Fall of Leaves: A Top-Down Construction Shawl Pattern for Experienced Knitters with Lace Knitting Techniques

Fall of Leaves:

Fall of Leaves is a top-down construction shawl that should be moderately difficult for knitters experienced with lace knitting. For knitters with little to no experience with lace knitting it is likely to be more than moderately difficult, due to asymmetrical pattern repeats and the common use of double-decreases. This pattern comes with full written instructions and is also fully charted.

Acknowledgements:

I came up with the first version of what has since turned into this pattern while trying to make the best use of a beautiful skein of handspun Spunky Eclectic Spunky Club Fiber from BrineyDeep. This pattern was inspired by the start of Ysolda Teague's beautiful Orcbid Thief Shawlette and the edging of Emily Ross? Haruni. I liked the result so much, I decided to write it up the pattern, and when I found the madelinetosh tosb sock it was so perfect for the pattern, I couldn't resist. It turned out to be perfect for pattern-writing as well, surviving many extensive froggings without breaking or piling. Pattern writing turned out to be a lot more challenging than I expected and the intelligibility of this pattern is due to the comments and advice of my wonderful test knitters, Lizbert and wizardlizard. Any errors in the pattern notes or charts or confusion in the instructions are solely my own responsibility.

Materials:

madelinetosh tosh sock, 395 yards, in Terra US size 5 (3.75 mm) circular needle, at least 24" long US size 8 (5.00 mm) needle (for casting off) Stitch markers (if desired) Tapestry needle (to weave in ends) Blocking pins

Measurements:

16" deep, 32" across, 32" along neckline

Abbreviations:

k1(2,3) - knit one (two, three) stitch k2tog - knit 2 together k3tog - knit 3 together s2tog k1 psso - slip 2 together, knit one, pass slipped stitch over ssk - slip, slip, knit slipped stitches together sssk - slip, slip, slip, knit slipped stitches together yo - yarn over

Fall of Leaves

Instructions:

Charts 1 through 3 are fairly straight forward, where the shaded areas are repeated the number of times indicated above each chart. There are four sections to this shawl, between each of the large leaves formed in charts 1 through 3. Charts 4 through 9 are written out in multiple charts including the beginning, end, asymmetrical or pattern repeats, and the symmetrical pattern above the large leaf tips (formed in charts 1 through 3). I designed this pattern to alternate the asymmetrical repeats each time they were encountered so that the leaves would not twist in the same direction each time. So, if a chart requires 3 asymmetrical repeats in a section (between large leaves), the first repeat follows L (left slanting repeat), the second repeat follows R (right slanting repeat), and the third repeat L again. In the next section, the repeat should be R, then L, then R again, and so on across the chart. This is the case for charts 4 and 6. For charts 5 and 7, the symmetrical (S) pattern above the tip of the large leaves should count as a repeat in the LRLR pattern, so if the first section ends with R, the second section will start with R, and so on between the sections across the chart. For charts 8 and 9, the pattern repeats are symmetrical. More explicitly, I worked the repeats in charts 4 to 7 as follows: Chart 4: L S R S L S R. Chart 5: LR S RL S LR S RL. Chart 6: LRL RLR LRL RLR. Chart 7: LRL S LR S RL S LRL..

If you chose to work this pattern more simply, you can use one of the asymmetrical repeats exclusively in each section, where you always use repeat L in section one, always use repeat R in section two, and so on. To improve the simplicity of the written instructions, there are “pattern repeat’ or “asymmetrical repeat" sections that outline the repeated sections for each row in charts 3 through 9 before the charts’ written instructions. Finishing: Cast off in pattern (row 107) using a size US 8 needle. Use this for a more delicate edging. Alternately, knit row 107 on US 5s according to pattern, switch to US 8s and cast off on row 108 (WS) in the following pattern: k3, p to end, k3. This will produce a more stable, less delicate edging. You may need to use a size between US 5 and US 8 to achieve a springy edge without too much slack.

