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| True Blue Shawlette |
On most occasions, I try to keep my knitting fairly seasonal (or representative of the months to come). I'm sure that's why I bought this yarn and started this shawlette months ago, only to get hung up by my uncooperative forearms. Now that I've finally finished the piece, though, we should all just pretend it's summer again, and that the cold breeze I felt this afternoon was actually as balmy as July's winds. Or not, in which case you can file this pattern away for next year, when you've got 300+ yards of a cotton-, silk-, linen-, or bamboo-based fiber and a hankering for a short shawl (or even a big one, if you want to keep working and you've got enough yarn!).
Yarn: Lana Grossa 365 Cotone (88% Cotton, 12% Polyamide; 153 yards [150 meters]/50 grams); #026 Türkisgrün - two skeins
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| A better look at the pattern. Basically, just lace and garter stitch! |
Notions: Tapestry needle
Gauge: 20 stitches = 4 inches in stockinette
So let's make a little shawl thing! And in case I wasn't clear enough before, this pattern is good for those occasions when you're not sure if you've got enough yarn or not; since it's designed from the rounded bottom up, it's completely scalable in size - make it small if you've only got 300 yards, or bigger with more. No matter how much yarn you've got, however, you'll begin by casting on 3 stitches loosely, and then working 8 rows in garter stitch to create a tab of sorts. Then, without turning work, yarn over (yo) twice, pick up 1 stitch about 1/3rd of the way down along the edge of the tab, (yo) twice again, pick up 1 stitch roughly 2/3rds of the way down the edge of the tab, and (yo) twice again. Complete tab by picking up 3 stitches along cast-on edge; you should now have stitches coming from 3 sides of the tab - 3 along original working edge - 8 along the side (counting each double yo as 2 stitches), and 3 along the cast-on edge. Then, work a few set-up rows as follows:
Set-up Row 1 (wrong side): k3, purl until 3 stitches left in row, working a (k1, p1) in each double yo, k3
Set-up Row 2: k3, (yo) twice, knit until 3 stitches left, (yo) twice, k3 (+4 stitches)
Knit set-up rows 1 & 2 once and then knit set-up row 1 again. You should now have 18 stitches on your needle and be prepared to start a right side row. Now, we'll begin our main pattern, which is a variation on Totem Pole from page 254 of Barbara G. Walker's A Second Treasury of Knitting Patterns, and goes as follows:
Row 1: k3, (yo) twice, * p1, k2, k2tog, yo, k2, yo, ssk, k2, p1; rep from * until you have 3 stitches left in row; end (yo) twice, k3
Row 2 and all wrong side rows: k3, purl until 3 stitches left in row, working a (k1, p1) in each double yo, k3
Row 3: k3, (yo) twice, k1, p1, * p1, k1, k2tog, yo, k4, yo, ssk, k1, p1; rep from * until you have 5 stitches left in row; end p1, k1, (yo) twice, k3
Row 5: k3, (yo) twice, k3, p1, * p1, k2tog, yo, k2, p2, k2, yo, ssk, p1; rep from * until you have 7 stitches left in row; end p1, k3, (yo) twice, k3
Row 7: k3, (yo) twice, k1, yo, ssk, k2, p1, * p1, k2, k2tog, yo, k2, yo, ssk, k2, p1; rep from * until you have 9 stitches left in row; end p1, k2, k2tog, yo, k1, (yo) twice, k3
Row 9: k3, (yo) twice, k4, yo, ssk, k1, p1, * p1, k1, k2tog, yo, k4, yo, ssk, k1, p1; rep from * until you have 11 stitches left in row; end p1, k1, k2tog, yo, k4, (yo) twice, k3
Row 11: k3, (yo) twice, k3, p2, k2, yo, ssk, p1, * p1, k2tog, yo, k2, p2, k2, yo, ssk, p1; rep from * until you have 13 stitches left in row; end p1, k2tog, yo, k2, p2, k3, (yo) twice, k3
Knit rows 1 - 12 until piece measures at least 48" along needle (yes, I know that's difficult to measure since your needle will probably be shorter! You'll probably have to use gauge or your best guess, but you probably won't want it shorter than that. Longer, of course, is fine) and you've just finished row 6 or row 12 of the pattern. Then work edging rows as follows:
Edging Row 1 (right side): k3, (yo) twice, knit until 3 stitches left, (yo) twice, k3
Edging Row 2: knit, working a (k1, p1) in each double yo
Edging Row 3: knit
Edging Row 4: knit
Complete edging rows 1 - 4 and bind off loosely. To finish off, tuck in ends and block!
This is yet another stunning pattern! Thank you so much for sharing it!
