This is my first attempt at creating fractal-spun yarn. A fractal-spun yarn is created by dividing the top lengthwise into two pieces, and spinning one half. The remaining half of the wool is then divided into as many pieces as desired -- still lengthwise -- and spun one after the other. And then these two strands are plied together. The objective is to break up the color changes of the top, and create harmonious, interesting and sometimes unexpected color changes.
The top I used was hand-dyed by me especially for my sister who loves orange. Once finished, there was no doubt that it would become a sun-themed, semi-circular shawl.
The shawl is knitted top-down. A simple flame-like pattern becomes gradually larger, making it similar to the rising sun.
Recommended needle size [always use a needle size that
gives you the gauge listed below --
every knitter's gauge is unique] US #7/4.5mm 40 inch circular needle
Tools stitch markers yarn
needle
GAUGE
20 sts/28 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch (washed, blocked)
18 sts/29 rows = 4 inches in pattern stitch after blocking
PATTERN NOTES [Knitty's list of standard abbreviations and techniques can be found here.]
M1R: Insert left needle, from back to front, under the horizontal strand which lies between the stitch just knit, and the following stitch; then knit into the front of this loop. 1 stitch increased.
M1L: Insert left needle, from front to back1, under the horizontal strand which lies between the stitch just knit, and the following stitch; then knit into the back of this loop. 1 stitch increased.
Elastic Bind Off: K1, *k1, slip 2 sts back to the left needle, k2tog-tbl; rep from * until 1 st rems on right needle. Cut yarn and pull through final st to secure.
Charts The charts for this pattern are very large and fit on a letter-sized
page.
Click here and print the resulting
page.
DIRECTIONS
Setup
CO 3 sts, knit 13 rows. Turn your work 90 degrees, pick up and knit 6 stitches along the long edge, 1 stitch for each garter ridge; turn your work 90 degrees again and pick up and knit 3 sts from the CO edge. 12 sts.
Row 1 [RS]: K3, p6, k3.
Row 2 [WS]: K3, kfb 6 times, k3. 18 sts.
Rows 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15 [WS]: K3, purl to the last 3 sts, k3.
Row 4 [RS]: K3, kfb to the last 3 sts, k3. 30 sts.
Row 6 [RS]: Knit.
Row 8 [RS]: K3, [k1, kfb] to the last 3 sts, k3. 42 sts.
Row 10 [RS]: Knit.
Row 12 [RS]: K4, [kfb, k2] to the last 5 sts, kfb, k4 .54 sts.
Row 14 [RS]: K3, kfb, k to the last 4 sts, kfb, k3. 56 sts.
Pattern Section
Work Chart 1. 104 sts
Work Chart 2. 232 sts
Work Chart 3. 328 sts
FINISHING
Using the Elastic Bind Off method, BO.
Block the shawl, weave in ends.
ABOUT THE DESIGNER
Zsuzsa Kiss lives in Winterhur, Switzerland, with 3 daughters and her husband. She likes challenges, especially in knitting. She loves the learning process and trying out new things, in designing shapes, colours and fibers.
