Hi knitters! When I design a new piece, I love to go all out and try my hand at every possibility no matter the difficulty, I feel like the harder I challenge myself, the more amusing and satisfying the results are. I'll spare you the details of my numerus trials and errors and only present you with the final polished piece. For this shawl, I chose to knit it using Caron's Big Cake, which I've bought recently. I aimed for it to look both complex and tricky, yet very easy to do.
The tricky part of this pattern is actually very easy; you will need to knit both the beginning and the end of the cake at the same time. This does not mean that you use both ends together, but alternately. To put it simply, you start the row with one end of the cake and you keep going until you reach the middle of the row. The center stitch is knitted using the yarn of both ends of the cake, then you complete the rest of the row by switching to the other end. As you keep on knitting, you will see the colors of the yarn switch up and meet in at the center in different arrangements. This means that depending on the cake you have, each time you knit this shawl you will get your own unique version.
You can only imagine how many times I've tried and failed until I figured out the most suitable number of stitches to cast on. I kept trying because I was adamant about using all the cake and not letting any yarn go to waste, and in the end I think I nailed it. I hope you all have a nice knitting day and welcome the soon coming spring with new wonderful projects.
Skill level: Easy
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- Yarn: Caron Big Cake, 100% acrylic, 10.5 oz. (300 g), 603 yards (551 m), in the color Blueberry Scone “26019” (1 cake).
- Circular knitting needles, 32" (80 cm) long, size US 9 (5.5 mm).
- Tapestry needle.
Measurements: width = 21.25" (54 cm), length = 69" (175 cm), approx.
Yardage: 546 - 556 yards (500 - 510 m) approx.
Gauge: 15 sts and 29 rows = 4" x 4" (10 cm x 10 cm) in garter stitch.
Knitting terms:
- st: stitch.
- sts: stitches.
- k: knit.
- yo: yarn over.
- k2tog: knit two stitches together.
- ssk: slip, slip, knit the 2 sts together through back loops.
- k3tog: knit three stitches together.
- RS: right side.
Instructions:
Note:
- Outer strand = the beginning of the cake.
- Inner strand = the other end of the cake.
With the outer strand of the cake, cast on 119 sts, k 1 row, then work as follows:
Row 1 (RS): k 1, yo, k 1 (center st), yo, k to last 2 sts, k2tog.
Row 2: ssk, k to last 3 sts (center st and the sts after), bind on the inner strand of the big cake, k the center st with both strands, k 2 with inner strand.
General pattern
Row 1 (RS): with inner strand, k to center st, yo, with both strands, k center st, with outer strand, yo, k to last 2 sts, k2tog.
Row 2: with outer strand, ssk, k to center st, with both strands, k center st, with inner strand, k to end.
Repeat rows (1-2) until you have 59 sts on each side of the center st (ending with row 2).
General decreasing pattern:
Row 1 (RS): with inner strand, ssk, k to center st, yo, with both strands, k center st, with outer strand, yo, k to last 2 sts, k2tog.
Row 2: with outer strand, ssk, k to center st, with both strands, k center st, with inner strand, k to last 2 sts, k2tog.
Repeat rows (1-2) until you have 1 st on each side of the center st (ending with row 2), k3tog and cut yarn. Weave in loose ends.
I just cast on for this - such a clever idea! - but it seems like I will be adding a stitch every other row in the General Pattern part. I don't see how that will work out if I am supposed to end up with 59 stitches on either side of the center stitch.
ReplyDeleteIn Row 1, there are 2 YO and one K2tog, so a gain of 1 stitch. In Row 2, there is a K2togtbl and a YO, so the stitch count stays even. So it seems like every 2 rows I gain a stitch.
Hi
DeleteThank you for your comment and glad you chose this pattern. Thanks again for pointing out the mistake in the post. It's been corrected.
Have a nice knitting day
Thanks - I look forward to getting going on this!
DeleteRow 1 (RS): k 1, yo, k 1 (center st), yo, k to last 2 sts, k2tog.
ReplyDeleteRow 2: k2togtbl, k to last 3 sts, bind on the inner strand of the big cake, k the center st with both strands, k 2 with inner strand.
In the first row do you knit to the 'center st' then yo and knit to end, then row 2 knit to 3 sts before the center stitch? I sounds like on the 2nd row you go to the end then add the other end of cake.
What is confusing me is that there are 2 sets of Row 1 and Row 2. Do I start with the General Pattern set of Rows 1 and 2?
Wanda
Hi
DeleteIn row 2, the last 3 sts are: (the center st, the yo and the first st ) of Row 1.
Have a nice day
Wiam
Hi again, I am confused again after reading this again. It says cast on 119 sts, so there are already 59 sts on each side of the center stitch. It would seem you would have to cast on less stitches, then increase until you reach 59 on each side. What am I missing?
ReplyDeleteHi
DeleteThere is magic in the design, and when you start making the shawl, you will find out the hidden magic.
Have a nice day
Wiam
In regards to the just above comment: Do I cast on 119 with the 'center stitch very near the beginning on the left and the ~ 117 stitches after it?
ReplyDeleteHi there,
DeleteYes, you got it! that is exactly what you should do.