Follow Your Arrow Shawl

Follow Your Arrow Shawl

First and foremost: a quick thanks to Nikki from Zender Studios for taking these photos for me; you're a doll for helping (and lending me your shoes for the pictures)! And with that being said, let's get to some details about the pattern...

... like the fact that I should probably apologize for the fact that I made this delightful shawl using mill ends that I bought at the Edinburgh Yarn Festival, which means that I can't tell you *exactly* what's in the thing. However, I CAN tell you that I carefully measured everything I used, and added a 10% allowance to the values below, so you can find grams/yards/meters for every color, which should help you to choose your own materials (just remember: having the appropriate yardage is more important than the weight, especially for colors D & E [since those are my heavier weight yarns]). I also encourage you to view the pattern as a jumping-off point for your own color ideas; overall, it's made of 10 sections with 2 colors apiece, so the possibilities abound!

Speaking of the fact that it's 10 sections (and kite shaped, when laid out!), I should also mention that this pattern has not been tech edited, and since it's one of my lengthier designs I welcome any questions or comments about errors that you may find. Ultimately, it's not terribly complicated since I used the same pattern all over (a combination of garter and a mesh pattern), but once you add color choices and increases and decreases to the thing, I'm certain I slipped in my notation at least a few times. So again, I'm very happy to help with any issues you may find; in fact, I've even labeled each section of the design so that it's easier for you to identify any problems to me (just give me section and row number and we'll be good to go!).

Oh, and I know I'm being verbose today, but one last thing; I noticed, as I worked this, that it's easier to make knitting errors in the sections in which you're beginning with your color A, or the mesh pattern. If you notice that your counts are off, don't despair! This mesh pattern is VERY forgiving of errors, and as long as you correct your stitch counts by the end of each section you will be able to proceed, even if you've made a mistake (and, again, I highly doubt you'll find your error ever again). All in all - bon courage, and I hope you like your finished shawl as much as I like mine (IT'S AMAZING!). Also, if one of you actually makes it in the target yarn (ideally John Arbon Textiles Knit by Numbers 4 Ply) please send me pictures, so I know what it would look like if I didn't have such a strong attraction to the mill ends bin. Of course, even if you make it with a bunch of odds and ends like I did, I think it will turn out great just the same!!! :) (other ideas: scale it up with DK weight yarn and the appropriate sized needles if you'd like, or even worsted it you want a real sleeping bag of a shoulder wrap. and again, send pics!)

Finished Size: 75" long in total, 28" inches wide at the widest point

Yarn: John Arbon Textiles mill ends; White (Alpaca Delight, 70% Alpaca, 30% Merino; Color A; 120 grams, or roughly 510 meters/558 yards), Green (Knit by Numbers 4 ply, 100% Merino; Color B; 8 grams, or roughly 32 meters/35 yards), Orange/Green (unknown fiber; Color C; 30 grams or roughly 120 meters/132 yards), Dark Orange/Red (100% Merino; Color D; 58 grams or roughly 145 meters/159 yards), Light Orange (Knit by Numbers DK, 100% Merino; Color E; 100 grams or roughly 250 meters/274 yards)

From the side

Needles: One pair of needles in size US 3 (3.25 mm) (I used a 32" circular needle, but I think you should be able to make this on straights if need be, although they will get quite crowded!)

Notions: tapestry needle, two stitch markers

Gauge: I am a terrible person and used two different weight yarns in this shawl, as mentioned. Colors A, B, and C are 28 stitches = 4 inches on US 2 needles, the rest are 24 stitches = 4 inches on size US 4 needles. I am loosely averaging this to mean 26 stitches = 4 inches on US 3 needles for all. Like I said, terrible!

So let's get started! Using your color B yarn, cast on 2 stitches. Then, right next to those 2 stitches, use your color A yarn to cast on 3 stitches as well (at this point, that means that these two sets of stitches are not connected). Then, using intarsia color joins for all color changes, we'll begin our first color section like so:

Section 1

Set-up Row 1 (wrong side): p3 in color A, p1, k1 in color B

Set-up Row 2: using color B, k1, yo, place marker, k1; then, using color A, k2, kfb (7 stitches)

Set-up Row 3: using color A, p4; then, using color B, p1, slip marker, k2

Set-up Row 4: using color B, k2, yo, slip marker, k1; then, using color A, k3, kfb (9 stitches)

Set-up Row 5: using color A, p5; then, using color B, p1, slip marker, k3

Set-up Row 6: using color B, k3, yo, slip marker, k1; then, using color A, k4, kfb (11 stitches)

Set-up Row 7: using color A, p6; then, using color B, p1, slip marker, k4

Set-up Row 8: using color B, k4, yo, slip marker, k1; then, using color A, k5, kfb (13 stitches)

Set-up Row 9: using color A, k1, place marker, p6; then, using color B, p1, slip marker, k5

Set-up Row 10: using color B, knit until you reach marker, yo, slip marker, k1; then, using color A, knit until you reach marker, slip marker, yo, knit until end of row (+2 stitches)

Set-up Row 11: using color A, knit until you reach marker, slip marker, p6; then, using color B, p1, slip marker, knit until end of row 

Set-up rows 12 - 15: repeat set-up rows 10 & 11 twice

Set-up row 16: repeat set-up row 10

Set-up row 17: using color A, k2tog, (yo) twice, k2tog, k1, slip marker, p6; then, using color B, p1, slip marker, knit until end of row 

Set-up Row 18: using color B, knit until you reach marker, yo, slip marker, k1; then, using color A, knit until you reach marker, slip marker, yo, k2, (k1, p1) into double yo, k1 (+2 stitches)

Set-up Row 19: using color A, knit until you reach marker, slip marker, p6; then, using color B, p1, slip marker, knit until end of row 

Set-up Row 20: using color B, knit until you reach marker, yo, slip marker, k1; then, using color A, knit until you reach marker, slip marker, yo, knit until end of row (+2 stitches)

Set-up Row 21: using color A, k2tog, (yo) twice, k2tog, k3, slip marker, p6; then, using color B, p1, slip marker, knit until end of row

Set-up Row 22: using color B, knit until you reach marker, yo, slip marker, k1; then, using color A, knit until you reach marker, slip marker, yo, k4, (k1, p1) into double yo, k1 (+2 stitches)

