Traveling Woman Knitting Pattern: A Comprehensive Guide to Sizes, Customizations, and Lace Charts by Liz Abinante

Traveling Uoman / designed by Liz Abinante

Sizes and Customizations

This is the pattern that started it all. The original. The first. The crazy idea that exploded into a series of four patterns. This new version of Traveling Woman contains the following sizes: lace (medium, xlarge), fingering (xsmall, small, medium, large), sport/dk (xsmall, small, xlarge), and worsted (large, xlarge). Instructions are divided up based on yarn weights. Yarn information, gauge, and needle sizes are provided with each individual set of instructions. All of the instructions use the same charts except for lace weight. Lace weight instructions have their own charts. If you wish to do custom sizing, there is a section at the end of the pattern with information and formulas. To customize your shawl further, please refer to the Customizing Your Traveling Woman section of the pattern. A special section for adding eyelets to the body of the shawl is included in this section.

About the original Traveling Woman

Being an indecisive individual, this shawl is named after two things. First, the song “Travelling Woman" by Bat for Lashes (she's British, hence the extra “1"). "Travelling Woman" is a song about a brilliant woman with a promising future, who loses it all because she fell in love with a man who had too much potential, and not enough substance. She sings: “Hang on, travelling woman / Don't sacrifice your plan / Cause it will come back to you / Before you lose it on the man." The edge of the shawl represents the dangerous web of love, as well as its highs and lows. Second, the character Angela Montenegro on Bones. If you're familiar with Angela's character, I think the song selection makes sense: she's artistic, a believer in love, and just the type who might get in a little too deep before she can find her way out (she did get married in Fiji to a complete stranger, afterall). This is the second in a series of patterns based on the characters from the Bones television show. And finally, the yarn used for the original shawl traveled from California to London: it's only fitting that the pattern be named Traveling Woman.

Instructions

Instructions are broken down based on yarn weights. All patterns use the same lace chart and written lace pattern. Each set of instructions includes: yarn, needle, and gauge information; set up instructions; line-by-line increase charts; and repeat information for the lace charts. Please read through the pattern thoroughly before beginning.

Lace Weight

Instructions

If one set of numbers is provided, it applies to all sizes. Size-specific information is provided as follows: medium (xlarge). Row by row stitch counts are on the following 2 pages. For instructions on adding eyelets and using make one increases in the body of the shawl, please see the customizations section.

Cast On

CO 3 sts. Knit 6 rows. Pick up and knit 6 sts along the long edge and cast on edge (9 sts).

Increases

Row 1: (RS) k3, pm, yo, k1, pm, yo, k1, yo, k1, yo, pm, k3 (13 sts) Row 2: (WS) k3, slm, yo, p to last m, yo, slm, k3 (15 sts) Row 3: k3, slm, yo, k to m, yo, slm, k1, slm, yo, k to m, yo, k3 (19 sts) Row 4: k3, slm, yo, p to last m, yo, slm, k3 (21 sts) Repeat rows 3-4 a total of 29 (33) times: 189 (213) sts total. See next page for row-by-row increase counts. Next row: k3, yo, p2tog, p to last 4 sts (removing both center markers as you come to them), p2tog, yo, k3. (189 sts) Next row: k3, slm, yo, pfb,p to last m (removing both center markers as you come to them), pfb, yo, slm, k3. (217 sts)

Lace Charts

Work 2 (4) repeats of Chart A Work 1 repeat of Chart B.

Bind Off

Depending on how much yarn you have left, you can do one of two bind offs. Both are done on a WS row. A looser bind off, if yardage is not a concern (seriously, this thing eats up yarn): p2, sl sts back to left ndl, p2tog. [p1, sl sts back to left ndl, p2togl rpt to end. A lose bind off if yardage is a concern (from the original pattern): p2tog, [slip st back to left needle, p2tog] rpt to end.

Requirements Needle US #6 (4.0mm) needle Gauge, after blocking Per 1 inch: 6 sts. 6.5 rows. Per 4 inches: 24 sts. 26 rows.

