s Pride Nova Cubics Shawl Pin: Ergonomic
If you struggle with hand fatigue or find traditional straight pins difficult to grasp, the Nova Cubics line is a revelation. The cuboid shape offers flat surfaces that provide a natural grip, making them easier to manipulate for those with arthritis or limited dexterity.
The nickel-plated brass finish is incredibly slick, which is a double-edged sword. It slides through dense, felted wool like butter, but it may require a bit more care to ensure it doesn’t slide out of looser, silkier fibers.
I recommend these for knitters who prioritize function over ornate decoration. They are utilitarian workhorses that won’t distract from the stitch pattern of your shawl.
Namaste Bamboo Shawl Pin: Best for Delicate Knits
Bamboo is the gold standard for delicate fibers like mohair, silk, or angora. The natural friction of the wood acts as a "brake," preventing the pin from migrating out of your fabric while you’re walking or moving.
Because bamboo is lightweight, it won’t distort the drape of a gossamer-thin shawl. It is gentle on the fibers, lacking the sharp, snag-prone edges sometimes found on cheaper metal alternatives.
Just remember that wood can be porous. If you’ve just blocked a damp shawl, let it dry completely before pinning, as moisture can occasionally cause natural wood to swell or darken the fibers.
Della Q Maker’s Stick Pin: Sleek Modern Design
The Della Q Maker’s Stick Pin is for the knitter who loves a clean, industrial look. These pins are minimalist, sturdy, and designed to look like a high-end accessory rather than a craft tool.
Their length is a standout feature, making them ideal for bulky cowls or thick, squishy garter stitch wraps. You have plenty of surface area to weave the pin through multiple layers of fabric, ensuring a secure hold even on heavy garments.
The trade-off is their length; they can be a bit cumbersome on smaller, neck-hugging shawls. Use these when you have plenty of fabric to work with to prevent the pin from feeling like a dangling hazard.
Lantern Moon Ebony Shawl Pin: Luxury Wood Finish
Ebony is a dense, hard wood that takes a high polish, making it the luxury choice for a finished garment. These pins feel like silk in your hands and glide through yarn without catching on even the most delicate plies.
The dark, rich color provides a sophisticated contrast to lighter, natural-colored yarns. It’s a beautiful way to elevate a simple stockinette shawl into a piece that feels truly heirloom-quality.
Because they are so smooth, they can be slippery. If you are using these on a superwash wool—which is already quite slick—ensure you weave the pin through a "braid" of stitches rather than a single loop to keep it locked in place.
Cocoknits Leather Pointed Pin: Best Minimalist
Cocoknits has mastered the art of "less is more." Their leather-pointed pins are perfect for the knitter who wants the shawl to be the star, not the hardware.
The leather creates a soft, tactile connection with the yarn that metal simply can’t replicate. It is incredibly gentle on fibers, making it my top recommendation for hand-spun yarns that might have uneven thickness or delicate, fragile sections.
These pins are best suited for lighter-weight shawls. If you try to use them on a heavy, cabled wool wrap, the leather may bend or fail to hold the weight of the fabric effectively.
How to Choose the Right Pin for Your Shawl Weight
The weight of your yarn dictates the mechanics of your pin. A heavy, worsted-weight wool shawl needs a pin with a thick gauge and a secure closure to handle the gravity of the fabric.
Conversely, a lace-weight shawl requires a pin with a fine, smooth tip. If the pin is too thick, it will stretch the yarn-overs and leave permanent gaps in your delicate lace pattern.
- Lace/Fingering: Choose thin, smooth pins (bamboo or polished wood).
- DK/Worsted: Medium-weight metal or wood pins are ideal.
- Bulky/Chunky: Use long, sturdy metal pins with a wide reach.
Avoiding Snags: Protecting Your Hand-Knit Fibers
Snags happen when the tip of a pin is too sharp or the finish has been compromised. Before using any metal pin, run the tip against a piece of scrap fabric to ensure there are no burrs or rough spots.
If you are working with mohair or brushed fibers, avoid pins with intricate, open-work designs. These fibers love to catch on decorative metal loops, leading to frustrating tangles that can ruin your work.
Always insert the pin through the "meat" of the stitch, not just the yarn-over. This distributes the tension and prevents the pin from tearing through the individual plies of your yarn.
Metal vs. Wood: Selecting the Best Pin Material
Metal pins are durable and offer a sleek, professional aesthetic. They are excellent for everyday wear, but they can be cold to the touch and slippery in high-twist, superwash yarns.
Wood pins offer a warmer, more organic feel. They provide natural grip, which is a lifesaver for slippery synthetic blends or silk-heavy yarns that tend to "travel" throughout the day.
Ultimately, your choice should depend on the fiber content of your shawl. If your yarn is naturally slick, choose wood to add friction; if your yarn is "grabby" or rustic, metal will glide through much more easily.
Troubleshooting Common Shawl Pin Slippage Issues
If your pin keeps sliding out, you are likely not catching enough fabric. Try weaving the pin in and out of the fabric three or four times, like a needle through a seam, rather than just poking it through once.
Another trick is to use the "locking" method. If your pin has a separate stick and head, ensure the stick is woven under a layer of fabric and then over the top of another to create a mechanical lock.
If you find that your pin is still migrating, your shawl may be too loose in gauge. A quick steam block can help tighten the stitches, giving the pin more structure to hold onto throughout the day.
The perfect shawl pin is a balance between aesthetic appeal and practical security. By matching your pin’s material and weight to your specific yarn, you ensure that your hand-knit accessories remain both beautiful and functional. Take the time to test your pin with your chosen project before heading out the door, and you will never have to worry about your shawl slipping away. Happy knitting, and may your stitches always stay exactly where you intend them to be.