Set-up Row 23: using color A, k2, k2tog, (yo) twice, k2tog, k2, slip marker, p6; then, using color B, p1, slip marker, knit until end of row

Set-up Row 24: using color B, knit until you reach marker, yo, slip marker, k1; then, using color A, knit until you reach marker, slip marker, yo, k3, (k1, p1) into double yo, k3 (+2 stitches)

Complete set-up rows 1 - 24. Then we can continue with the pattern we've established, which combines garter stitch with Bird's Eye from page 197 of Barbara G. Walker's A Treasury of Knitting Patterns, and goes like so:

Row 1 (wrong side): using color A, * k2tog, (yo) twice, k2tog; rep from * until you have 1 stitch left before marker; k1, slip marker, p6. Then, using color B, p1, slip marker, knit until end of row 

Row 2: using color B, knit until you reach marker, yo, slip marker, k1; then, using color A, knit until you reach marker, slip marker, yo, k1, * k1, (k1, p1) into double yo, k1; rep from * until end of row (+2 stitches)

Row 3: using color A, k2, * k2tog, (yo) twice, k2tog; rep from * until you have 4 stitches left before marker; k4, slip marker, p6. Then, using color B, p1, slip marker, knit until end of row 

Row 4: using color B, knit until you reach marker, yo, slip marker, k1; then, using color A, knit until you reach marker, slip marker, yo, k4, * k1, (k1, p1) into double yo, k1; rep from * until you have 2 stitches left in row, end k2 (+2 stitches)

Row 5: using color A, * k2tog, (yo) twice, k2tog; rep from * until you have 3 stitches left before marker; k3, slip marker, p6. Then, using color B, p1, slip marker, knit until end of row

Row 6: using color B, knit until you reach marker, yo, slip marker, k1; then, using color A, knit until you reach marker, slip marker, yo, k3, * k1, (k1, p1) into double yo, k1; rep from * until end of row (+2 stitches)

Row 7: using color A, k2, * k2tog, (yo) twice, k2tog; rep from * until you have 2 stitches left before marker; k2, slip marker, p6. Then, using color B, p1, slip marker, knit until end of row 

Row 8: using color B, knit until you reach marker, yo, slip marker, k1; then, using color A, knit until you reach marker, slip marker, yo, k2, * k1, (k1, p1) into double yo, k1; rep from * until you have 2 stitches left in row, end k2 (+2 stitches)

Knit rows 1 - 8 seven times. At this point you should have 41 color B stitches outside of your marker (42 in total) and 37 color A stitches outside of your marker (43 in total). You can also clip your yarn tails, since we're moving on to the next color section of our shawl. First, though, we'll do two transition rows, as follows:

Transition Row 1 (wrong side): using color C, purl until you reach marker; then, slip marker, p1, and switch to your color A yarn. Using color A, purl until you reach next marker, slip marker, purl until end of row

Transition Row 2: using color A, knit until you're two stitches from first marker, k2tog, yo, slip marker, and k6. Then, using color C, k1, slip marker, yo, ssk, and knit until end of row

Complete these two transition rows and then we'll work our next section as follows:

Section 2

Row 1 (wrong side): using color C, knit until you reach marker, slip marker, and p1. Then, using color A, p6 and slip marker. Then k1, * k2tog, (yo) twice, k2tog; rep from * until you reach end of row

Row 2: using color A, * k1, (k1, p1) into double yo, k1; rep from * until there's one stitch left before marker, k1, yo, slip marker, and k6. Then, using color C, k1, slip marker, yo, and knit until end of row (+2 stitches)

Row 3: using color C, knit until you reach marker, slip marker, and p1. Then, using color A, p6 and slip marker. Then k4, * k2tog, (yo) twice, k2tog; rep from * until you're 2 stitches before end of row, k2

Row 4: using color A, k2, * k1, (k1, p1) into double yo, k1; rep from * until there are 4 stitches left before marker, k4, yo, slip marker, and k6. Then, using color C, k1, slip marker, yo, and knit until end of row (+2 stitches)

Row 5: using color C, knit until you reach marker, slip marker, and p1. Then, using color A, p6 and slip marker. Then k3, * k2tog, (yo) twice, k2tog; rep from * until you reach end of row

Row 6: using color A, * k1, (k1, p1) into double yo, k1; rep from * until there's three stitches left before marker, k3, yo, slip marker, and k6. Then, using color C, k1, slip marker, yo, and knit until end of row (+2 stitches)

Row 7: using color C, knit until you reach marker, slip marker, and p1. Then, using color A, p6 and slip marker. Then k2, * k2tog, (yo) twice, k2tog; rep from * until you're 2 stitches before end of row, k2

Row 8: using color A, k2, * k1, (k1, p1) into double yo, k1; rep from * until there are 2 stitches left before marker, k2, yo, slip marker, and k6. Then, using color C, k1, slip marker, yo, and knit until end of row (+2 stitches)

Knit rows 1 - 8 ten times. At this point, you should have 81 color A stitches outside of your marker (87 in total) and 77 color C stitches outside of your marker (78 in total). You can also clip your yarn tails, since we're moving on to the next color section of our shawl. First, though, we'll do two transition rows, as follows:

Transition Row 1 (wrong side): using color A, purl until you reach marker; then, slip marker, p6, and switch to your color D yarn. Using color D, p1, slip marker, purl until end of row

Transition Row 2: using color D, knit until you're two stitches from first marker, k2tog, yo, slip marker, and k1. Then, using color A, k6, slip marker, yo, ssk, and knit until end of row 

Complete these two transition rows, and then we'll begin our next panel, as follows. You'll notice it's the same as the first section...