Medium

Finished size: 16" depth, 57" wingspan Approximately 470 yards fingering weight

XLarge (shown)

Finished size: 23.5" depth, 70" wingspan Sample knit in Little Red Bicycle Penny Farthing Lace (80% superwash merino, 10% cashmere, 10% nylon. 580 yards/115 grams), shown in Seaglass. Approximately 450 yards used. For instructions on adding eyelets to the body of the shawl please see the Customizations section of the pattern. Increases

Chart A Sizes Medium

Chart A Size XLarge

Chart B, Size Medium

Chart B, Size XLarge

LaceUeightCharts These charts are onb for shawls knit using lace weight.

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Lace Ueight UrittenInstructions These instructions are onfor shals knit using lace weght.

Chart a

Row 1 (RS): k3, yo, k1, [yo, k5, slk2p, k5, yo, k1] to last 3 sts, yo, k3 Row 2: (and all WS rows) k3, yo, work sts in pattern (k the yos) to last 3 sts, yo, k3 Row 3: k3, yo, k2, p1, [k1, yo, k4, slk2p, k4, yo, k1, p1]to last 5 sts, k2, yo, k3 Row 5: k3, yo, k2tog, yo, k2, p1,[k2, yo, k3, slk2p, k3, yo, k2, p1]to last 7 sts, k2, yo, ssk, yo, k3 Row 7: k3, yo, k1, k2tog, yo, k3, p1,[k3, yo, k2, slk2p, k2, yo, k3, p1]to last 9 sts, k3, yo, ssk, k1, yo, k3 Row 9: k3, yo, k1, k2tog, k1, yo, k4, p1, [k4, yo, k1, slk2p, k1, yo, k4, p1]to last 11 sts, k4, yo, k1, ssk, k1, yo, k3 Row 11: k3, yo,k4, yo,k1, yo,k5, p1,[k5, yo, slk2p, yo, k5, p]to last 13 sts, k5, yo,k1, yo, k4, yo,k3 Row 12: as row 2

Chart B

Row 1 (RS): k3, yo, k1, [yo, k5, slk2p, k5, yo, k1]to last 3 sts, yo, k3 Row 2: (and all WS rows) k3, yo, work sts in pattern (k the yos) to last 3 sts, yo, k3 Row 3: k3, yo, k2, p1, [k1, yo, k4, slk2p, k4, yo, k1, p1] to last 5 sts, k2, yo, k3 Row 5: k3, yo, k2tog, yo, k2, p1, [k2, yo, k3, slk2p, k3, yo, k2, p1]to last 7 sts, k2, to, ssk, yo, k3 Row 7: k3, yo, k1, k2tog, yo, k3, p1,[k3, yo, k2, slk2p, k2, yo, k3, p1lto last 9 sts, k3, yo, ssk, k1, yo, k3 Row 9:k3, yo, [k2, k2tog, yo]2x, p1, lyo, ssk, k2, yo, k1, slk2p,k1, yo, k2, k2tog, yo,p1]to last 11 sts, [yo, ssk, k2] 2x, yo,k3 Row 11: k3, yo, k3, k2tog, yo, k2, k2tog, yo, k1, p1, [k1, yo, ssk, k2, yo, slk2p, yo, k2, k2tog, yo, k1, p1]to last 13 sts, k1, yo, ssk, k2, yo, ssk, k3, yo, k3 Row 13: k3, yo, k1, yo, sk, k5, k2tog, yo, k2, p1, [(yo, ssk) 2x, k5, (k2tog, yo) 2x, p1]to last 15 sts, k2, yo, ssk, k5, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, k3 Row 15: k3, yo, k2,[yo,ssk] 2x, k3,[k2tog, yo] 2x, k1, p1,[k1, (yo, ssk) 2x, k3, (k2tog, yo) 2x, k1, p1]to last 17 sts,k1, [yo, ssk] 2x, k3, [k2tog, yo] 2x, k2, yo, k3 Row 17: k3, yo, k3, yo, Sssk, yo]2x, k1, slk2p, k1, yo, [k2tog, yo] 2x, p1,[yo, (ssk, yo) 2x, k1, slk2p, k1, yo, (k2tog, yo) 2x, p1] to last 19 sts, yo,[ssk, yo] 2x, k1, slk2p, k1, yo,[k2tog, yo] 2x, k3, yo, k3 Row 19: k3, yo, k4, yo,[ssk, yo] 3x, slk2p, yo,[k2tog, yo] 2x, k1, p1 [k1, yo, (ssk, yo) 2x, slk2p, yo,(k2tog, yo) 2x, k1, p1]to last 21 sts, k1, yo,[ssk, yo]3x, slk2p, yo, [k2tog, yo]2x, k4, yo, k3

