Friday, December 21, 2012

Best Loved Shawl

     The winter solstice has arrived.  The beautiful holiday traditions are gathering around us like a favorite shawl.  Soon the presents will be all wrapped up and you'll be thinking again about knitting for yourself, so here's a pattern for my own favorite go-to shawl of the last two winters.  I seem to always have this one by my side.


       A version of the Simple Garter Stitch Prairie shawl from Folk Shawls, this one has elongated tails that make sure it stays on, feels great and looks just right, no matter what your holiday attire.  I've even worn it out building snow people.  It looks delightful with fresh snowflakes sparkled on top.  

 

     I knit the second one this summer, also in Dancing Colors, and now it's ready to go for the holidays.  I used one size larger needle on this year's vintage and it is one very large and wrap-worthy piece of knitted joy.  I think the next one will be knit in Unspun Icelandic yarn.   Warm and light as a feather.
       So below are the instructions.  I hope you enjoy this little gift from me to you.   How I'd love to see you all wrapped up in a Best Loved Shawl.


Happy Holidays!


Cheryl Oberle’s
Best Loved Garter Stitch Shawl

© 2012

         

 The Best Loved Shawl is a triangle worked from the bottom to the top, all in garter stitch.  Long tails for secure and elegant wrapping are shaped with extra increases.  Work increases by kfb on rows 1-13 until the bottom border is formed, then use yarn overs as increases and, when the tails are formed, kfb will be used again for additional shaping.

Yarn:  Approx. 1000 yds DK weight yarn.

Needles: circular size 9 or size needled to obtain gauge.

Gauge: 12 sts and 20 rows in 4 inches in garter st.

Finished Size: approx. 84 inches across the top and 35 Inches from top to tip.  Note: the shawl’s extreme width is due to its nice long tails.....perfect for wrapping.

Abbreviations:
 st(s) : stitch(es)
kfb: knit in the front and back of the stitch.
RS : Right side
WS: Wrong side
Cast on 3 sts.
Row: 1: Kfb, k1, kfb. - 5 sts on needle.

Row 2 and all WS rows:  Knit

Row 3: Kfb, knit to last st., kfb. - 7 sts on needle.

Row 5 - 12: repeat rows 3 and 4. - 15 sts. on needle.

Row 13:  Kfb, knit to end.  - 16 sts. on needle.

Row 15:  k8, yo, k8.  - 17 sts on needle.

Row 17:  k8, yo, k1, yo, k8.  - 19 sts. on needle.

Row 19: k8, yo, knit to last 8 sts, yo, k8. - 21 sts. on needle.

Row 20: knit.

Rows 21 - 184: repeat rows 19 and 20. - 185 sts on the needle.
                                                                                        
Long Tail Shaping

Begin increasing at a rate of 4 stitches every other row as follows:

Row 185: K8, yo, k2, kfb, k to last 11 sts of row, kfb, k2, yo, K8.

Row 186 and all even numbered (WS) rows: knit.

Rows 187- 250:  Repeat rows 185 and 186.

Top Edge Yarn Over Row

Row 251 (RS): K8, yo, k1,*yo, k2tog, repeat from * to last 8 sts, yo, k8.

Row 252 (WS):  knit.

Repeat  rows 19 and 20 once, then row 19 once more.
 BO VERY Loosely!      
 Enjoy!

                                              

 

7 comments:

  1. Many thanks. This shawl is beautiful. I look forward to being able to start it soon.

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  2. Thank you Cheryl! This pattern is a lovely gift - we're having a wild wind and rain storm today in Maine - and I wish I had one to wrap up in. I'll be casting on soon. Happy New Year!
    Toby

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  3. Ah! Isn't this the Prairie Shawl?!
    It was the first one I made from your book - and thus far I've made a second, as I work my way through the other patterns in your book. I have to say, however, that I have become infatuated with your Faroese shawls - so my progress through the book's patterns has been slowed by the need to make some of your other Faroese projects!

    Wishing you the best year yet in 2013! Still hope you;ll be invited back to the San Juan Islands some time soon!

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    Replies
    1. Indeed it is a cousin of the Prairie Shawl. This one has long tails, like an Icelandic Triangle to keep it on and make it easy to wrap.

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  4. Thank you Cheryl.
    Merry Merry to you too!
    Sheryl

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  5. Thank you Cheryl,

    The Garter Stitch Shawl actually is my favorite of all my shawls. I have much "fancier" shawls etc, but this is definitely my preferred piece. Can't wait for this variation.

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  6. My best loved shawl is, in fact, the Highland Triangle Shawl from your book. I knit it MANY years ago using wool spun from sheep raised by a friend of mine. I overdyed the wool (which has a wonderfully, springy hand) a bright red. Every morning I wear it in lieu of a bathrobe, pinned closed with a beautiful handmade wooden shawl pin. As I live in the Pacific Northwest where most mornings are cool, it is a welcome and beautiful addition at the breakfast table. :)

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