Section 3

Row 1 (wrong side): using color A, * k2tog, (yo) twice, k2tog; rep from * until you have 1 stitch left before marker; k1, slip marker, p6. Then, using color D, p1, slip marker, knit until end of row 

Row 2: using color D, knit until you reach marker, yo, slip marker, k1; then, using color A, knit until you reach marker, slip marker, yo, k1, * k1, (k1, p1) into double yo, k1; rep from * until end of row (+2 stitches)

Row 3: using color A, k2, * k2tog, (yo) twice, k2tog; rep from * until you have 4 stitches left before marker; k4, slip marker, p6. Then, using color D, p1, slip marker, knit until end of row 

Row 4: using color D, knit until you reach marker, yo, slip marker, k1; then, using color A, knit until you reach marker, slip marker, yo, k4, * k1, (k1, p1) into double yo, k1; rep from * until you have 2 stitches left in row, end k2 (+2 stitches)

Row 5: using color A, * k2tog, (yo) twice, k2tog; rep from * until you have 3 stitches left before marker; k3, slip marker, p6. Then, using color D, p1, slip marker, knit until end of row

Row 6: using color D, knit until you reach marker, yo, slip marker, k1; then, using color A, knit until you reach marker, slip marker, yo, k3, * k1, (k1, p1) into double yo, k1; rep from * until end of row (+2 stitches)

Row 7: using color A, k2, * k2tog, (yo) twice, k2tog; rep from * until you have 2 stitches left before marker; k2, slip marker, p6. Then, using color D, p1, slip marker, knit until end of row 

Row 8: using color D, knit until you reach marker, yo, slip marker, k1; then, using color A, knit until you reach marker, slip marker, yo, k2, * k1, (k1, p1) into double yo, k1; rep from * until you have 2 stitches left in row, end k2 (+2 stitches)

Knit rows 1 - 8 five times. At this point, you should have 101 color D stitches outside of your marker (102 in total) and 97 color A stitches outside of your marker (103 in total). Then we'll begin decreasing, as follows:

Row 1: using color A, * k2tog, (yo) twice, k2tog; rep from * until you have 1 stitch left before marker; k1, slip marker, p6. Then, using color D, p1, slip marker, knit until end of row 

Row 2: using color D, (ssk) twice, knit until you reach marker, yo, slip marker, k1; then, using color A, knit until you reach marker, slip marker, yo, k1, * k1, (k1, p1) into double yo, k1; rep from * until you have 4 stitches left in row, (k2tog) twice (-2 stitches)

Row 3: using color A, * k2tog, (yo) twice, k2tog; rep from * until you have 4 stitches left before marker; k4, slip marker, p6. Then, using color D, p1, slip marker, knit until end of row 

Row 4: using color D, ssk, knit until you reach marker, yo, slip marker, k1; then, using color A, knit until you reach marker, slip marker, yo, k4, * k1, (k1, p1) into double yo, k1; rep from * until you have 4 stitches left in row; k2, k2tog

Row 5: using color A, k1, * k2tog, (yo) twice, k2tog; rep from * until you have 3 stitches left before marker; k3, slip marker, p6. Then, using color D, p1, slip marker, knit until end of row

Row 6: using color D, (ssk) twice, knit until you reach marker, yo, slip marker, k1; then, using color A, knit until you reach marker, slip marker, yo, k3, * k1, (k1, p1) into double yo, k1; rep from * until have 5 stitches left in row, (k2tog) twice, k1 (-2 stitches)

Row 7: using color A, k1, * k2tog, (yo) twice, k2tog; rep from * until you have 2 stitches left before marker; k2, slip marker, p6. Then, using color D, p1, slip marker, knit until end of row

Row 8: using color D, ssk, knit until you reach marker, yo, slip marker, k1; then, using color A, knit until you reach marker, slip marker, yo, k2, * k1, (k1, p1) into double yo, k1; rep from * until you have 5 stitches left in row, k1, (k1, p1) in double yo, k2tog

Row 9: using color A, k2, * k2tog, (yo) twice, k2tog; rep from * until you have 1 stitch left before marker; k1, slip marker, p6. Then, using color D, p1, slip marker, knit until end of row 

Row 10: using color D, (ssk) twice, knit until you reach marker, yo, slip marker, k1; then, using color A, knit until you reach marker, slip marker, yo, k1, * k1, (k1, p1) into double yo, k1; rep from * until you have 6 stitches left in row, k2, (k2tog) twice (-2 stitches)

Row 11: using color A, k2, * k2tog, (yo) twice, k2tog; rep from * until you have 4 stitches left before marker; k4, slip marker, p6. Then, using color D, p1, slip marker, knit until end of row 

Row 12: using color D, ssk, knit until you reach marker, yo, slip marker, k1; then, using color A, knit until you reach marker, slip marker, yo, k4, * k1, (k1, p1) into double yo, k1; rep from * until you have 2 stitches left in row; k2tog

Row 13: using color A, k3, * k2tog, (yo) twice, k2tog; rep from * until you have 3 stitches left before marker; k3, slip marker, p6. Then, using color D, p1, slip marker, knit until end of row

Row 14: using color D, (ssk) twice, knit until you reach marker, yo, slip marker, k1; then, using color A, knit until you reach marker, slip marker, yo, k3, * k1, (k1, p1) into double yo, k1; rep from * until have 7 stitches left in row, k1, (k1, p1) in yo, (k2tog) twice (-2 stitches)

Row 15: using color A, k3, * k2tog, (yo) twice, k2tog; rep from * until you have 2 stitches left before marker; k2, slip marker, p6. Then, using color D, p1, slip marker, knit until end of row

Row 16: using color D, ssk, knit until you reach marker, yo, slip marker, k1; then, using color A, knit until you reach marker, slip marker, yo, k2, * k1, (k1, p1) into double yo, k1; rep from * until you have 3 stitches left in row, k1, k2tog

Knit rows 1 - 16 twice and then knit rows 1 - 8 once again. At this point, you should have 91 color D stitches outside of your marker (92 in total) and 87 color A stitches outside of your marker (93 in total). Clip your yarn tails and complete two transition rows, as follows:

Transition Row 1 (wrong side): using color E, purl until you reach marker; then, slip marker, p1, and switch to your color A yarn. Using color A, purl until you reach next marker, slip marker, purl until end of row

Transition Row 2: using color A, knit until you're two stitches from first marker, k2tog, yo, slip marker, and k6. Then, using color E, k1, slip marker, yo, ssk, and knit until end of row

Complete these two transition rows, and then we'll begin decreasing again, as follows:

Section 4

Row 1 (wrong side): using color E, knit until you reach marker, slip marker, and p1. Then, using color A, p6 and slip marker. Then k1, * k2tog, (yo) twice, k2tog; rep from * until you're 2 stitches before end of row, end k2

Row 2: using color A, (ssk) twice, k2, * k1, (k1, p1) into double yo, k1; rep from * until there's one stitch left before marker, k1, yo, slip marker, and k6. Then, using color E, k1, slip marker, yo, and knit until you have four stitches left before end of row, end (k2tog) twice (-2 stitches)