Instructions

If one set of numbers is provided, it applies to all sizes. Size-specific information is provided as follows: xsmall (small, medium, large). Row by row stitch counts are on the following 2 pages.

Cast On

CO 3 sts. Knit 6 rows. Pick up and knit 6 sts along the long edge and cast on edge (9 sts).

Increases

Row 1: (WS) k2, pm, yo, p to last 2 sts, yo, pm, k2 (11 sts) Row 2: (RS) k2, slm, yo, k3, yo, pm, k1, pm, yo, k to marker, yo, slm, k2 (15 sts) Row 3: k2, slm, yo, p to last marker, yo, slm, k2 (17 sts) Row 4: k2, slm, yo, k to marker, yo, slm, k1, slm, yo, k to marker, yo, slm, k2 (21 sts) Repeat rows 3-4 a total of 24 (24, 24, 33) times: 159 (159, 159, 213) sts total. See next page for row-by-row increase counts. Sizes XSmall, Small, and Medium only Next Row: k2, yo, p2tog, p to last 4 sts (removing both center markers as you come to them), p2tog, yo, k2. (159 Sts) SizeLarge onbyNext row: k2, slm, yo, p to last 4 sts (removing both center markers as you come to them), yo, slm, k2 (215 sts)

Lace Charts

Work 2 (3, 4, 4) repeats of Chart A. Work 1 repeat of Chart B.

Bind Off

Depending on how much yarn you have left, you can do one of two bind offs. Both are done on a WS row. A looser bind off, if yardage is not a concern (seriously, this thing eats up yarn): p2, sl sts back to left ndl, p2tog. [p1, sl sts back to left ndl, p2togl rpt to end. A loose bind off if yardage is a concern (from the original pattern): p2tog, [slip st back to left needle, p2tog] rpt to end.

Requirements Needle US #6 (4.0mm) needle Gauge, after blocking Per 1 inch: 5 sts. 7.25 rows. Per 4 inches: 20 sts. 29 rows.

XSmall (shown)

Finished size: 15" depth, 48" wingspan Sample knit in The Plucky Knitter Merino Cashmere Nylon Fingering Weight (80% superwash merino, 10% cashmere, 10% nylon. 385 yards/115 grams), shown in Queensway. Approximately 310 yards used.

Small

Finished size: 17" depth, 56" wingspan Approximately 380 yards fingering weight

Medium

Finished size: 18" depth, 58" wingspan Approximately 440 yards fingering weight

Large

Finished size: 24" depth, 75" wingspan Approximately 600 yards fingering weight

Fingering Rou-ky-Rou Counts

Increases

Chart A Sizes XSmall, Small, & Medium

Chart A Size Large

Chart B, Size XSmall

Chart B, Size Small

Chart B, Size Medium

Chart B, Size Large

Sport & DK Ueights

Instructions

If one set of numbers is provided, it applies to all sizes. Size-specific information is provided as follows: xsmall (small, xlarge). Row by row stitch counts are on the following 2 pages.

Cast On

CO 3 sts. Knit 6 rows. Pick up and knit 6 sts along the long edge and cast on edge (9 sts).

Increases

Row 1: (WS) k2, pm, yo, p to last 2 sts, yo, pm, k2 (11 sts) Row 2: (RS) k2, slm, yo, k3, yo, pm, k1, pm, yo, k to marker, yo, slm, k2 (15 sts) Row 3: k2, slm, yo, p to last marker, yo, slm, k2 (17 sts) Row 4: k2, slm, yo, k to marker, yo, slm, k1, slm, yo, k to marker, yo, slm, k2 (21 sts) Repeat rows 3-4 a total of 24 (24, 31) times: 159 (159, 201) sts total. See next page for row-by-row increase counts. Next Row: k2, yo, p2tog, p to last 4 sts (removing both center markers as you come to them), p2tog, yo, k2. 159 (159, 201) sts

Lace Charts

Work 1 (2, 3) repeats of Chart A. Sizes XSmall and Small ony: Work 1 repeat of Chart B Size XLarge ony: Work rows 1-17 of Chart B.

