Blue Ridge By Angela whisnant
Named for my beloved Blue Ridge Mountainz in Western North Carolina, this shawl's border reminds me oftheir towering peaks... Yow will need....
Yarn:
1 skein Malabrigo Worsted or Manos Del Uruguay Maxima: 1oo% merino worsted, 210-219 yds. I used Malabrig0 color #137, Emerald Blue.
Needles:
1 size 7 (4.5mm), 29-32" circular needle 1 size 8 (5.5mm), 29-32" circular needle Notions: Darning needle, for weaving in ends. Finished Measurements.... 40" wingspan and 1o" wide Gauge... 20 sts and 20 rows = 4"in garter stitch Abbreviationy... Yo Yarn over Yo2 Yarn over needle twice Tbl Through back loop Sts Stitches Rep Repeat
Notey...
\~The shawl will be cast on, and the set up rows will be knit with the size 8 needle. You will then knit the garter stitch portion with the size 7 and switch back to the size 8 in the last lace row to prepare for the stretchy bind off. All this makes Blue Ridge easier to block properly. \~Gauge is very important for keeping this a one-skein project, so get gauge by adjusting needle size. If you think you'd like to do a couple extra pattern repeats of the garter stitch portion to make a larger shawl, then definitely use the Maxima, as it has a few more yards to work with. ^Definitely use the stretchy bind-off. Your shawl will not block correctly if you omit it, and it is so simple, why not do it? The lace edging is the Faroese version of horseshoe lace. You may prefer to use a different double decrease, like sl, k2tog, psso. I think the Faroese version is somewhat neater, so I prefer it, but do as you wish.
To Begiw....
With size 8 circular needle, cast on 3 sts Setup: Row l: Kl, yo, kl, yo, kl (5 sts) Row 2: Knit Row 3: (K1,yo ) 4 times, k1 (9 sts) Row 4: Knit Switch to size 7 circular needle
Increase Rows:
Row 1: K2, yo2, (kl, yo) twice, knit to last 4 stitches, (yo, k1) twice, yo2, k2. Row 2: Knit all stitches, being careful to knit (yo2) through first yo loop and dropping the second loop. Repeat these two increase rows until you have l83 sts on your needles, ending on a wrong side row.
Lace Edging Setup: Row 1: K2, y02,(K1, y0)3 times, knit to last 5 sts, (yo, k1)3 times, y02,k2 (191sts) Row 2: Working yo2 as established; k3, purl across, k3.
Horseshoe Lace Chart
Knit each row of Horseshoe Lace Chart, one time, continuing to knit yo2 as established and keeping first 3 stitches of every row in garter stitch. Knit the last row of the chart onto the larger needle (us8).
All Blank squares indicate a knit stitch on the right side and a knit stitch on the wrong side. Odd numbered rows are right side rows. No stitch Purl Knit 2 together Yarn over Ssk Yo2 (counts as a one stitch increase)
Lace Edging (written Instructions)
Lace Edging:
Row 1: K2, y02, \*k2tog, k3, yo, kl, yo, k3, ssk; rep from \* to last 2 sts; y02, k2. Row 2 and all even rows: K2, K first loop of yo2, dropping second loop, purl across to Yo2, knit yo2 through first loop, dropping second loop, k2. Row 3: K2, y02, kl, \*k2tog, k2, yo, k3, yo, k2, ssk; rep. from \*, across, ending with ssk of last repeat, k1, yo2, k2. Row 5: K2, yo2, k2, \*k2tog, kl, yo, k5, yo, kl, ssk; rep. from \*, across, ending with ssk of last rep; k2, yo2, k2. Row 7: K2, yo2, k3, \*k2tog, yo, k7, yo, ssk; rep. from \*, across, ending with ssk of last rep; k3, yo2, k2. Row 9: K2, y02, k4, \*k2tog, k3, yo, kl, yo, k3, ssk; rep. from \*across, ending with ssk oflast rep; k4, yo2, k2 Row 11: K2, y02, k5, \*k2tog, k2, yo, k3, yo, k2, ssk; rep. from \* across, ending with ssk oflast rep; k5, yo2, k2. Row 13: K2, y02, k6, \*k2tog, kl, yo, k5,yo, kl, ssk; rep. from \*, across, ending with ssk oflast rep; k6, yo2, k2. Row 15: K2, yo2, k7, \*k2tog, yo, k7, yo, ssk; rep. from \*, across, ending with ssk of last rep; k7, yo2, k2. Row 16: Knit as Row 2 onto US 8(5.5mm) circular needle.
Begin Stretchy Bind-off:
This Bind-off is essential to proper blocking. It is so easy to do and super fast, you'll use it often, I promise! To begin: k2tog tbl, slip stitch just worked back to left hand needle, K2tog tbl; repeat until only two sts remain. K2tog tbl, cut yarn and thread back through last remaining loop, pulling tight. Weave in ends and block.
Many Thank....
I wish to thank my most excellent Ravelry pattern testers: Mamma5, Dreamweaver, Knitswithsnicks and Yarnladee. I couldn't have done it without you!
