Some of my favorite memories from childhood are the ones of
summer vacations spent at the Baltic Sea. I remember the
serene shades of blues and greens mixed with cool grays, the
waves capped with white frothy bubbles lapping at the beaches
full of interesting pebbles, the fresh scent of the breeze… Although
I’ve been lucky enough to visit other sea and ocean shores,
there is something about the serenity of the north that still
resonates for me. For a long time I’ve been trying
to capture that feeling in a design so I could wrap the sea
around me and after many attempts I am finally pleased with
the result. Tethys is named after the great primordial
ocean that existed between the continents of Gondwana and Laurasia
during the Mesozoic era.
The hand dyed colors of this Fiber Optica Silken Blend are a perfect reflection
of the tranquil sea while its high silk content enhances the shawl’s
drape. First the textured edging is worked from end to end; the simple
cables create the look of waves and the seed stitch sections emulate the
pebbly sands of the sea shore. Stitches are then picked up along
the top of the edging and a set of short rows is worked to create the shawl’s
elongated curved shape. A few yarn overs are added in along the edge
to mimic the effervescent tips of the waves.
MATERIALS
Yarn Fiber
Optica “Silken Blend” [60% Merino Wool, 40% Silk;
120yd/95m per 60g skein]; color: Sea;
5 skeins Note: The original sample took exactly
4 skeins to complete; you may want
to have additional yardage on hand,
so we recommend 5 skeins.
Recommended needle size [always use a needle
size that gives you the gauge
listed below -- every knitter's
gauge is unique] 32-inch
or longer US #9/5.50 mm circular needle
14.5 sts/ 26 rows = 4 inches
in St st short row section, blocked
25 sts/23 rows = 4 inches in cable pattern stitch, blocked Correct gauge is not critical for this project, but your final measurements
and yardage requirements may vary if your gauge is different.
PATTERN NOTES [Knitty's list of standard abbreviations and techniques can be found here.]
This pattern uses a provisional
cast on: use
either the crochet cast on or the open
cast on as described here.
The short rows are worked simply, without wrapped stitches;
the short row gaps are closed using ssk and p2tog decreases
instead of the usual wraps.
The p2tog BO is used to create a firm edge to support the crescent
shape during blocking to allow the points to stretch fully.
C4/2B: Sl 2 sts to cable needle and hold to
back of work; k4; then k2 from cable needle.
C4/2F: Sl 2 sts
to cable needle and hold to front of
work; k4; then k2 from cable needle.
M1B: Make 1 below -
Knit first into the stitch directly below
the next one on the left needle, and
then knit into the st on the needle;
1 st inc.
Charts
The charts for this pattern are very large.
Each fits on a letter-sized page.
Click below and print each resulting page.
Body of shawl
With RS facing, and 4 sts on right needle,
pick up and knit every slipped stitch
along the top of the cable section. 4
existing stitches and 228 sts picked up
stitches; 232 sts total.
Remove provisional
CO and place the 5 live sts on the
left needle and knit them. 237
sts total.
Work short rows: Row 1 [WS]: P122, turn. Row 2 [RS]: K7, turn. Row 3 [WS]: P6, p2tog,
yo, p3, turn. Row 4 [RS]: K10, ssk,
yo, k3, turn. Row 5 [WS]: P14, p2tog,
yo, p3, turn. Row 6 [RS]: K18, ssk,
yo, k3, turn. Row 7 [WS]: P22, p2tog,
yo, p3, turn. Row 8 [RS]: K26, ssk,
yo, k3, turn. Row 9 [WS]: P to 1 st before
gap created by turn, p2tog, yo, p3,
turn. Row 10 [RS]: K to 1 st before
gap created by turn, ssk, yo, k3, turn
Repeat the last 2 rows until all sts
are worked, ending with a RS row. Final row [WS]: knit.
Bind off as follows (right
side facing): *P2tog, return resulting
st to needle, rep from * to end. When
one st remains, cut yarn and pull through
to secure.
FINISHING
Weave in all loose ends. Block piece, forming
the crescent shape as shown in the blocking
schematic. Start
by pinning the two ends apart; then pull
out and pin the center point, followed by the rest
of the points along the bottom edge (no
pins are required along the top edge).
ABOUT THE DESIGNER
Susanna IC currently lives in Germany with
her husband, two sons, eleven fish and countless balls of yarn.
Besides a background in fashion design, she has a Master’s
degree in art history and a Bachelor’s in studio arts, all
of which continue to inspire much of her knitting.
Her projects and designs can
be found on Ravelry, user name zuzusus,
and at ArtQualia.com.