Bind Off

Depending on how much yarn you have left, you can do one of two bind offs. Both are done on a WS row. A looser bind off, if yardage is not a concern (seriously, this thing eats up yarn): p2, sl sts back to left ndl, p2tog. [p1, sl sts back to left ndl, p2tog] rpt to end. A loose bind off if yardage is a concern (from the original pattern): p2tog, [slip st back to left needle, p2tog] rpt to end.

Reguirements Needle, Sizes XSmall & Small US #7 (4.5mm) needle Gauge, Sizes XSmall & Small Per 1 inch: 4.25 sts. 6.5 rows. Per 4 inches: 17 sts. 26 rows.

XSmall, Sport

Finished size: 14" depth, 50" wingspan Approximately 250 yards sport weight

Small, Sport

Finished size: 16" depth, 54" wingspan Approximately 440 yards fingering weight Needle, Size XLarge US #8 (5.0mm) needle Gauge, Size XLarge Per 1 inch: 4 sts. 6 rows. Per 4 inches: 16 sts. 24 rows. XLarge, DK (shown) Finished size: 24" depth, 72" wingspan Sample knit in Femme Fatale Fibers Lilith DK (100% superwash merino. 260 yards/115 grams), shown in Mystic. Approximately 520 yards used. You will have no yarn left. Check your gauge carefully and have spare or matching yarn handy.

Spart & DK Rou-by-Rou Counts

Increases

Chart A Sizes XSmall & Small

Chart A Size XLarge

Chart B, Size XSmall

Chart B, Size Small

Chart B, Size Large

Instructions

If one set of numbers is provided, it applies to all sizes. Size-specific information is provided as follows: large (xlarge). Row by row stitch counts are on the following page.

Cast On

CO 3 sts. Knit 6 rows. Pick up and knit 6 sts along the long edge and cast on edge (9 sts).

Increases

Row 1: (WS) k2, pm, yo, p to last 2 sts, yo, pm, k2 (11 sts) Row 2: (RS) k2, slm, yo, k3, yo, pm, k1, pm, yo, k to marker, yo, slm, k2 (15 sts) Row 3: k2, slm, yo, p to last marker, yo, slm, k2 (17 sts) Row 4: k2, slm, yo, k to marker, yo, slm, k1, slm, yo, k to marker, yo, slm, k2 (21 sts) Repeat rows 3-4 a total of 24 times: 159 sts total. See next page for row-by-row increase counts. Next Row: k2, yo, p2tog, p to last 4 sts (removing both center markers as you come to them), p2tog, yo, k2. (159 sts)

Lace Charts

Work 2 (3) repeats of Chart A. Work 1 repeat of Chart B.

Bind Off

Depending on how much yarn you have left, you can do one of two bind offs. Both are done on a WS row. A looser bind off, if yardage is not a concern (seriously, this thing eats up yarn): p2, sl sts back to left ndl, p2tog. [p1, sl sts back to left ndl, p2tog] rpt to end. A loose bind off if yardage is a concern (from the original pattern): p2tog, [slip st back to left needle, p2togl rpt to end.

Requirements Needle US #9 (5.5mm) needle

Gauge

Per 1 inch: 4 sts. 5 rows. Per 4 inches: 16 sts. 20 rows.

Large (shown)

Finished size: 18.5" depth, 60" wingspan Sample knit in Malabrigo Rios (100% superwash merino. 210 yards/100 grams), shown in Pearl Ten. Approximately 390 yards used (<2 skeins). You will not have enough yarn for 3 repeats of Chart A with two skeins at this yardage.

