Welcome to our KnitAlong

We are knitting a Triangular Shawl from the bottom point, up to the top edge. The shawl will be done in garter stitch (knit every row.)
If the only thing you have ever knit is a garter stitch scarf, this is a perfect project to learn how to increase.

If you want to make your shawl in stockinet or another stitch, take a look at the Shawl Workshop.

As promised, I am going to start at the beginning and spell everything out - with lots of pictures. Read through the entire post before taking needles in hand and you will get a feel for the entire process.

Of course, if you are ready to jump right in, here is the pattern.

Casting on:
The "e-wrap" or backward loop cast on is one of the easiest to learn and makes an open, stretchy edge. The down side to the e-wrap cast on is that it is very difficult to knit the first row because each stitch is wrapped tightly around the needle AND the piece of yarn between each stitch gets longer and longer. BUT, if you are just casting on a few stitches, as we are, it is worth trying. Looking at the picture you will notice that I have simply started wrapping the yarn. I never start with a slip knot because I don't want a knot at the edge of my work. If you are more comfortable using a slip knot for your first stitch, go ahead and use it but it is not necessary - YOU decide :-)










Second stitch cast on










Here are all three cast on stitches



Now turn your work and knit the three stitches. They will feel tight on the needle but fortunately, there are only three of them to get through. The next picture shows that row complete. Notice my right needle UNDER the working yarn. I am preparing to work the yarn over (YO) at the beginning of the row. Because my first stitch is a knit stitch, I will do a yarn over by placing my yarn in front of the needle as if I were going to purl.










While holding the yarn in front of my right needle, I insert the right needle into the first stitch to knit it.










Wrap the yarn like you normally do and knit the first stitch.








First stitch completed. On your right needle you have the yarn over (YO) and the first knit stitch - one stitch increased. Now, knit to the end of the row.








First row complete - notice the loop on the right side - this is your first increase. You will be increasing just like this at the beginning of every row. Each row will have one stitch more than the previous row.







Turn your work and repeat the previous row:
Yarn over, knit to the end of the row (one stitch increased.)

Keep repeating this row.
The next picture shows the shawl after ten rows have been worked.










If you are using needles much larger than the size called for on your yarn label, your shawl may look more like this one. Ona's shawl is being worked on US size 17 needles with a rayon ribbon that would normally be knit on US size 10 and the picture is half life size. P.S. the yarn Ona is using is a hand dyed rayon ribbon from Blue Heron.

I will talk about alternatives to garter stitch as well as how to bind off in a later post :-)

Instruction session over - take your needles and give them a test drive. If you have questions put them in the comments and I will answer them. Remember - YOU are in charge of making what YOU want. Pick any yarn and a needle size one or two sizes larger than the label calls for. Cast on three stitches and go for it.

FYI, my ball of yarn has 550 yards and I am going to try to save most of it for knitting while watching the Olympics because I like to do something easy while viewing sports. This knitalong "doesn't have no steenkin' rules" so start when you want, knit what you like, and finish (or not) as you choose. If you want to scan or photograph your knitting progress, let me know as I will be putting together a Gallery so we can see all the shawls!