Set-up rows:

Cast on 3 stitches. Turn and k3 six times. Turn. Row 1: K3, pick up 6 st (3 on side, 3 on cast-on edge). 9 st. Row 2 (WS): K3, p3, k3. (For all WS rows, k3, p all but last 3, k3. These rows are not charted.) Fall of Leaves

Chart 1:

Row 3: K3, yo, (k1 yo)x3, k3. 13 st. Row 5: K3, yo, (k1 yo)x7, k3. 21 st. Row 7: K3, (yo k2tog yo), (k1 yo)x11, ssk, yo, k3. 33 st. Row 9: K3, (yo k2tog yo), \*k2tog k1, (yo k1 yo), k1 ssk, (yo k1 yo),\* repeat \* to \* 2x, k2tog k1, (yo k1 yo), k1 ssk, (yo ssk yo), k3. 39 st. Row 11: K3, (yo k2tog yo), \*k2tog k2, (yo k1 yo), k2 ssk, (yo k1 yo),\* repeat \* to \* 2x, k2tog k2, (yo k1 yo), k2 ssk, (yo ssk yo), k3. 45 st. Row 13: K3, (yo k2tog yo), \*k2tog k3, (yo k1 yo), k3 ssk, (yo k1 yo),\* repeat \* to \* 2x, k2tog k3, (yo k1 yo), k3 ssk, (yo ssk yo), k3. 51 st. Row 15: K3, (yo k2tog yo), \*k2tog k4, (yo k1 yo), k4 ssk, (yo k1 yo),\* repeat \* to \* 2x, k2tog k4, (yo k1 yo), k4 ssk, (yo ssk yo), k3. 57 st. Row 17: K3, (yo k2tog yo), \*k2tog k5, (yo k1 yo), k5 ssk, (yo k1 yo),\* repeat \* to \* 2x, k2tog k5, (yo k1 yo), k5 ssk, (yo ssk yo), k3. 63 st. Row 19: K3, (yo k2tog yo), \*k2tog k6, (yo k1 yo), k6 ssk, (yo k1 yo),\* repeat \* to \* 2x, k2tog k6, (yo k1 yo), k6 ssk, (yo ssk yo), k3. 69 st. Row 21: K3, (yo k2tog yo), \*k2tog k7, (yo k1 yo), k7 ssk, (yo k1 yo),\* repeat \* to \* 2x, k2tog k7, (yo k1 yo), k7 ssk, (yo ssk yo), k3. 75 st. Row 23: K3, (yo k2tog yo), \*k2tog k8, (yo k1 yo), k8 ssk, (yo k1 yo),\* repeat \* to \* 2x, k2tog k8, (yo k1 yo), k8 ssk, (yo ssk yo), k3. 81 st. Row 25: K3, (yo k2tog yo), \*k2tog k19 ssk, (yo k1 yo),\* repeat \* to \* 2x, k2tog k19 ssk, (yo ssk yo), k3. 81 st.

Chart 2:

Row 27: K3, \*yo, (k1 yo)x3, ssk k17 k2tog,\* repeat \* to \* 3x, (yo k1)x3, yo, k3. 91 st. Row29: K3, \*(yo k1 yo), k2, (yo k1 yo), k2, (yo k1 yo), ssk k15 k2tog,\* repeat \* to \* 3x, (yo k1 yo), k2, (yo k1 yo), k2, (yo k1 yo), k3. 109 st. Row 31: K3, \*(yo k2tog yo), k2tog k2, (yo k1 yo), k2 ssk, (yo ssk yo), ssk k13 k2tog,\* repeat \* to \* 3x, (yo k2tog yo), k2tog k2, (yo k1 yo), k2 ssk, (yo ssk yo), k3. 111 st. Row 33: K3, \*(yo k2tog yo), k2tog k3, (yo k1 yo), k3 ssk, (yo ssk yo),ssk k11 k2tog,\* repeat \* to \* 3x, (yo k2tog yo), k2tog k3, (yo k1 yo), k3 ssk, (yo ssk yo), k3. 113 st. Row35: K3, \*(yo k2tog yo), k2tog k9 ssk, (yo ssk yo),ssk k9 k2tog,\* repeat \* to \* 3x, (yo k2tog yo), k2tog k9 ssk, (yo ssk yo), k3. 107 st. Fall of Leaves