ReplyDeleteI love how you say, this is just lace and garter. As if that means what you've done is easy. Take it from me - I love to knit gorgeous patterns but I can't see them or design them and am in total awe of people like yourself to whom that job seems to come so naturally. You are a wonderful designer!
Thank you Meryl, that's very kind! :) And I think my biggest weakness as a designer (and possibly also strength?) is that I don't like anything fussy, and I don't like to have to follow a charted pattern line by line - I like to memorize what I'm doing and not pick up the pattern for days. Hence the simple lace and garter, since I think this design is prettier than it should be for such a basic design! :)
DeleteGorgeous Shawl,I love those pattern of stitches, Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you like it! :) And please, let me know if you ever have any questions about my site!!!
DeleteYour patterns are beautiful, thank you for sharing. I hope your arms are starting to feel better!
ReplyDeleteThank you Lynn! They are feeling better but I'm also slowing down. :) Luckily I am able to knit again!!!
DeleteThis is very lovely. I love how you show how to drape it. That's where I lack imagination...
ReplyDeleteWell my little headless lady friend helps! :)
DeleteJust bought a skein of yarn and then saw this - now I know what it will grow up to be LOL.
ReplyDeleteThanks as always for your work.
That's always a good feeling!!! Good luck and let me know if you have any questions!!! :)
Deletehi for the (yo) twice am i just wrapping the yarn?
DeleteYup, twice! :)
DeleteMy daughter asked me to find a pattern and do a "mystery" KAL! So, 2 daughters a neighbor and knitting friend will begin this pattern SOON, very soon! The pattern looks like enough "mystery" to keep all parties interested. Thank you for a lovely design!
ReplyDeleteYay! That sounds fun! :) Glad you like the pattern, and let me know if you have any questions! I'm always happy to help!!!
DeleteHiya Gretchen
ReplyDeleteLove this pattern. I am going to try and design a baby blanket using this pattern and a light wool. Xxxx
That sounds lovely!!! :)
DeleteThis appeared on All Free Knitting newsletter a few days ago. I'm using acrylic worsted weight #4. The pattern is beautiful. I want to use the pattern for a regular scarf and will practice the pattern over 18 stitches. Do you think the stitch count will work?
ReplyDeleteMy stitch count is wrong. I've ordered the book that was referenced to see how the pattern was laid out.
ReplyDeleteHi Anita! The pattern itself is a 12-stitch pattern; the reason I start it with 18 is because I have 3 stitches of garter stitch on either side, for the edging. If you just use the directions within the *'s for your stitch pattern you should be good to go. :) Let me know if that helps, or if you have more questions!!!
DeleteOh, and I'm away from my book right now so I can't check but I think I changed the stitch count from the original. If you're still having trouble when I'm reunited with my book in a few days I can give you more details!!!
Hi! Is it possible to do this on straight needles? Please let me know, thanks!
ReplyDeleteHi there!
DeleteThe reason I worked this on circulars is because the stitch count gets too high to hold comfortably on straights; if you have straights with those little extension bits (I don't know what those are called) you can certainly use them! You could also try to just squeeze as many stitches on regular straights as possible and see how big you can make it! :)
I am having trouble understanding the set up rows math. Starting with 3 stitches of the garter tab then picking up 8 stitches along the long edge and 3 along the cast on edge puts 14 stitches on the needle. Then in set up row 1 you pick up 2 more stitches by working k1, p1 in each double YO taking the count of stitches on the needle to 16. Set up row 2 adds 4 more stitches (2 double YO's) making the stitch count on the needle 20. Then the directions say work set up row 1 again which will add 2 more stitches making a total on the needle of 22. BUT, the directions say you will have 18 at that point. What am I mis-interpreting?
ReplyDeleteAlso, directions in the WS set up row call for working k1, p1 in each double YO but the directions for WS rows in the Row 1-12 directions just say to k3, purl across, k3. Usually a double YO gets two stitches worked into it on the following row but the pattern does not actually specify that even though all the RS rows start and end with double YOs. Which way are they to be worked? Thanks (ElyseKnox)
Hi there!
DeleteYou're right that you start with 14 stitches, but you don't add any stitches in set-up row 1 either time you work it (you simply actually stitch into the double yarn overs from the previous rows). Then you add four more stitches in set-up row 2 (the two double yos), bringing the total to 18.
As far as the wrong side rows go, the directions read, "k3, purl until 3 stitches left in row, working a (k1, p1) in each double yo, k3." You're right that there's a double yo after the first k3 and before the last one. Just work a (k1, p1) in each! :)
I agree about the math. I had 14 stitches after I knit on 3 sides of the tab. Then, the way the directions are written, I am to do Set Up Row 1, then Set Up Row 2, repeat, then Set Up Row 1 again, leaving me at 20 stitches when I am supposed to have 18.