Row 3: using color E, knit until you reach marker, slip marker, and p1. Then, using color A, p6 and slip marker. Then k4, * k2tog, (yo) twice, k2tog; rep from * until you're 2 stitches before end of row, k2

Row 4: using color A, ssk, * k1, (k1, p1) into double yo, k1; rep from * until there are 4 stitches left before marker, k4, yo, slip marker, and k6. Then, using color E, k1, slip marker, yo, and knit until you have 2 stitches left before end of row, k2tog

Row 5: using color E, knit until you reach marker, slip marker, and p1. Then, using color A, p6 and slip marker. Then k3, * k2tog, (yo) twice, k2tog; rep from * until you're 3 stitches before end of row, k3

Row 6: using color A, (ssk) twice, (k1, p1) in double yo, k1, * k1, (k1, p1) into double yo, k1; rep from * until there's three stitches left before marker, k3, yo, slip marker, and k6. Then, using color E, k1, slip marker, yo, and knit until you have four stitches left before end of row, end (k2tog) twice (-2 stitches)

Row 7: using color E, knit until you reach marker, slip marker, and p1. Then, using color A, p6 and slip marker. Then k2, * k2tog, (yo) twice, k2tog; rep from * until you're 3 stitches before end of row, k3

Row 8: using color A, ssk, k1, * k1, (k1, p1) into double yo, k1; rep from * until there are 2 stitches left before marker, k2, yo, slip marker, and k6. Then, using color E, k1, slip marker, yo, and knit until you have 2 stitches left before end of row, k2tog

Row 9: using color E, knit until you reach marker, slip marker, and p1. Then, using color A, p6 and slip marker. Then k1, * k2tog, (yo) twice, k2tog; rep from * 

Row 10: using color A, (ssk) twice, * k1, (k1, p1) into double yo, k1; rep from * until there's one stitch left before marker, k1, yo, slip marker, and k6. Then, using color E, k1, slip marker, yo, and knit until you have four stitches left before end of row, end (k2tog) twice (-2 stitches)

Row 11: using color E, knit until you reach marker, slip marker, and p1. Then, using color A, p6 and slip marker. Then k4, * k2tog, (yo) twice, k2tog; rep from *

Row 12: using color A, ssk, k2, * k1, (k1, p1) into double yo, k1; rep from * until there are 4 stitches left before marker, k4, yo, slip marker, and k6. Then, using color E, k1, slip marker, yo, and knit until you have 2 stitches left before end of row, k2tog

Row 13: using color E, knit until you reach marker, slip marker, and p1. Then, using color A, p6 and slip marker. Then k3, * k2tog, (yo) twice, k2tog; rep from * until you're 1 stitch before end of row, k1

Row 14: using color A, k1, (ssk) twice, * k1, (k1, p1) into double yo, k1; rep from * until there's three stitches left before marker, k3, yo, slip marker, and k6. Then, using color E, k1, slip marker, yo, and knit until you have four stitches left before end of row, end (k2tog) twice

Row 15: using color E, knit until you reach marker, slip marker, and p1. Then, using color A, p6 and slip marker. Then k2, * k2tog, (yo) twice, k2tog; rep from * until you're 1 stitch before end of row, k1

Row 16: using color A, ssk, (k1, p1) in double yo, k1, * k1, (k1, p1) into double yo, k1; rep from * until there are 2 stitches left before marker, k2, yo, slip marker, and k6. Then, using color E, k1, slip marker, yo, and knit until you have 2 stitches left before end of row, k2tog

Knit rows 1 - 16 five times. At this point, you should have 71 color A stitches outside of your marker (77 in total) and 67 color E stitches outside of your marker (68 in total). Clip your yarn tails and complete two transition rows, as follows:

Transition Row 1 (wrong side): using color A, purl until you reach marker; then, slip marker, p6, and switch to your color E yarn. Using color E, p1, slip marker, purl until end of row

Transition Row 2: using color E, knit until you're two stitches from first marker, k2tog, yo, slip marker, and k1. Then, using color A, k6, slip marker, yo, ssk, and knit until end of row 

Complete these two transition rows, and then we'll return to decreasing as follows:

Section 5 

Row 1: using color A, k2, * k2tog, (yo) twice, k2tog; rep from * until you have 1 stitch left before marker; k1, slip marker, p6. Then, using color E, p1, slip marker, knit until end of row 

Row 2: using color E, (ssk) twice, knit until you reach marker, yo, slip marker, k1; then, using color A, knit until you reach marker, slip marker, yo, k1, * k1, (k1, p1) into double yo, k1; rep from * until you have 6 stitches left in row, k2, (k2tog) twice (-2 stitches)

Row 3: using color A, k2, * k2tog, (yo) twice, k2tog; rep from * until you have 4 stitches left before marker; k4, slip marker, p6. Then, using color E, p1, slip marker, knit until end of row 

Row 4: using color E, ssk, knit until you reach marker, yo, slip marker, k1; then, using color A, knit until you reach marker, slip marker, yo, k4, * k1, (k1, p1) into double yo, k1; rep from * until you have 2 stitches left in row; k2tog

Row 5: using color A, k3, * k2tog, (yo) twice, k2tog; rep from * until you have 3 stitches left before marker; k3, slip marker, p6. Then, using color E, p1, slip marker, knit until end of row

Row 6: using color E, (ssk) twice, knit until you reach marker, yo, slip marker, k1; then, using color A, knit until you reach marker, slip marker, yo, k3, * k1, (k1, p1) into double yo, k1; rep from * until have 7 stitches left in row, k1, (k1, p1) in yo, (k2tog) twice (-2 stitches)

Row 7: using color A, k3, * k2tog, (yo) twice, k2tog; rep from * until you have 2 stitches left before marker; k2, slip marker, p6. Then, using color E, p1, slip marker, knit until end of row

Row 8: using color E, ssk, knit until you reach marker, yo, slip marker, k1; then, using color A, knit until you reach marker, slip marker, yo, k2, * k1, (k1, p1) into double yo, k1; rep from * until you have 3 stitches left in row, k1, k2tog

Row 9: using color A, * k2tog, (yo) twice, k2tog; rep from * until you have 1 stitch left before marker; k1, slip marker, p6. Then, using color E, p1, slip marker, knit until end of row 