XLarge

Finished size: 20" depth, 62" wingspan. Approximately 500 yards worsted weight

Uorsted Rou-by-Rou Counts

Increases

Chart A

Chart B, Size Large

Chart B, Size XLarge

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UrittenInstructions These instructions are for shawls knit using fingering, sport, , or wrste eg.

Chart a

Row 1 (RS): k2, yo, k1, [yo, k5, slk2p, k5, yo, k1] to last 2 sts, yo, k2 Row 2: (and all WS rows) k2, yo, work sts in pattern (k the yos) to last 2 sts, yo, k2 Row 3: k2, yo, k2, p1, [k1, yo, k4, slk2p, k4, yo, k1, p1]to last 4 sts, k2, yo, k2 Row 5: k2, yo, k2tog, yo, k2, p1, [k2, yo, k3, slk2p,k3, yo, k2, p1]to last 6 sts, k2, yo, ssk, yo, k2 Row 7: k2, yo, k1, k2tog, yo, k3, p1,[k3, yo, k2, slk2p, k2, yo, k3, p1]to last 8 sts,k3, yo, sk, k1, yo, k2 Row 9: k2, yo,k1, k2tog, k1, yo,k4, p1,[k4, yo, k1, slk2p, k1, yo,k4, p1lto last 10 sts, k4, yo, k1, ssk, k1, yo, k2 Row 11: k2, yo, k4, yo, k1, yo, k5, p1, [k5, yo, slk2p, yo, k5, p1]to last 12 sts, k5, yo, k1, yo, k4, yo, k2 Row 12: as row 2

Chart B

Row 1 (RS): k2, yo, k1, [yo, k5, slk2p, k5, yo, k1]to last 2 sts, yo, k2 Row 2: (and all WS rows) k2, yo, work sts in pattern (k the yos) to last 2 sts, yo, k2 Row 3: k2, yo, k2, p1, [k1, yo, k4, slk2p, k4, yo, k1, p1] to last 4 sts, k2, yo, k2 Row 5: k2, yo, k2tog, yo, k2, p1, [k2, yo, k3, slk2p,k3, yo, k2, p1]to last 6 sts, k2, to, ssk, yo, k2 Row 7: k2, yo, k1, k2tog, yo, k3, p1, [k3, yo, k2, slk2p, k2, yo,k3, p1]to last 8 sts, k3, yo, ssk, k1, yo, k2 Row 9: k2, yo,[k2, k2tog, yo]2x, p1, [yo, ssk, k2, yo, k1, slk2p, k1, yo, k2, k2tog, yo, p]to last 10 sts, [yo, ssk, k2] 2x, yo,k2 Row 11: k2, yo, k3, k2tog, yo,k2, k2tog, yo,k1, p1,[k1, yo, sk, k2, yo, slk2p, yo,k2, k2tog, yo,k1, p]to last 12 sts, k1, yo, ssk, k2, yo, sk, k3, yo, k2 Row 13: k2, yo, k1, yo, ssk, k5, k2tog, yo, k2, p1, [(yo, ssk) 2x, k5, (k2tog, yo) 2x, p1]to last 14 sts, k2, yo, ssk, k5, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, k2 Row 15: k2, yo, k2,[yo,ssk] 2x, k3, [k2tog, yo] 2x, k1, p1,[k1, (yo, sk) 2x, k3, (k2tog, yo) 2x, k1, p1] to last 16 sts, k1, [yo, ssk] 2x, k3, [k2tog, yo] 2x, k2, yo, k2 Row 17: k2, yo, k3, yo, [ssk, yo] 2x, k1, slk2p, k1, yo,[k2tog, yo] 2x, p1, [yo, (ssk, yo) 2x, k1, slk2p, k1, yo, (k2tog, yo) 2x, p1] to last 18 sts, yo, [ssk, yo] 2x, k1, slk2p, k1, yo,[k2tog, yo] 2x, k3, yo, k2 Row 19:k2, yo,k4, yo,[ssk, yo]3x, slk2p, yo,[k2tog, yo]2x, k1, p1 [k1, yo,(ssk, yo)2x, slk2p, yo, (k2tog, yo)2x,k1, p1] to last 20 sts, k1, yo, [ssk, yo]3x, slk2p, yo, [k2tog, yo] 2x, k4, yo, k2

