As you can see, I'm feeling a bit poetic today. Don't worry, it will pass:)
I've been a bit busy recently, but somehow I managed to finish a few projects. The one I'm showing today is Simplicity#2. I knitted it in June while watching a few final games of the World Cup finals. It's the same yarn (only different color), and the same pattern as the gray shawl from
this post. Drums please:
Now for the interesting part: I showed the gray one to someone, and they told me that this is a "granny" shawl. I respectfully disagreed. And later I triumphed a little, because that shawl became very popular at Ravelry! And all the nice words from fellow-knitters matter so much more!:)
Anyway, I've been asked for the pattern, so here it is:
The simplicity shawl
The great thing about this pattern is that it is really... simple. And it does not to be followed that carefully - you can play with it a little:)
Cast on 9 stitches using the provisional method (it's not required, but it will make the central part of the shawl seamless. If you've never tried this method, here is a great
video tutorial. If you go for the provisional cast-on, use the kitchener stitch to put the borders together.)
Row 1:
k1 p1 k1 p1 yo (place marker if necessary)
k1 yo p1 k1 p1 k1 (the green k1 is the center of the triangle - and it's symmetry line. Red marks the borders. It's important, because in every odd row you'll add 4 stitches in these places: after the border (on the inside), and before and after the center stitch)
Row 2 (and other even rows): purl
Row 3: k1 p1 k1 p1 yo k1 yo k1 yo k1 yo p1 k1 p1 k1
Row 5: k1 p1 k1 p1 yo k3 yo k1 yo k3 yo p1 k1 p1 k1
(notice where the yarn over is)
Repeat the line pattern (adding 4 sts in each odd row) for as long as you want (this is the creative part:)) For clarity I'll use the numbers from the my lilac shawl. So repeat to row 34.
Row 35: k1 p1 k1 p1 yo k1 *(yo sl1k1psso)* yo k1 yo *(yo sl1k1psso)* k1 yo p1 k1 p1 k1
(Alternative row 35 /probably most people will find this way easier/: k1 p1 k1 p1 yo *(k2tog yo)* k1 yo k1 yo k1 *(yo k2tog)* yo p1 k1 p1 k1
Row 35 is repeated 4 times, and the number of rows between the repetitions is identical. It's up to you how close these repetitions are. In lilac it's every 26 rows. So it goes like this:
Rows 37-62: knit on the right side, purl on the wrong side, remember the borders, the center stitch and the increase (4 sts on each odd row, as described)
Row 63: repeat row 35
After the 4th repeat continue as in rows 37-62 until you'll reach the number of stitches between YOs divisible by 12 + 1. Then switch to lace pattern according to the diagram:
 |
empty square: knit on the right side, purl on the wrong side; o - yarn over
v upside-dawn - sl1k2togpsso (slip1, knit2tog, pass the slipped stitch over) |
Repeat rows 1-10 five times (or more; again - it's up to you). Remember the increase! When you have enough added stitches to start a new repeat, do it. You can also start a repeat when you have half of required stitches - just remember that in the lace pattern for every YO there has to be a decrease of 1 st.
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| maybe you'll find this photo useful |
When you feel that your shawl is big enough, this is what you do:
Row 10 of the last vertical repeat (wrong side): knit.
Next 1-3 rows (again: up to you. This is to keep the edge from rolling, so if you feel you need more then one repeat, go ahead): garter stitch (knit on both sides).
Cast off loosely. And you're done:)
Now all that's left is to block the shawl. And wear it with pride:)
I hope I haven't made any mistakes in the description, but if you find something, let me know and I'll fix it.
