Anatomy of a Crescent Shawl
There are MANY ways of crafting an asymmetrical crescent shawl. I wanted to calculate the basic math involved in forming a crescent by starting at one end; there are probably lots of ways, but this shawl was formed with the math I share below:
Every person making a yarn purchase during the month of July will be eligible to receive THIS SPECIFIC shawl. No special entry required, just make a yarn purchase and your name will be added into the random drawing to be held on August 1. 🙂
This shawl was created using 1 of the Phydlbitz Quad sets in the “Tea Party” colorway. (By the way, this last one, #354, remains available on the Blog Reader Specials page!)
For sock yarns, I used size 5 circular needle; for laceweight yarns, you can use any size from 1 to 8, depending on how light-and-airy you wish your project to be.
I used one 4 ounce Quad set, and it came up sufficiently for a scarf. For a more ample shawl, use more yarns. You can use any collection of leftover sock yarns in any color combination that pleases you. Or use 4 ounces of laceweight yarns. For sport or worsted weight, using whatever size needle for the texture and drape you wish to achieve.
This is not a formal “garment pattern”, per se, but a technique pattern to form the arcing shape. You are encourage to incorporate your own favorite stitch patterns to see how it alters the shaping — cables, lace stitches, fancy textures, and even color-work ideas are all possible once you know the basic shaping techniques.
Ray’s Simple Basic Asymmetrical Crescent Shawl
Cast on 8.
Note:
In EVERY row: Slip 1st stitch with yarn in front; knit last stitch.
there are 3 garter stitch border stitches on every row, always knit or slipped.
Pattern Row 3 (front): Slip 1, K1, SSK, K1, Kfb, K3 (9 stitches)
Pattern Row 4 (back): Slip 1, K2, [K1 P1 into 4th stitch], P2, K3 (10 stitches)
Pattern Row 6 (back): Slip 1, K2, [K1 P1 into 4th stitch], P3, K3 (11 stitches)
- each front facing row you decrease (SSK) with the 3d and 4th stitch, and then increase [Knit front and back] into the 4th stitch from the end; and
- each back facing row you increase [Knit front and back] into the 4th stitch from the beginning of that row.
Alternatively, if the Kfb feels tight, you can make a YO between the 3rd and 4th stitches from the end on the increasing edge of the shawl.
Then, when you’re nearly out of yarn, knit 6 or 8 rows (3-4 garter stitch ridges), and then bind off loosely.
As for color sequencing — it all depends on your choice of yarns!
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