Customiging Your Traveling Uoman

Invisible Spine Increases

Rather than working the shawl with a yarn over spine, you may choose to use make one increases instead (pictured right in the lace version). I have maintained yarn overs along the garter stitch border in this sample in order to facilitate easier blocking. I've used k2 border here because all of the yarn weights (except for lace) call for a k2 border. Lace weight calls for a k3 border. Adjust accordingly. Work make one increases as follows for the spine: (RS) k2, slm, yo, k to m, m1R, slm, k1, slm, m1L, k to m, yo, slm, k2 m1R: with your left needle, pick up the strand that runs between needles from back to front. Knit the st you just picked up through the front of the loop. m1L: with your left needle, pick up the strand that runs between needles from front to back. Knit the st you just picked up through the back loop. With a little bit of math, you can increase your shawl to almost any size. The basic math is as follows for a 2 stitch garter border:

Change the +4 to +6 for lace weight.

Follow the set up instructions for any of the patterns (except for lace weight) to increase.

Custom Sizing

Most of the time the increase math will require you to add decreases or extra increases on the last WS row before working Chart A. For examples on how to adjust your stitch count, see the different sets of size instructions.

Traveling Uoman with Eyelets

To add eyelets, you'll need to determine where in the stockinette body you'd like them to begin. For ease of substitution, the eyelet lace repeat is the same number of rows and stitches across as Chart A. To make the eyelets more aesthetically pleasing, I did not include the purl stitches on RS rows in Charts A and B: I worked them as knit stitches on RS rows instead. As a result, the eyelet chart does not contain purl stitches. In the sample shown, I increased to work 11 repeats across (161 sts). I worked 2 repeats of the eyelet chart, increasing as written to 217 sts (enough for 15 repeats across of Chart A). The eyelet chart shown has a two stitch garter border. If you are knitting the lace weight version, you'll need to work the border with 3 stitches as opposed to 2.

Lace Written

Row 1 (RS): k2, yo, k1 [k5, yo, slk2p, k6]to end, yo, k2 Row 2 (and all WS rows): k2, yo, p to last 2 sts, yo, k2 Row 3: k2, yo, k3, [k5, yo, slk2p, k6] to end, k2, yo, k2 Row 5: k2, yo, k5,[k5, yo, slk2p, k6] to end, k4, yo, k2 Row 7: k2, yo, k1, yo, k6,[k5, yo, slk2p, yo, k6]to end, k5, yo, k1, yo, k2 Row 9: k2, yo, k1, yo, slk2p, yo, k6,[k5, yo, slk2p, yo, k6] to end, k5, yo, slk2p, yo, k1, yo, k2 Row 11: k2, yo, k1, kfb, k1, yo, slk2p, yo, k6, [k5, yo, slk2p, k6]to end, k5, yo, slk2p, yo, k1, kfb, k1, yo, k2

Qbreviations k: knit p: purl sl: slip tbl: through the back loop psso: pass the slipped stitch over kfb: knit through the front and back loop k2tog: knit two together k3tog: knit three together ssk: slip, slip, knit two slipped stitches together p2tog: purl two together slk2p: sl1, k2tog, psso CO: cast on BO: bind off st: stitch sts: stitches rem: remain(ing) rpt: repeat rpts: repeats ndl: needle yo: yarn over RS: right side WS: wrong side

knit RS:knit stitch WS: purl stitch yo RS:Yarn Over WS:Yarn Over No Stitch RS:Placeholder -No stitch made. WS:none defined sl1k2tog psso RS: slip 1, k2tog. pass slip stitch overk2tog WS: none defined purl RS:purl stitch WS:knit stitch k2tog RS: Knit two stitches together as one stitch WS: Purl 2 stitches together ssk RS: Slip one stitch as if to knit, Slip another stitch as if to knit. Insert left-hand needle into front of these 2 stitches and knit them together WS: Purl two stitches together in back loops, inserting needle from the left, behind and into the backs of the 2nd & 1st stitches in that order kfb RS:Knit into the front and back of the stitch WS: Purl into the front and the back of the stitch