When I first saw the stitch pattern featured in the body of this shawl, I was amazed that simple blocks of reverse stockinette could create the optical illusion of circles in the fabric. I knew instantly that I wanted to use this op-art stitch pattern in combination with a densely cabled pattern – I was curious to see how the patterns would play off each other.

The result is this elongated crescent shawl. The dense cables along the bottom edge provide weight to ensure the piece stays in place while the stockinette sections lend drape to the piece. The gently scalloped cables along the upper edge provide a beautiful frame to the face.

Work the shawl in a squishy worsted weight yarn in a luminescent shade and you’ll be sure to chase away any winter blues. The stitch patterns, used in a different manner for the matching infinity cowl, have a very different effect (Twisted Circles Cowl, available in my Ravelry store).

(Please scroll to the bottom of the page for Errata)

Note: The crescent shawl is knit from end to end. Periodic short rows are worked in the Chart C sections to compensate for the row gauge difference between the two stitch patterns.

Price: Free

Click here to: get the pattern from Knitty.

Skill Level: Advanced

Yarn: 1,064 (1,288) yards/494 meters of a merino and cashmere blend worsted weight yarn that knits up to 4.5 sts/inch.

Shown In:
Miss Babs ‘Yowza – Whatta Skein’, (560 yards/512 meters; 100% superwash merino; 7.97 oz/226 grams per skein). 2.3 skeins in Clematis.

Needle: US #7/4.5 mm circular needle, 24”/61 cm or size to obtain gauge.

Finished Size (blocked): 73 (86)”/185.42 (218.44) cm long by 14 (14.5)”/35.56 (36.83) cm depth at centre back and 7″/17.78 cm at shawl ends.

Other Tools:

• Stitch markers (1)
• Cable needle
• Glow line tape (to mark current row on charts/instructions)
• Fine cotton thread in contrasting colour for life-lines
• Tapestry needle
• Blocking wires and Tpins

Skills Required:

• Working Cables
• Short Rows
• Following Multiple Charts at Once
• Blocking

ERRATA (01/24/15): The short forms for the following instructions should read as follows (changes are in bold)
C10L: Slip next 5 sts on to cable needle and hold in front, k5 from left needle, k5 from cable needle
C10R: Slip next 5 sts on to cable needle and hold in back, k5 from left needle, k5 from cable needle
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Credits:
Photographer: Shawn Miller, Distractions in Focus
Model: Jen
Tech Editor: Kate Atherley