DeleteHi Ashley!
DeleteI updated the pattern to show that you're adding 4 stitches in Set-up Row 2 (the 2 double yarn overs). However, you aren't adding any stitches in Set-up Row 1 (just working two stitches into the double yarn overs from the previous row), so you should be on track to have 18 stitches even after working set-up rows 1, 2, and then 1 again. :)
I end up with 22 as well? The yarn overs add two stitches.....
DeleteHi there! Which row are you having trouble with? You should have 14 stitches after working the tab - then set-up row 1 doesn't add any stitches, set-up row 2 adds four to bring the stitch count to 18, and the second time you work set-up row 1 you again don't add any stitches, keeping the stitch count at 18. Which set up row are you on where you're getting to 22?
DeleteTo help you out, I've also written out the set-up rows more explicitly below. Hope that helps!
Set-up Row 1 (wrong side): k3, (k1, p1) in double yo, p1, (k1, p1) in double yo, p1, (k1, p1) in double yo, k3 (14 stitches)
Set-up Row 2: k3, (yo) twice, knit until 3 stitches left, (yo) twice, k3 (+4 stitches, 18 stitches total)
Set-up Row 1 (for the second time, but the more explicit version): k3, (k1, p1) in double yo, p8, (k1, p1) in double yo, k3 (18 stitches)
The basic pattern looks doable to me....but what is with the "tab" thing and set up rows? It is listed as an EASY pattern but I don't understand all that! Want to try it though.
ReplyDeleteHi there!
DeleteThe shawl tab is something that, once you see for the first time, you start to see everywhere! :) Anyway, long story short, this shawl is worked from the bottom middle, and the shawl tab helps create the edging (the garter strip with the yarn overs). Here's a video to explain the concept, although the *exact* set up may be different in this piece: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALWw0S3EmNQ
Lovely design. Could you give me the approximate dimensions of your sample? From what I read, it appears I can make it longer by simply repeating Rows 1-12 more times, is that correct?
ReplyDeleteMany thanks,
Betty
Hi Betty!
DeleteYes, my sample is on the small side (about 54" along the straight edge and 14" tall at the biggest point), but this is one of those knit-until-you-run-out-of-yarn patterns. Just keep working rows 1-12 until you're satisfied with the size, then complete the edging! :)
Hi! I love your patterns! I wish I had half of your talent! I was wondering if this pattern could be done with 2 colors of yarn and where I could begin the second color?
ReplyDeleteThank you so much,
Julee
Hi there!
DeleteYes, this could totally be striped - as far as where to start, it really just depends on whether you'd like thick or thin stripes! You could change colors on row 1 (after row 12) or row 7, if you want them narrower. :)
Hi, I'm a beginner at doing any lacy patterns, I've been doing everything else for over 35 years, on and off, but I wanted to challenge myself, as usually I'm knitting baby clothes and cardigans for my family and friends, I saw this it's so beautiful, but how do you do 2 yarn overs together? Sorry if I sound dumb, but I love the look of this, and I've got the perfect yarn that I've been savin, I know how to yarn over, but 2 tigether, do I just wrap it around the needle? I just want an easy manageable pattern for my first lacy shawl. Thank you for your amazing pattern, I hope I can do it justice.
ReplyDeleteHi there! I'm glad to hear you like the pattern. And you've got it - for two yarn overs together, you just wrap the yarn around your needle twice instead of once like you ordinarily do! That will essentially just make a longer yarn over, so when you come back to it you can put two stitches in (a k1 and a p1 - it's impossible to knit twice into a double yarn over). Let me know if you have any more questions! :)
DeleteHi Gretchen. I would love to knit this as a larger shawl. When I reach row 12 what is the next row I should continue on with? I have loved your patterns for years now. Always a treat. Jeanne
ReplyDeleteHi Jeanne! Glad to hear you like my patterns. :) And just go back to row 1 after row 12; you can make it as big as you like!
DeleteThis is probably the most poorly written pattern I have ever worked with! I have been knitting forever and have taught knitting in the past. I have never encountered such a convoluted garter tab, and find it most unfortunate that you have not included number of stitches after each row/section. Off by one stitch, and there goes the pattern
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear you feel that way! If you have any specific questions I'm always happy to respond. Otherwise, you almost certainly worked a yo somewhere instead of a double yo. I suggest simply adding another stitch and not worrying about it, since you'll likely never notice the error in your finished result. :)
DeleteHi Gretchen, I love all your patterns and I couldn't decide which one I want to start with. I have finally decided I will start with this one. I love your colour choice in all your patterns. Thank you so much for aharing your work. I will let you how it did go.
ReplyDeleteThat's so kind, thank you! And please let me know if you have any questions!!! :)
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