Sideways Shawl
While visiting customers and yarn shows in Europe recently I took along my sideways shawl project to pass the time on trains, planes and in automobiles. It certainly did the trick. Julia Moore created the original colour combinations and concept for us which she knitted in her Merino Sock version, but I wanted to work it in our Merino Lace single yarn, using the same 3mm needle. Knowing I had a lot more meterage to play with I made a few tweaks decided to only work with 4 colours and to repeat some of them to get more mileage out of the four balls, and to minimise leftovers.
The shawl is worked on quite a simple formula as you’ll see below, so can easily be adjusted to work with different yarns or sizing. And it’s easy to knit, perfect for watching TV or children playing sport, etc.
It is worked sideways, as the name suggests. You cast on one of the side edges and work your way up, decreasing as you go. So the more progress you make the shorter your rows become.
Sizing:
One size, ~200cm wide (full stretch) and ~50cm long
Materials:
4 x 50g cowgirlblues Merino Lace Single
Colours: A = Caramel, B = Ruby Grapefruit, C = Cocoa, D = Faded Rose
1 x 3mm cable knitting needle
Gauge:
22 stitches and 28 rows = 10cm in garter stitch
Instructions:
Cast on 240 stitches in A.
The whole shawl is worked in garter stitch.
Decrease one stitch at the starting end of each right side row by knitting 2 together.
Begin every row by slipping the first stitch knitwise to create a neat selvedge.
Stripe pattern:
Alternate 2 rows each of A and 2 rows of B for 60 rows, beginning each right side row with K2tog (210 stitches)
Knit 20 rows of B (200 stitches)
Knit 2 rows each of B and C for 60 rows (170 stitches)
Knit 20 rows of C (160 stitches)
Knit 2 rows each of C and D for 60 rows (130 stitches)
Knit 20 rows of D (120 stitches)
Knit 2 rows each of D and A for 60 rows (90 stitches)
Knit 20 rows of A (80 stitches)
Knit 2 rows each of A and C for 60 rows (50 stitches)
Knit 20 rows of C (40 stitches)
Knit 2 rows each of C and B for 60 rows (10 stitches)
Knit 20 rows of B
Cast off remaining stitch
Finishing:
Finish away the yarn ends, block and press
We’re working on a new sample in Merino Sock, which will be coming soon
Happy knitting!