Shawl Cast-On Tutorial

Notice the straight edge of the shawl blocking above and the detail photo of the shawl Cast-on (CO) area below, no bumps or wonky transition from CO to knitting. The following CO is the reason why. It's the only CO I will use for shawls and once you try it you'll love it!!

This Cast-On as written gives you 9 stitches on the needles including a 2 stitch border of Garter Stitch on both sides/edges:

1 - Use a provisional cast on with a smooth waste yarn.

2 - Pick up 2 sts of working yarn through back loops of waste yarn.

3 - Knit 7 rows garter stitch.

4 - Pick up 5 stitches along the edge of the rows.

5 - Undo the provisional CO.

6 - Pick up & knit these 2 stitches.

With these 9 sts CO you're ready to start your shawl. For more or fewer border sts adjust step #2 accordingly. Or if you need more or fewer chart sts adjust step #3 accordingly. See two alternates below. (Note: The sts picked up with the waste yarn represent your border sts, the rows knit in garter stitch represent the sts needed for the chart.)

An example of needing 13 sts total CO:

1 - Use a provisional CO with a smooth waste yarn.

2 - Pick up 3 stitches with working yarn through back loops of waste yarn.

3 - Knit 9 rows garter stitch.

4 - Pick up 7 stitches along the edge of the rows.

5 - Undo the provisional CO.

6 - Pick up & knit these 3 stitches.

An example of needing 5 sts total CO (as when making Gail [aka Nightsong]):

1 - Use a provisional CO with a smooth waste yarn.

2 - Pick up 2 stitches with working yarn through back loops of waste yarn.

3 - Knit 3 rows garter stitch.

4 - Pick up 1 stitch along the edge of the rows.

5 - Undo the provisional CO.

6 - Pick up & knit these 2 stitches.

I hope this is helpful because once I understood this shawl CO it made my shawls look so much better. The finished result is seamless! Whom ever it was that invented this was a genius (a total perfectionist too)!!

If there are any discrepancies or issues with the above, please leave a comment for me so that I can correct or fine tune these notes. - Thank you

First Snow and a Textured Shawl

So we finally had our first snow of the year, it was beautiful. The next day we went up to NY State and it was even heavier there. Forgot my camera, but there was a 5" blanket of pristine white coating everything we drove by, it was glorious!!

On a knitting note ... here's my textured shawl, pictured here with a make-shift blocking board. You can see my Textured Shawl recipe here and it will connect you to the original 'recipe' as the designer calls it. I used 4 hanks of Blue Sky Alpaca's 100% alpaca sport weight yarn. I wasn't sure if it would be itchy to wear, but I wore it for the first time today and it's wonderfully soft and warm. The alpaca does shed a little, but it's still worth anyone out there giving it a try. Especially for those who are wool-sensitive, you'll love it!!

I was also thrilled because the pattern allowed me the freedom to use almost every last bit of yarn I have, all that was left was the tiniest remnant leftover. So exciting ... it's the little things, right?!

See an upcoming post for the shawl cast on that makes the smoothest edge.

Gail! My New FO

Although it's been months since I've blogged, I actually have been knitting! Lots of hats and quick knits for other people, and a baby blanket that I should have finished at least 5 months ago (because the little guy was born in June, oooops!!!!) Recently I've been on a search for a shawlette/scarf for myself for the winter transition. Something luxurious and green. What I found was one absolutely gorgeous skein of Halcyon Gemstone Soft Twist Silk yarn (sport weight/100% silk) ... a perfect match for my miniature version of Gail (aka Nightsong). You can find the original here, there are also some pages that will help you to knit this pattern here.

This was an incredible treat for me, a sumptuous yarn to knit with, which made knitting a dream. I was almost tempted to frog the whole thing and start all over again just so that I could knit with this yarn. If you try you'll never regret it, you'll love it and anything you make with it!!! Guaranteed!!!!

Family & Hand Knits

My brother-in-law finally has his fingerless gloves, and just in time for the winter to almost be completely over. He really likes them, but won't wear them to work (which is why I made them for him in the first place, ironically!!) ... he's afraid of ruining them. Hand knits are great because there are always more to be made and give away.

In many ways knitting has fulfilled the spirit of generosity within me, but there just never seems to be enough time each day to devote to making things for others ... you know with life and all getting in the way ... but I find myself falling asleep at night thinking about what projects I have, or my new-found love for entrelac and what colors I will be able to work with next. I think it's gone from love to obsession to disease. There are times when I just want to stop and do something else, but something compels me to keep coming back. I'll see a baby who needs a burp cloth, a mother-to-be and want to make a cozy blanket for her new child, or someone who looks like they need a scarf.

Or ... my sister who keeps reminding me that I have yet to make her the scarf that I have been promising her for over a year. Sorry Sis, but I promised you pics of the scarf I'm working on for you. It might be hard to see what it's going to look like finished since it's still in its beginning stages, but let me know what you think. ;)

Alvina Scarf (Free Pattern)

Alvina Scarf
(A Reversible Cable Scarf)

Yarn:
Malabrigo Worsted Weight Merino Yarn (100% Merino Wool; 216 yds/100g) Jacinto #193 colorway, 2 skeins.

Needles:
-US 9 Circular (A very long circular will work best)
-Tapestry Needle for weaving in ends

Gauge:
4 sts/7 rows = 1" in Stockinette Stitch. (If gauge is slightly off, no problem.)

Size:
One size fits all. Scarf measures approx. 4.5"W x 6' H.

Note:
To make a smooth join between the two skeins, see this tutorial on Felted joins (scroll down page until you can view the video tutorial, very helpful!!).

Cable Stitches:
C8F - Slip 4 stitches onto your cable needle, hold to front of work, K1, P1 (2 times), then K1, P1 (2 times) from the cable needle.
C12F - Slip 6 stitches onto your cable needle, hold to front of work, K1, P1 (3 times), then K1, P1 (3 times) from the cable needle.

Directions:
CO 464 sts.

Rows 1-4: Knit (this will be your garter stitch border).

Row 5 (WS and all other WS rows): K4; *K3; [K1, P1] 4 times; K3; [K1, P1] 6 times, repeat from * 16 more times; K3; [K1, P1] 4 times; K7.

Row 6 (RS): K4; *P3; [K1, P1] 4 times; P3; [K1, P1] 6 times, repeat from * 16 more times; P3; [K1, P1] 4 times; P3; K4.

Row 8: Same as row 6.

Row 10: K4; *P3; C8F; P3; [K1, P1] 6 times, repeat from * 16 more times; P3; C8F; P3; K4.

Row 12: K4; *P3, [K1, P1] 4 times; P3; C12F, repeat from * 16 more times; P3; [K1, P1] 4 times; P3; K4.

Row 14: Same as row 6.
Row 16: Same as row 10.
Row 18: Same as row 6.
Row 20: Same as row 12.
Row 22: Same as row 10.
Rows 24 & 26: Same as row 6.

Rows 27-30: Knit (this will finish off the scarf and leave a nice clean garter stitch border).

BO: *K2tog, place stitch on right needle back onto left needle; repeat from * to end. Leave at least a 6" tail, cut yarn. Weave in ends.


Do not block ... the scarf takes on a very feminine flair unblocked, the cables create twists and ruffles naturally. This is what I think gives the scarf something extra!!

I accept full responsibility for any mistakes in this pattern, so please let me know of any mistakes. You can email me here.

Pattern by Claire Getman, © 2009.

http://clairebearknits.blogspot.com/

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