Square and Rectangular Shawls The simplest square and rectangular shawls are constructed by casting on the desired number of stitches and knitting in one direction. For stitch motifs with a particular direction, it is possible to construct the shawl in two parts, either by knitting from the edges to the center or from the center to the edges. The center can be joined or grafted invisibly. Some square shawls use a center-out cast on and are con-
structed like the medallions on page 63. A similar method can be used to construct a rectangular shawl circularly, although in this case the shawl is begun by casting on a row of stitches and then joining to work in the round. Most often, square shawls are folded in half and worn over the shoulders, but squares can also be constructed with openings so that they can be draped over the front as well as the wearer’s back. RECTangular shawls
square shawls LEFT A stitch pattern based on garter stitch works best when designing a square shawl worked diagonally. Cast on 1–5 stitches. Increase 1 stitch at each edge on right-side rows and work even on wrong-side rows. When the diameter of the square is the width desired, decrease 1 stitch at each edge on right-side rows and work even on wrong-side rows. The increases and decreases can be positioned a few stitches from the edge of the square to create a border.
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RIGHT To make a shawl knit froom the outer edge to the center, with a circular needle, cast on 4 times theVogue number Rev 7/7/2017 lt mauve c25 m40 y10 k10 Knitting Ultimate Knitting Book created 5/23/2017to create #283a3 of stitches needed one side of the square. Place a marker for the beginning of the For a shawl worked For a rectangular shawl round and place 3 additional in one direction, with matching edges, work Rev 7/7/2017 lt mauve c25 m40 y10 k10 Rev 7/7/2017 lt mauve Ultimate c25 m40 y10Knitting k10 markers to divide the stitches Vogue Knitting Book Vogue Knitting Ultimate Knitting Book determine the desired itcreated in two parts from the #283a2 created 5/23/2017 #283a1 5/23/2017 into 4 equal sections. Join, being width and length. edges to the center. Cast careful not to twist the stitches. Choose a stitch on the correct number of Decrease before and after each pattern. Make a gauge stitches and work until the marker in every other round, swatch in the desired piece is half the desired until 8 stitches remain. Change stitch pattern. Cast on length. Place the stitches to double-pointed needles when the number of stitches on scrap yarn or a stitch there are too few stitches to equal to the desired holder. Work the second fit comfortably on the circular width, considering the part to match the first, and needle. Cut the yarn, leaving multiple in the pattern graft the two halves. a long tail, and thread the tail stitch and any border To work from center through the open stitches. Rev 7/7/2017 lt mauve c25 m40 y10 k10 Vogue Knitting Ultimate Knitting Book stitches. Work in rows to the edges, start with a created 5/23/2017 #283a4 Paired directional decreases, to the desired length. provisional cast on. Knit to such as a k2tog and a SKP, Bind off. half the desired length and give the diagonal lines a bind off. Place the cast-on pleasing appearance. stitches on the needle and work the second half of the shawl.
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