The White Queen's Shawl
"“I wonder if the snow loves the trees and fields, that it kisses them so gently? And then covers them up snug, you know, with a white quilt; and perhaps it says, “Go to sleep, darlings, till the summer comes again.” Alice, Through the Looking Glass, Chapter 1 Looking-Glass House, Lewis Carroll. In the winter, when the snow drifts against the fences, the nights are dark and the days are short, I wish I could, like Alice, step through the looking glass and find a warm and sunny world. But, as I can’t, it is the perfect time to settle down with a good book, a warm drink and a shawl to snuggle in. This shawl starts from a 3 stitch garter tab and grows with soft cables and eyelets to a tiny lace border. Knit in a silk cashmere blend, if knitting were food, this would be the comfort food of the knitter’s diet."
Knitting Needle Size5 or 3.75 mm
Yarn Weight(2) Fine (23-26 stitches to 4 inches)
Materials List
- Smooth waste yarn for provisional cast on.
- Cable Needle.
- Large Eyed Tapestry Needle for weaving in ends.
- T-pins for blocking.
- Blocking Wires for blocking.
- 800 yards of heavy lace weight or light fingering weight yarn.
Instructions
Garter Tab: Using a provisional cast on CO 3 sts, work 7 rows garter st (k every row), turn work 90 degrees, pick up and p 3 sts, turn work 90 degrees, pick up and k 3 sts from provisional CO. Main Body: Row 1 (RS): K3, yo, k1, yo, place marker, ktbl, place marker, yo, k1, yo, k3. You have now worked row 1 of Chart A. Row 2 (WS): K3, p to marker, sm, ptbl, sm, p to last 3 sts, k3. Row 3 (RS): K3, yo, work chart to marker, sm, ktbl, work chart to last 3 sts, yo, k3. Row 4 (WS): K3, p to marker, sm, ptbl, sm, p to last 3 sts, k3. Continuing in the manner of rows 3 and 4, work following Chart 1 rows 5-52 one time then rows 29 to 52 five more times for a total of 6 repeats. (349 sts) Then work Chart 2 rows 173-190 one time. (389 sts) Bind Off: Bind off as K2,*return 2 sts to left-hand needle, k2togtbl, k1 repeat from* until all sts have been worked. Finishing Cut yarn leaving a 9 inch [20cm] tail and pull snuggly through final st. Weave in all ends. Soak finished piece in cool water for 30 minutes, pin flat, pulling out the gentle points on the lower edge and using blocking wires if desired across the top and allow to completely dry before removing pins.