Pattern repeat for chart 3:

Row 37: [ssk k7 k2tog, (yo k1)x3, yo] 16 st. Row 39: [ssk k5 k2tog, (yo k1 yo), k2, (yo k1 yo), k2, (yo k1 yo)] 20 st. Row 41: [ssk k3 k2tog, (yo k2tog yo), k2tog k2, (yo k1 yo), k2 ssk, (yo ssk yo)] 20 st. Row 43: [ssk k1 k2tog, (yo k2tog yo), k2tog k3, (yo k1 yo), k3 ssk, (yo ssk yo)] 20 st. Row 45: [s2tog k1 psso, (yo k2tog yo), k2tog k9 ssk, (yo ssk yo)] 18 st.

Chart 3:

Row 37: K3, yo, (k1 yo)x3, [pattern repeat]x7, k3. 125 st. Row39: K3, (yo k1 yo), k2, (yo k1 yo), k2, (yo k1 yo), [pattern repeat]x7, k3. 159 st. Row 41: K3, (yo k2tog yo), k2tog k2, (yo k1 yo), k2 ssk, (yo ssk yo), [pattern repeat]x7, k3. 161 st. Row43: K3, (yo k2tog yo), k2tog k3, (yo k1 yo), k3 ssk, (yo ssk yo), [pattern repeat]x7, k3. 163 st. Row 45: K3, (yo k2tog yo), k2tog k9 ssk, (yo ssk yo), [pattern repeat]x7, k3. 149 st. Asymmetrical repeat pattern for charts 4 to 6: Rows ending in 7: alternate L (left slanting) or R (right slanting) option each time you come to an asymmetrical repeat L: [ssk k7 k2tog, yo, (k1 yo)x2, ssk, (yo ssk yo)] 18 st. R: [ssk k7 k2tog, (yo k2tog yo), k3tog, (yo k1)x2, yo] 18 st. Rows ending in 9: alternate L or R option each time you come to an asymmetrical repeat, for example, 9] On top of 7L. L: [ssk k5 k2tog, (yo k1 yo), k2, (yo k1 yo), k1 ssk, (yo ssk yo)] 20 st. R: [Sssk k5 k2tog, (yo k2tog yo), k2tog k1, (yo k1 yo), k2, (yo k1 yo] 20 st. Rows ending in 1: these rows are symmetrical (and the same as 41 for chart 3) [ssk k3 k2tog, (yo k2tog yo), k2tog k2, (yo k1 yo), k2 ssk, (yo ssk yo)] 20 st. Rows ending in 3: these rows are symmetrical (and the same as 43 for chart 3) [ssk k1 k2tog, (yo k2tog yo), k2tog k3, (yo k1 yo), k3 ssk, (yo ssk yo)] 20 st. Rows ending in 5: these rows are symmetrical (same as 45 for chart 3) [s2tog k1 psso, (yo k2tog yo), k2tog k9 ssk, (yo ssk yo)] 18 st.

Fall of Leaves

Chart 4:

Row 47: K3, yo, (k1 yo)x3, \*[asymmetrical repeat],ssk k7 k2tog, (yo k1)x7, yo,\* repeat \* to \* 3x, [asymmetrical repeat], ssk k7 k2tog, (yo k1)x3, yo, k3. 173 st. Row 49: K3, (yo k1 yo), k2, (yo k1 yo), k2, (yo k1 yo), \*[asymmetrical repeat], ssk k5 k2tog, (yo k1 yo), k2, (yo k1 yo), k1 ssk, (yo k1 yo), k2tog k1, (yo k1 yo), k2, (yo k1 yo),\* repeat \* to \* 3x, [asymmetrical repeat], ssk k5 k2tog, (yo k1 yo), k2, (yo k1 yo), k2, (yo k1 yo), k3. 209 st. Row 51: K3,(yo k2tog yo),k2tog k2, (yo k1 yo), k2 ssk,(yo ssk yo),\*[asymmetrical repeat],ssk k3 k2tog, (yo k2tog yo), k2tog k2, (yo k1 yo), k2 ssk, (yo k1 yo), k2tog k2, (yo k1 yo), k2 ssk, (yo ssk yo),\* repeat \* to \* 3x, [asymmetrical repeat]x2, k3. 217 st. Row 53: K3, (yo k2tog yo), k2tog k3, (yo k1 yo), k3 ssk, (yo ssk yo), \*[asymmetrical repeat], ssk k1 k2tog, (yo k2tog yo), k2tog k3, (yo k1 yo), k3 ssk, (yo k1 yo), k2tog k3, (yo k1 yo), k3 sk, (yo ssk yo),\* repeat \* to \* 3x, [asymmetrical repeat]x2, k3. 225 st. Row55: K3, (yo k2tog yo), k2tog k9 ssk, (yo ssk yo), \*[asymmetrical repeat], s2tog k1 psso, (yo k2tog yo), k2tog k9 ssk, (yo k1 yo), k2tog k9 ssk, (yo ssk yo),\* repeat \* to \* 3x, [asymmetrical repeat]x2, k3. 209 st.

Chart 5:

Row 57: K3, yo, (k1 yo)x3, \*[asymmetrical repeat]x2, ssk k7 k2tog, (yo k1)x3, yo,\* repeat \* to \* 3x, [asymmetrical repeat]x2, sk k7 k2tog, (yo k1)x3, yo, k3. 221 st. Row59: K3, (yo k1 yo), k2, (yo k1 yo), k2, (yo k1 yo), \*[asymmetrical repeat]x2, ssk k5 k2tog, (yo k1 yo), k2, (yo k1 yo), k2, (yo k1 yo),\* repeat \* to \* 3x, [asymmetrical repeat]x2, ssk k5 k2tog, (yo k1 yo), k2, (yo k1 yo), k2, (yo k1 yo), k3. 259 st. Row 61: K3, (yo k2tog yo), k2tog k2, (yo k1 yo), k2 ssk, (yo ssk yo),[asymmetrical repeat]x12, k3. 261 st. Row 63: K3, (yo k2tog yo), k2tog k3, (yo k1 yo), k3 ssk, (yo ssk yo),[asymmetrical repeat]x12, k3. 263 st. Row 65: K3, (yo k2tog yo), k2tog k9 ssk, (yo ssk yo), [asymmetrical repeat]x12, k3. 239 st.

Chart 6:

Row 67: K3, yo, (k1 yo)x3, [asymmetrical repeat]x12, ssk k7 k2tog, (yo k1)x3, yo, k3. 245 st. Row 69: K3, (yo k1 yo), k2, (yo k1 yo), k2, (yo k1 yo), [asymmetrical repeat]x12, ssk k5 k2tog, (yo k1 yo), k2, (yo k1 yo), k2, (yo k1 yo), k3. 279 st. Row71: K3, (yo k2tog yo), k2tog k2, (yo k1 yo), k2 ssk, (yo ssk yo), [asymmetrical repeat]x13, k3. 281 st. Row 73: K3, (yo k2tog yo), k2tog k3, (yo k1 yo), k3 ssk, (yo ssk yo), [asymmetrical repeat]x13, k3. 283 st. Row 75: K3, (yo k2tog yo), k2tog k9 ssk, (yo ssk yo), [asymmetrical repeat]x13, k3. 257 st. Repeat charts 4-6 as many times as desired, ending with chart 6. For small shawl, only knit 4-6 once. Fall of Leaves

Asymmetrical repeat pattern for chart 7:

Rows ending in 7: alternate L (left slanting) or R (right slanting) option each time you come to an asymmetrical repeat (as for charts 4 to 6) L: [ssk k7 k2tog, yo, (k1 yo)x2, sssk, (yo ssk yo)] 18 st. R: [ssk k7 k2tog, (yo k2tog yo), k3tog, (yo k1)x2, yo] 18 st. Rows ending in 9: alternate L or R option each time you come to an asymmetrical repeat, for example, 9L On top of 7L. L: [ssk k5 k2tog, (yo k1 yo), k2, (yo k1 yo), k1 ssk, (yo ssk yo)] 20 st. R: [ssk k5 k2tog, (yo k2tog yo), k2tog k1,(yo k1 yo), k2, (yo k1 yo] 20 st. Rows ending in 1: these rows are symmetrical (and the same as for charts 3-6) [ssk k3 k2tog, (yo k2tog yo), k2tog k2, (yo k1 yo), k2 ssk, (yo ssk yo)] 20 st. Rows ending in 3: these rows are symmetrical (and the same as for charts 3-6) [ssk k1 k2tog, (yo k2tog yo), k2tog k3, (yo k1 yo), k3 ssk, (yo ssk yo)] 20 st. Rows ending in 5: these rows are symmetrical (and different from charts 3-6) [s2tog k1 psso, (yo k2tog yo), k2tog k4, (yo k1 yo), k4 ssk, (yo ssk yo)] 20 st.

Chart 7:

Row 77: K3, yo, (k1 yo)x3, [asymmetrical repeat], \*[asymmetrical repeat]x2, ssk k7 k2tog, (yo k1)x7, yo,\* repeat \* to \* 3x, [asymmetrical repeat]x3, ssk k7 k2tog, (yo k1)x3, yo, k3. 263 st. Row 79: K3, yo, k2tog k1, (yo k1 yo), k2, (yo k1 yo), [asymmetrical repeat], \*[asymmetrical repeat],ssk k5 k2tog, (yo k1 yo), k2, (yo k1 yo), k1 ssk, (yo k1 yo), k2tog k1, (yo k1 yo), k2, (yo k1 yo),\* repeat \* to \* 3x, [asymmetrical repeat]x3, sk k5 k2tog, (yo k1 yo), k2, (yo k1 yo), k1 ssk, yo, k3. 305 st. Row 81: K3, yo, k2tog k2, (yo k1 yo), k2 ssk, (yo ssk yo), [asymmetrical repeat],\*[asymmetrical repeat]x2, ssk k3 k2tog, (yo k2tog yo), k2tog k2, (yo k1 yo), k2 ssk, (yo k1 yo), k2tog k2, (yo k1 yo), k2 ssk, (yo ssk yo),\* repeat \* to \* 3x, [asymmetrical repeat]x4, k3. 313 st. Row 83: K3, yo, k2tog k3, (yo k1 yo), k3 ssk, (yo ssk yo), [asymmetrical repeat], \*[asymmetrical repeat]x2, ssk k1 k2tog, (yo k2tog yo), k2tog k3, (yo k1 yo), k3 ssk, (yo k1 yo), k2tog k3, (yo k1 yo),k3 ssk, (yo ssk yo),\* repeat \* to \* 3x, [asymmetrical repeat]x4, k3. 321 st. Row 85: K3, yo, k2tog k4, (yo k1 yo), k4 ssk, (yo ssk yo), [asymmetrical repeat], \*[asymmetrical repeat]x2, s2tog k1 psso, (yo k2tog yo), k2tog k4,(yo k1 yo), k4 ssk, (yo k1 yo), k2tog k4, (yo k1 yo), k4 ssk,

Pattern repeat for chart 8:

Row87: [yo, ssk k1 k2tog, yo, k2tog k5, (yo k1 yo), k5 ssk] 20 st. Row89: [yo, s2tog k1 psso, yo, k2tog k6, (yo k1 yo), k6 ssk] 20 st. Row 91: [(yo k1 yo), k2tog k15 ssk] 20 st.

