Study Hall, a free knitting pattern from Knitty.com. Free knitting pattern for a geometric colorwork shawl.

INTRODUCTION

Study Hall

beauty shot

by Sarah Schira

Tangy

The lure of new books, new pens, and new school clothes…is it fall yet? Whether you're still in the September-to-spring rhythm of school, or just remember the thrill of newness every autumn brought, the Study Hall Shawl is meant to evoke those tidy stacks of books and supplies. With geometric precision, it punches up your autumn wardrobe with that 'effortlessly cool' look we all want to keep us warm.

Simple slipped stitches make the geometric colour-play a breeze to do! Don't be intimidated. The basketweave stitch that finishes the shawl echoes the play of squares in the checkered section with a satisfying finale.

spacer model: Faythe Miller

spacer photos: Sarah Schira

SIZE

One

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Length at Center Back: 27 inches/68.5cm
Width: 66 inches/167.5cm

MATERIALS

Yarn
One Twisted Tree Prime [75% Merino, 25% Nylon; 460 yd/421m per 100g skein];
[C1] Jane Eyre; 1 skein
[C2] Take the Black; 1 skein

Recommended needle size
[always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below - every knitter's gauge is unique]
US #6/4mm circular needles, 24 inch/60cm or longer
US #7/4.5mm circular needles, 24 inch/60cm or longer

Notions
yarn needle
2 stitch markers

GAUGE

24 sts/32 rows = 4 inches/10 cm in stockinette using smaller needles
20 sts/36 rows = 4 inches/10 cm in garter stitch using smaller needles

PATTERN NOTES

[Knitty's list of standard abbreviations and techniques can be found here.]

Important notes

Keep the floats loose behind the slipped stitches in the Sanquar Check pattern or these sections will pucker.
The pattern for the 3 sts in the central spine is different for the Sanquar Check sections than the other sections.
The charts show two colours per row. This is to better illustrate what your knitting will look like on your needles. You will not be using both colours while working a row. You will only be slipping sts to pull the colour of the row below into the current row.
If you find it helpful, place markers to separate off the three edge stitches. Just make sure that the increases are worked inside the markers.

CHARTS

charts

DIRECTIONS

Garter Tab
Using C1 and smaller needles, cast on 3 sts.
Knit 10 rows.
Next row [WS]: Knit across 3 sts, turn work 90 degrees and pick up and knit 5 sts, turn work 90 degrees and pick up and knit 3 sts. 11 sts.
Note: It is easier if you use the left needle tip needle to pick up the sts from the tab and then knit them off.

Garter Section 1
Row 1 [RS]: K3, M1L, k1, M1R, pm, k3, pm, M1L, k1, M1R, k3. 15 sts.
Row 2 [WS]: K to m, sm, p1 tbl, k1, p1 tbl, k to end.
Row 3: K3, M1L, k to m, M1R, sm, k1 tbl, k1, k1 tbl, sm, M1L, k to last 3 sts, M1R, k3. 4 sts increased.

Repeat Rows 2-3 29 more times, then repeat Row 2 one more time. 135 sts.

Stripe Section
Row 1 [RS]: Using C2, k3, sm, M1L, k to m, M1R, sm, k1 tbl, k1, k1 tbl, sm, M1L, k to last 3 sts, M1R, k3. 4 sts increased.
Row 2: Using C2, k to m, p1 tbl, k1, p1 tbl, k to end.
Row 3: Using C1, k3, M1L, k to m, M1R, sm, k1 tbl, k1, k1 tbl, sm, M1L, k to last 3 sts, M1R, k3. 4 sts increased.
Row 4: Using C1, k to m, p1 tbl, k1, p1 tbl, k to end.
Repeat Rows 1-4 eight more times.
Repeat Rows 3-4 five more times.
Repeat Rows 1-2 one more time. 231 sts.

At this point there will be 9 stripes of C2, followed by 6 ridges of C1 and one ridge of C2.

Sanquar Check Section 1
Switch to larger needle.
Row 1 [RS]: K3, work Sanquar Chart to next marker, sl1 wyib, k1, sl1 wyib, work Sanquar Chart to last 3 sts, k3. 4 sts increased.
Row 2: K3, work chart as set to marker, sl1 ywif, k1, sl1 wyif, work chart as set to last 3 sts, k3.
Row 3: K3, work chart as set to marker, k3, work chart as set to last 3 sts, k3.
Row 4: K3, work chart as set to marker, k3, work chart as set to last 3 sts, k3.

Work as set, ensuring you keep the 4-row pattern on the center spine, until chart has been completed twice. 263 sts.

Garter Section 2
Change to C1 and smaller needle.
Row 1 [RS]: K3, M1L, k to m, M1R, sm, k1 tbl, k1, k1 tbl, sm, M1L, k to last 3 sts, M1R, k3. 4 sts increased.
Row 2: K to m, p1 tbl, k1, p1 tbl, k to end.
Repeat Rows 1-2 two more times with C1. Change to C2 and repeat Rows 1-2 once more. 279 sts.

Sanquar Check Section 2
Switch to larger needle.
Row 1 [RS]: K3, work Sanquar Chart to next marker, sl1 wyib, k1, sl1 wyib, work Sanquar Chart to last 3 sts, k3. 4 sts increased.
Row 2: K3, work chart as set to marker, sl1 ywif, k1, sl1 wyif, work chart as set to last 3 sts, k3.
Row 3: K3, work chart as set to marker, k3, work chart as set to last 3 sts, k3.
Row 4: K3, work chart as set to marker, k3, work chart as set to last 3 sts, k3.

Work as set, ensuring you keep the 4-row pattern on the center spine until chart has been completed six times. 375 sts.

Garter Section 3
Switch to smaller needle.
Row 1 [RS]:Using C1, k3, M1L, k to m, M1R, sm, k1 tbl, k1, k1 tbl, sm, M1L, k to last 3 sts, M1R, k3. 4 sts increased.
Row 2: Using C1, k to m, p1 tbl, k1, p1 tbl, k to end.
Repeat Rows 1-2 two more times. 387 sts

Basketweave Section
Row 1 [RS]: K3, work Basketweave chart to marker, sm, k1 tbl, k1, k1 tbl, sm, work Basketweave chart to last 3 sts, k3. 4 sts increased.
Row 2: K3, work chart as set to marker, p1 tbl, k1, p1 tbl, work chart as set to last 3 sts, k3.

Work as set until chart is complete. 423 sts.
Bind off knitwise.

FINISHING

Cut yarn, leaving a 6 inch/15cm tail. Weave in ends. Trim ends.

ABOUT THE DESIGNER

designername Sarah loves to make (and wear) casually sophisticated accessories for staying stylishly warm on the Canadian prairies. She is the coldest person she knows, but her whole family is also knitworthy in a cold landscape, so she faces an eternal struggle between gift knitting and keeping herself toasty warm.

See more of her designs and find her podcast on her website.