Give Me a V Shawl
By Nancy Hay
This is an easy pattern to make a beautiful and elegant
shawl. You will use “knit in front and
back of the same stitch” (kfb) and knit 2 together (k2tog) to shape it to your
will. The extra fun part is that the V
shape will let it lie nicely on your shoulders without holding it or using a
pin. Use a beautiful yarn. The stitch pattern on big needles goes fast,
gives it a lacy look, and it’s still easy enough for a beginner. It is started on the diagonal until it is wide
enough, then it is knit even, on the diagonal still, until the halfway
mark. Then you change the
direction. You work even again, then
taper down to the finish and bind off the last 2 stitches.
I have kept 3 garter stitches on the edges for stability,
slipping the first stitch of every row for a nice edge.
Supplies:
Yarn: Plymouth Yarn Mushishi, 250g=491yds approximately
Needles: US 13 circular 24” or bigger
Tapestry needle, 2 different
stitch markers
Gauge: 4.5 stitches per 4 inches before blocking, 7.5 Garter
bumps per 4 inches, but not critical.
It’s very stretchy.
Abbreviations:
Inc -- increase
K – knit
Kfb – knit in the front of the stitch, then into the back
loop. 1 st increased
K2tog – knit 2 together.
1 st decreased
Pm – place marker
S1 – Slip one as if to knit
Sm – slip marker
st(s) – stitch(es)
frog – take out rows of stitches (rip-it-rip-it-rip-it)
Stitch pattern (modified from the Purse Stitch):
Row 1 S1, k2, sm, kfb, k to 2 before marker, k2tog, sm, k3
Row 2 S1, k2, sm, (yo, k2tog) repeat to marker, sm, k3
Start on the
diagonal:
Cast on 2 sts.
Row 1 – kfb twice. (4 sts)
Row 2 – s1, kfb twice, k1 (6 sts)
Row 3 – s1, k to end of row.
Row 4 – s1, kfb, k to last 2 sts, kfb, k. (8 sts)
Row 5 – s1, k to end of row
Repeat Rows 4 & 5 until you reach 12 sts, ending after
an odd row.
Row 6 – s1, k2, pm, (yo, k2tog) repeat until 3 sts before
end, yo, pm, k3. Having different stitch
markers here helps you keep track of which row you’re on. Make a note below of which marker is on which
side.
Row 7 – s1, k2, sm, kfb, k to end of row
Repeat rows 6 & 7 until it is as wide as you want the
shawl. Measure the 2 sides of the
triangle that isn’t on the needle. 19
inches is good, but make it as wide as you like. This yarn worked for 19”. End after an even row. Make a note of how many stitches you are
using. Remember that you need an even
number of stitches. The next section you
want to keep the same number of stitches for every row.
(Hint: to keep your sanity as you approach the end, weigh
the triangle you have right now to get an approximation of the amount of yarn
you will need at the end. Write it
down.)
Number of stitches per row ________
Color of yo, k2tog row marker ________
Color of plain row marker ________
Weight of beginning triangle ________
Increase on one end
and decrease on the other to keep the same number of stitches:
Stitch pattern
Row 8 – s1, k2, sm, kfb, K to 2 sts before marker, K2tog, sm,
K3.
Row 9 – s1, k2, sm, (yo, k2tog) repeat until marker, sm, k3.
Repeat rows 8 & 9 until the shorter long side measures
about 34” and the longer side about 50”.
This measurement can easily be changed for your personal fit. End after
an even row.
This is the halfway
point turn around.
Row 10 – s1, K to end of row.
As an easy way to keep track of which row you are on, swap
the markers for each other. If your increase/decrease
row started with an orange marker, change it for the green one. That way, your pattern will be the same and
you don’t have to unlearn it for a new one.
Row 11 & 12 -- repeat rows 8 & 9. Now you will be increasing and decreasing on
the opposite sides and a V will form. If
this is not what you are getting, stop.
Check to see what is happening.
If you are still going the same direction you will need to frog it a bit
to get back to the middle and try again.
Repeat rows 11 & 12 until this side of the V is even
before the last turn with the other side, ending with a Row 12. Weigh your remaining yarn to see if it is
enough.
Decreasing to square
off the end:
Row 13 – s1, k2, sm, k2tog, k to 2 before marker, k2tog, sm,
k3.
Row 14 – s1, k2, sm, (yo, k2tog) repeat until marker, sm,
k3.
Repeat rows 13 & 14 until 12 sts are left, ending after
a Row 14.
Row 15 – s1, k2tog, k6, k2tog, k1. (10 sts) You can remove the markers now.
Row 16 – s1, k to end of row.
Row 17 – s1, k2tog, k4, k2tog, k1. (8 sts)
Row 18 – s1, k to end of row.
Row 19 – s1, k2tog, k2, k2tog, k1. (6 sts)
Row 20 – s1, k to end of row.
Row 21 – s1, k2tog twice, k1. (4 sts)
Row 22 – s1, k to end of row.
Row 23 – k2tog twice. (2 sts)
Row 24 – bind off.
Weave in ends. Block
if desired.
Great pattern! Thanks.
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