Fall of Leaves

Chart 8:

Row 87: K3, yo, k2tog k5, (yo k1 yo), k5 ssk, [pattern repeat], \*[pattern repeat]x2, yo, ssk k1 k2tog, yo, k2tog k5, (yo k1 yo), k5 ssk, (yo k1 yo), k2tog k5, (yo k1 yo), k5 ssk,\* repeat \* to \* 3x, [pattern repeat]x4, yo, k3. 357 st. K3, yo, ktog k6,(yo k1 yo),k6 ssk, [pattern repeat], \*[pattern repeat]x2, yo, s2tog k1 psso, yo, k2tog k6, (yo k1 yo), k6 ssk, (yo k1 yo), k2tog k6, (yo k1 yo), k6 ssk,\* repeat \* to \* 3x, [pattern repeat]x4, yo, k3. 365 st. Row 91: K3, yo, k2tog k15 ssk, [pattern repeat]x17, yo, k3. 365 st.

Pattern repeat for chart 9:

Row 93: [ssk k13 k2tog, (yo k1)x3, yo] 22 st. Row 95: [ssk k11 k2tog, yo, k2tog k1, (yo k1 yo), k1 ssk, yo] 22 st. Row 97: [ssk k9 k2tog, yo, k2tog k2, (yo k1 yo), k2 ssk, yo] 22 st. Row 99: [ssk k7 k2tog, (yo k1 yo), k9, (yo k1 yo)] 24 st. Row 101: [ssk k5 k2tog, yo, (k1 yo)x3, ssk k5 k2tog, (yo k1)x3, yo] 28 st. Row 103: [(ssk k3 k2tog, yo, k2tog k3 ssk, y0)x2] 24 st. Row 105: [(ssk k1 k2tog, yo k1 yo)x4] 24 st. Row 107: [(s2tog k1 psso, yo k3 yo)x4] 24 st.

Chart 9:

Row93: K2 ssk, yo, [pattern repeat]x17, ssk k13 k2tog, yo, k2tog k2. 397 st. Row95: K2 ssk, yo, [pattern repeat]x17, ssk k11 k2tog, yo, k2tog k2. 395 st. Row 97: K2 ssk, yo, [pattern repeat]x17, ssk k9 k2tog, yo, k2tog k2. 393 st. Row 99: K2 ssk, yo, [pattern repeat]x17, ssk k7 k2tog, yo, k2tog k2. 425 st. Row 101: K2 ssk, yo, [pattern repeat]x17, ssk k5 k2tog, yo, k2tog k2. 491 st. Row 103: K2 ssk, yo, [pattern repeat]x17, ssk k3 k2tog, yo, k2tog k2. 421 st. Row 105: K2 ssk, yo, [pattern repeat]x17, ssk k1 k2tog, yo, k2tog k2. 419 st. Row 107: K2 ssk, yo, [pattern repeat]x17, s2tog k1 psso, yo, k2tog k2. 417 st. Cast off in pattern using a US 8 needle. Legend knit nostitch knit 2together(k2tog) 1 slip, slip,knit slipped stitches together (ssk) yarnover(yo) IN slip 2 together, knit one, pass slipped stitch over (s2tog, k1, psso) knit 3 together (k3tog) \Vslip, slip, slip, knit slipped stitches together (sssk)

Chart 4 L (left slanting repeat)

Chart 4 S (symmetrical, above large leaf tips) Chart5End

Chart 5 S (symmetrical, above large leaf tips)

Chart6 repeat shaded areas 12x total, alternating L and R repeats

Chart6End

Chart7 repeat shaded areas (3,2,2,3)x per section, alternating L and R repeats, with S between sections

Chart 7 S (symmetrical, above large leaf tips)

Fall of Leaves

Chart8 repeat shaded area(3,2,2,3)xper section,with S between sections

Chart8End

Chart 8 Pattern repeat

Chart 8 S (symmetrical, above large leaf tips)