Row 10: using color E, (ssk) twice, knit until you reach marker, yo, slip marker, k1; then, using color A, knit until you reach marker, slip marker, yo, k1, * k1, (k1, p1) into double yo, k1; rep from * until you have 4 stitches left in row, (k2tog) twice (-2 stitches)

Row 11: using color A, * k2tog, (yo) twice, k2tog; rep from * until you have 4 stitches left before marker; k4, slip marker, p6. Then, using color E, p1, slip marker, knit until end of row 

Row 12: using color E, ssk, knit until you reach marker, yo, slip marker, k1; then, using color A, knit until you reach marker, slip marker, yo, k4, * k1, (k1, p1) into double yo, k1; rep from * until you have 4 stitches left in row; k2, k2tog

Row 13: using color A, k1, * k2tog, (yo) twice, k2tog; rep from * until you have 3 stitches left before marker; k3, slip marker, p6. Then, using color E, p1, slip marker, knit until end of row

Row 14: using color E, (ssk) twice, knit until you reach marker, yo, slip marker, k1; then, using color A, knit until you reach marker, slip marker, yo, k3, * k1, (k1, p1) into double yo, k1; rep from * until have 5 stitches left in row, (k2tog) twice, k1 (-2 stitches)

Row 15: using color A, k1, * k2tog, (yo) twice, k2tog; rep from * until you have 2 stitches left before marker; k2, slip marker, p6. Then, using color E, p1, slip marker, knit until end of row

Row 16: using color E, ssk, knit until you reach marker, yo, slip marker, k1; then, using color A, knit until you reach marker, slip marker, yo, k2, * k1, (k1, p1) into double yo, k1; rep from * until you have 5 stitches left in row, k1, (k1, p1) in double yo, k2tog

Knit rows 1 - 16 five times, at which point you should have 51 color E stitches outside of your marker (52 in total) and 47 color A stitches outside of your marker (53 in total). Clip your yarn tails and complete two transition rows, as follows:

Transition Row 1 (wrong side): using color E, purl until you reach marker; then, slip marker, p1, and switch to your color A yarn. Using color A, purl until you reach next marker, slip marker, purl until end of row

Transition Row 2: using color A, knit until you're two stitches from first marker, k2tog, yo, slip marker, and k6. Then, using color E, k1, slip marker, yo, ssk, and knit until end of row

Complete these two transition rows, and then we'll continuing decreasing as follows. Notice that, from now on, the sections will be half as big as the previous sections:

Section 6

Row 1 (wrong side): using color E, knit until you reach marker, slip marker, and p1. Then, using color A, p6 and slip marker. Then k1, * k2tog, (yo) twice, k2tog; rep from * until you're 2 stitches before end of row, end k2

Row 2: using color A, (ssk) twice, k2, * k1, (k1, p1) into double yo, k1; rep from * until there's one stitch left before marker, k1, yo, slip marker, and k6. Then, using color E, k1, slip marker, yo, and knit until you have four stitches left before end of row, end (k2tog) twice (-2 stitches)

Row 3: using color E, knit until you reach marker, slip marker, and p1. Then, using color A, p6 and slip marker. Then k4, * k2tog, (yo) twice, k2tog; rep from * until you're 2 stitches before end of row, k2

Row 4: using color A, ssk, * k1, (k1, p1) into double yo, k1; rep from * until there are 4 stitches left before marker, k4, yo, slip marker, and k6. Then, using color E, k1, slip marker, yo, and knit until you have 2 stitches left before end of row, k2tog

Row 5: using color E, knit until you reach marker, slip marker, and p1. Then, using color A, p6 and slip marker. Then k3, * k2tog, (yo) twice, k2tog; rep from * until you're 3 stitches before end of row, k3

Row 6: using color A, (ssk) twice, (k1, p1) in double yo, k1, * k1, (k1, p1) into double yo, k1; rep from * until there's three stitches left before marker, k3, yo, slip marker, and k6. Then, using color E, k1, slip marker, yo, and knit until you have four stitches left before end of row, end (k2tog) twice (-2 stitches)

Row 7: using color E, knit until you reach marker, slip marker, and p1. Then, using color A, p6 and slip marker. Then k2, * k2tog, (yo) twice, k2tog; rep from * until you're 3 stitches before end of row, k3

Row 8: using color A, ssk, k1, * k1, (k1, p1) into double yo, k1; rep from * until there are 2 stitches left before marker, k2, yo, slip marker, and k6. Then, using color E, k1, slip marker, yo, and knit until you have 2 stitches left before end of row, k2tog

Row 9: using color E, knit until you reach marker, slip marker, and p1. Then, using color A, p6 and slip marker. Then k1, * k2tog, (yo) twice, k2tog; rep from * 

Row 10: using color A, (ssk) twice, * k1, (k1, p1) into double yo, k1; rep from * until there's one stitch left before marker, k1, yo, slip marker, and k6. Then, using color E, k1, slip marker, yo, and knit until you have four stitches left before end of row, end (k2tog) twice (-2 stitches)

Row 11: using color E, knit until you reach marker, slip marker, and p1. Then, using color A, p6 and slip marker. Then k4, * k2tog, (yo) twice, k2tog; rep from *

Row 12: using color A, ssk, k2, * k1, (k1, p1) into double yo, k1; rep from * until there are 4 stitches left before marker, k4, yo, slip marker, and k6. Then, using color E, k1, slip marker, yo, and knit until you have 2 stitches left before end of row, k2tog

Row 13: using color E, knit until you reach marker, slip marker, and p1. Then, using color A, p6 and slip marker. Then k3, * k2tog, (yo) twice, k2tog; rep from * until you're 1 stitch before end of row, k1

Row 14: using color A, k1, (ssk) twice, * k1, (k1, p1) into double yo, k1; rep from * until there's three stitches left before marker, k3, yo, slip marker, and k6. Then, using color E, k1, slip marker, yo, and knit until you have four stitches left before end of row, end (k2tog) twice (-2 stitches)

Row 15: using color E, knit until you reach marker, slip marker, and p1. Then, using color A, p6 and slip marker. Then k2, * k2tog, (yo) twice, k2tog; rep from * until you're 1 stitch before end of row, k1 

Row 16: using color A, ssk, (k1, p1) in double yo, k1, * k1, (k1, p1) into double yo, k1; rep from * until there are 2 stitches left before marker, k2, yo, slip marker, and k6. Then, using color E, k1, slip marker, yo, and knit until you have 2 stitches left before end of row, k2tog

Knit rows 1 - 16 twice, and then knit rows 1 - 8 once more. Now you should have 41 color A stitches outside of your marker (47 in total) and 37 color E stitches outside of your marker (38 in total). Clip your yarn tails and complete two transition rows, as follows:

Transition Row 1 (wrong side): using color A, purl until you reach marker; then, slip marker, p6, and switch to your color E yarn. Using color E, p1, slip marker, purl until end of row

Transition Row 2: using color E, knit until you're two stitches from first marker, k2tog, yo, slip marker, and k1. Then, using color A, k6, slip marker, yo, ssk, and knit until end of row 

Complete these two transition rows, and then we'll continue as follows:

Section 7

Row 1: using color A, * k2tog, (yo) twice, k2tog; rep from * until you have 1 stitch left before marker; k1, slip marker, p6. Then, using color E, p1, slip marker, knit until end of row 

Row 2: using color E, (ssk) twice, knit until you reach marker, yo, slip marker, k1; then, using color A, knit until you reach marker, slip marker, yo, k1, * k1, (k1, p1) into double yo, k1; rep from * until you have 4 stitches left in row, (k2tog) twice (-2 stitches)

Row 3: using color A, * k2tog, (yo) twice, k2tog; rep from * until you have 4 stitches left before marker; k4, slip marker, p6. Then, using color E, p1, slip marker, knit until end of row 

Row 4: using color E, ssk, knit until you reach marker, yo, slip marker, k1; then, using color A, knit until you reach marker, slip marker, yo, k4, * k1, (k1, p1) into double yo, k1; rep from * until you have 4 stitches left in row; k2, k2tog

Row 5: using color A, k1, * k2tog, (yo) twice, k2tog; rep from * until you have 3 stitches left before marker; k3, slip marker, p6. Then, using color E, p1, slip marker, knit until end of row

Row 6: using color E, (ssk) twice, knit until you reach marker, yo, slip marker, k1; then, using color A, knit until you reach marker, slip marker, yo, k3, * k1, (k1, p1) into double yo, k1; rep from * until have 5 stitches left in row, (k2tog) twice, k1 (-2 stitches)

Row 7: using color A, k1, * k2tog, (yo) twice, k2tog; rep from * until you have 2 stitches left before marker; k2, slip marker, p6. Then, using color E, p1, slip marker, knit until end of row

Row 8: using color E, ssk, knit until you reach marker, yo, slip marker, k1; then, using color A, knit until you reach marker, slip marker, yo, k2, * k1, (k1, p1) into double yo, k1; rep from * until you have 5 stitches left in row, k1, (k1, p1) in double yo, k2tog

Row 9: using color A, k2, * k2tog, (yo) twice, k2tog; rep from * until you have 1 stitch left before marker; k1, slip marker, p6. Then, using color E, p1, slip marker, knit until end of row 

Row 10: using color E, (ssk) twice, knit until you reach marker, yo, slip marker, k1; then, using color A, knit until you reach marker, slip marker, yo, k1, * k1, (k1, p1) into double yo, k1; rep from * until you have 6 stitches left in row, k2, (k2tog) twice (-2 stitches)

Row 11: using color A, k2, * k2tog, (yo) twice, k2tog; rep from * until you have 4 stitches left before marker; k4, slip marker, p6. Then, using color E, p1, slip marker, knit until end of row 

Row 12: using color E, ssk, knit until you reach marker, yo, slip marker, k1; then, using color A, knit until you reach marker, slip marker, yo, k4, * k1, (k1, p1) into double yo, k1; rep from * until you have 2 stitches left in row; k2tog

Row 13: using color A, k3, * k2tog, (yo) twice, k2tog; rep from * until you have 3 stitches left before marker; k3, slip marker, p6. Then, using color E, p1, slip marker, knit until end of row

Row 14: using color E, (ssk) twice, knit until you reach marker, yo, slip marker, k1; then, using color A, knit until you reach marker, slip marker, yo, k3, * k1, (k1, p1) into double yo, k1; rep from * until have 7 stitches left in row, k1, (k1, p1) in yo, (k2tog) twice (-2 stitches)

Row 15: using color A, k3, * k2tog, (yo) twice, k2tog; rep from * until you have 2 stitches left before marker; k2, slip marker, p6. Then, using color E, p1, slip marker, knit until end of row

Row 16: using color E, ssk, knit until you reach marker, yo, slip marker, k1; then, using color A, knit until you reach marker, slip marker, yo, k2, * k1, (k1, p1) into double yo, k1; rep from * until you have 3 stitches left in row, k1, k2tog

Knit rows 1 - 16 once, and then rows 1 - 8 again. Now you should have 31 color E stitches outside of your marker (32 in total) and 27 color A stitches outside of your marker (33 in total). Clip your yarn tails and complete two transition rows, as follows:

Transition Row 1 (wrong side): using color D, purl until you reach marker; then, slip marker, p1, and switch to your color A yarn. Using color A, purl until you reach next marker, slip marker, purl until end of row

Transition Row 2: using color A, knit until you're two stitches from first marker, k2tog, yo, slip marker, and k6. Then, using color D, k1, slip marker, yo, ssk, and knit until end of row

Complete these two transition rows, and then we'll continuing decreasing as follows:

Section 8

Row 1 (wrong side): using color D, knit until you reach marker, slip marker, and p1. Then, using color A, p6 and slip marker. Then k1, * k2tog, (yo) twice, k2tog; rep from * until you're 2 stitches before end of row, end k2

Row 2: using color A, (ssk) twice, k2, * k1, (k1, p1) into double yo, k1; rep from * until there's one stitch left before marker, k1, yo, slip marker, and k6. Then, using color D, k1, slip marker, yo, and knit until you have four stitches left before end of row, end (k2tog) twice (-2 stitches)

Row 3: using color D, knit until you reach marker, slip marker, and p1. Then, using color A, p6 and slip marker. Then k4, * k2tog, (yo) twice, k2tog; rep from * until you're 2 stitches before end of row, k2

Row 4: using color A, ssk, * k1, (k1, p1) into double yo, k1; rep from * until there are 4 stitches left before marker, k4, yo, slip marker, and k6. Then, using color D, k1, slip marker, yo, and knit until you have 2 stitches left before end of row, k2tog

Row 5: using color D, knit until you reach marker, slip marker, and p1. Then, using color A, p6 and slip marker. Then k3, * k2tog, (yo) twice, k2tog; rep from * until you're 3 stitches before end of row, k3

Row 6: using color A, (ssk) twice, (k1, p1) in double yo, k1, * k1, (k1, p1) into double yo, k1; rep from * until there's three stitches left before marker, k3, yo, slip marker, and k6. Then, using color D, k1, slip marker, yo, and knit until you have four stitches left before end of row, end (k2tog) twice (-2 stitches)

Row 7: using color D, knit until you reach marker, slip marker, and p1. Then, using color A, p6 and slip marker. Then k2, * k2tog, (yo) twice, k2tog; rep from * until you're 3 stitches before end of row, k3

Row 8: using color A, ssk, k1, * k1, (k1, p1) into double yo, k1; rep from * until there are 2 stitches left before marker, k2, yo, slip marker, and k6. Then, using color D, k1, slip marker, yo, and knit until you have 2 stitches left before end of row, k2tog

Row 9: using color D, knit until you reach marker, slip marker, and p1. Then, using color A, p6 and slip marker. Then k1, * k2tog, (yo) twice, k2tog; rep from * 

Row 10: using color A, (ssk) twice, * k1, (k1, p1) into double yo, k1; rep from * until there's one stitch left before marker, k1, yo, slip marker, and k6. Then, using color D, k1, slip marker, yo, and knit until you have four stitches left before end of row, end (k2tog) twice (-2 stitches)

Row 11: using color D, knit until you reach marker, slip marker, and p1. Then, using color A, p6 and slip marker. Then k4, * k2tog, (yo) twice, k2tog; rep from *

Row 12: using color A, ssk, k2, * k1, (k1, p1) into double yo, k1; rep from * until there are 4 stitches left before marker, k4, yo, slip marker, and k6. Then, using color D, k1, slip marker, yo, and knit until you have 2 stitches left before end of row, k2tog

Row 13: using color D, knit until you reach marker, slip marker, and p1. Then, using color A, p6 and slip marker. Then k3, * k2tog, (yo) twice, k2tog; rep from * until you're 1 stitch before end of row, k1

Row 14: using color A, k1, (ssk) twice, * k1, (k1, p1) into double yo, k1; rep from * until there's three stitches left before marker, k3, yo, slip marker, and k6. Then, using color D, k1, slip marker, yo, and knit until you have four stitches left before end of row, end (k2tog) twice (-2 stitches)

Row 15: using color D, knit until you reach marker, slip marker, and p1. Then, using color A, p6 and slip marker. Then k2, * k2tog, (yo) twice, k2tog; rep from * until you're 1 stitch before end of row, k1 

Row 16: using color A, ssk, (k1, p1) in double yo, k1, * k1, (k1, p1) into double yo, k1; rep from * until there are 2 stitches left before marker, k2, yo, slip marker, and k6. Then, using color D, k1, slip marker, yo, and knit until you have 2 stitches left before end of row, k2tog

Knit rows 1 - 16 twice, and then knit rows 1 - 8 one more time. Now you should have 21 color A stitches outside of your marker (27 in total) and 17 color D stitches outside of your marker (18 in total). Clip your yarn tails and complete two transition rows, as follows:

Transition Row 1 (wrong side): using color A, purl until you reach marker; then, slip marker, p6, and switch to your color C yarn. Using color C, p1, slip marker, purl until end of row

Transition Row 2: using color C, knit until you're two stitches from first marker, k2tog, yo, slip marker, and k1. Then, using color A, k6, slip marker, yo, ssk, and knit until end of row

Complete transition rows 1 & 2 and then we'll continue with our decreases as follows:

Section 9

Row 1: using color A, * k2tog, (yo) twice, k2tog; rep from * until you have 1 stitch left before marker; k1, slip marker, p6. Then, using color C, p1, slip marker, knit until end of row 

Row 2: using color C, (ssk) twice, knit until you reach marker, yo, slip marker, k1; then, using color A, knit until you reach marker, slip marker, yo, k1, * k1, (k1, p1) into double yo, k1; rep from * until you have 4 stitches left in row, (k2tog) twice (-2 stitches)

Row 3: using color A, * k2tog, (yo) twice, k2tog; rep from * until you have 4 stitches left before marker; k4, slip marker, p6. Then, using color C, p1, slip marker, knit until end of row 

Row 4: using color C, ssk, knit until you reach marker, yo, slip marker, k1; then, using color A, knit until you reach marker, slip marker, yo, k4, * k1, (k1, p1) into double yo, k1; rep from * until you have 4 stitches left in row; k2, k2tog

Row 5: using color A, k1, * k2tog, (yo) twice, k2tog; rep from * until you have 3 stitches left before marker; k3, slip marker, p6. Then, using color C, p1, slip marker, knit until end of row

Row 6: using color C, (ssk) twice, knit until you reach marker, yo, slip marker, k1; then, using color A, knit until you reach marker, slip marker, yo, k3, * k1, (k1, p1) into double yo, k1; rep from * until have 5 stitches left in row, (k2tog) twice, k1 (-2 stitches)

Row 7: using color A, k1, * k2tog, (yo) twice, k2tog; rep from * until you have 2 stitches left before marker; k2, slip marker, p6. Then, using color C, p1, slip marker, knit until end of row

Row 8: using color C, ssk, knit until you reach marker, yo, slip marker, k1; then, using color A, knit until you reach marker, slip marker, yo, k2, * k1, (k1, p1) into double yo, k1; rep from * until you have 5 stitches left in row, k1, (k1, p1) in double yo, k2tog

Row 9: using color A, k2, * k2tog, (yo) twice, k2tog; rep from * until you have 1 stitch left before marker; k1, slip marker, p6. Then, using color C, p1, slip marker, knit until end of row 

Row 10: using color C, (ssk) twice, knit until you reach marker, yo, slip marker, k1; then, using color A, knit until you reach marker, slip marker, yo, k1, * k1, (k1, p1) into double yo, k1; rep from * until you have 6 stitches left in row, k2, (k2tog) twice (-2 stitches)

Row 11: using color A, k2, * k2tog, (yo) twice, k2tog; rep from * until you have 4 stitches left before marker; k4, slip marker, p6. Then, using color C, p1, slip marker, knit until end of row 

Row 12: using color C, ssk, knit until you reach marker, yo, slip marker, k1; then, using color A, knit until you reach marker, slip marker, yo, k4, * k1, (k1, p1) into double yo, k1; rep from * until you have 2 stitches left in row; k2tog

Row 13: using color A, k3, * k2tog, (yo) twice, k2tog; rep from * until you have 3 stitches left before marker; k3, slip marker, p6. Then, using color C, p1, slip marker, knit until end of row

Row 14: using color C, (ssk) twice, knit until you reach marker, yo, slip marker, k1; then, using color A, knit until you reach marker, slip marker, yo, k3, * k1, (k1, p1) into double yo, k1; rep from * until have 7 stitches left in row, k1, (k1, p1) in yo, (k2tog) twice (-2 stitches)

Row 15: using color A, k3, * k2tog, (yo) twice, k2tog; rep from * until you have 2 stitches left before marker; k2, slip marker, p6. Then, using color C, p1, slip marker, knit until end of row

Row 16: using color C, ssk, knit until you reach marker, yo, slip marker, k1; then, using color A, knit until you reach marker, slip marker, yo, k2, * k1, (k1, p1) into double yo, k1; rep from * until you have 3 stitches left in row, k1, k2tog

Knit rows 1 - 16 twice and then knit rows 1 - 8 once more. At this point you should have 11 color C stitches outside of your marker (12 in total) and 7 color A stitches outside of your marker (13 in total). Clip your yarn tails and complete two transition rows, as follows:

Transition Row 1 (wrong side): using color B, purl until you reach marker; then, slip marker, p1, and switch to your color A yarn. Using color A, purl until you reach next marker, slip marker, purl until end of row

Transition Row 2: using color A, knit until you're two stitches from first marker, k2tog, yo, slip marker, and k6. Then, using color B, k1, slip marker, yo, ssk, and knit until end of row

Complete these two transition rows, and then we'll end the shawl as follows:

Section 10

End Row 1 (wrong side): using color B, knit until you reach first marker, slip marker, p1; then, using color A, p6, slip marker, k1, (k2tog, (yo) twice, k2tog) twice, k2

End Row 2: using color A, (ssk) twice, k3, (k1, p1) in yo, k2, yo, slip marker, k6; then, using color B, k1, slip marker, yo, k3, (k2tog) twice (-2 stitches)

End Row 3: using color B, knit until you reach first marker, slip marker, p1; then, using color A, p6, slip marker, k4, k2tog, (yo) twice, k2tog, k2

End Row 4: using color A, ssk, k1, (k1, p1) in double yo, k5, yo, slip marker, k6; then, using color B, k1, slip marker, yo, k4, k2tog

End Row 5: using color B, knit until you reach first marker, slip marker, p1; then, using color A, p6, slip marker, k3, k2tog, (yo) twice, k2tog, k3

End Row 6: using color A, (ssk) twice, (k1, p1) in yo, k4, yo, slip marker, k6; then, using color B, k1, slip marker, yo, k2, (k2tog) twice (-2 stitches)

End Row 7: using color B, knit until you reach first marker, slip marker, p1; then, using color A, p6, slip marker, k2, k2tog, (yo) twice, k2tog, k3

End Row 8: using color A, ssk, k2, (k1, p1) in double yo, k3, yo, slip marker, k6; then, using color B, k1, slip marker, yo, k3, k2tog

End Row 9: using color B, knit until you reach first marker, slip marker, p1; then, using color A, p6, slip marker, k1, (k2tog, (yo) twice, k2tog) twice

End Row 10: using color A, (ssk) twice, k1, (k1, p1) in yo, k2, yo, slip marker, k6; then, using color B, k1, slip marker, yo, k1, (k2tog) twice (-2 stitches)

End Row 11: using color B, knit until you reach first marker, slip marker, p1; then, using color A, p6, slip marker, k4, k2tog, (yo) twice, k2tog

End Row 12: using color A, ssk, k6, yo, slip marker, k6; then, using color B, k1, slip marker, yo, k2, k2tog

End Row 13: using color B, knit until you reach first marker, slip marker, p1; then, using color A, p6, slip marker, k3, k2tog, (yo) twice, k2tog, k1

End Row 14: using color A, k1, (ssk) twice, k3, yo, slip marker, k6; then, using color B, k1, remove marker, yo, (k2tog) twice (-2 stitches)

End Row 15: using color B, k3, p1; then, using color A, p6, slip marker, k2, k2tog, (yo) twice, k2tog, k1

End Row 16: using color A, ssk, (k1, p1) in double yo, k3, yo, slip marker, k6; then, using color B, k1, yo, k1, k2tog

End Row 17: using color B, k3, p1; then, using color A, p6, slip marker, k1, k2tog, (yo) twice, k2tog, k2

End Row 18: using color A, (ssk) twice, k3, yo, slip marker, k6; then, using color B, k2, k2tog (-2 stitches)

End Row 19: using color B, k2, p1; then, using color A, p6, slip marker, k6

End Row 20: using color A, ssk, k4, yo, slip marker, k6; then, using color B, k3

End Row 21: using color B, k2, p1; then, using color A, p6, slip marker, k6

End Row 22: using color A, (ssk) twice, k2, yo, slip marker, k6; then, using color B, k1, k2tog (-2 stitches)

End Row 23: using color B, k1, p1; then, using color A, p6, slip marker, k5

End Row 24: using color A, ssk, k3, yo, slip marker, k6; then, using color B, k2

End Row 25: using color B, k1, p1; then, using color A, p6, slip marker, k5

End Row 26: using color A, (ssk) twice, k1, yo, slip marker, k6; then, using color B, k2tog (-2 stitches)

Clip your yarn tail; you're done with color B

End Row 27: using color A, p7, remove marker, k4

End Row 28: using color A, knit

End Row 29: using color A, p7, k4

End Row 30: using color A, ssk, k7, k2tog (-2 stitches)

End Row 31: using color A, p6, k3

End Row 32: using color A, ssk, k5, k2tog (-2 stitches)

End Row 33: using color A, p5, k2

End Row 34: using color A, ssk, k3, k2tog (-2 stitches)

End Row 35: using color A, p4, k1

End Row 36: ssk, k1, k2tog (-2 stitches)

Complete end rows 1 - 36 and then bind off loosely purling rather than knitting. Tuck in ends and block.

Yes, that's a cow in the background. Because it's Switzerland, and I can.