INTRODUCTION

Opposites Attract

by Uma Padu

The idea of mixing patterns, textures and size is a bold concept in design.

With that idea in mind, I began to think about how to create a design for Knitty with differences that complement each other, and ultimately make it a unique, unifying piece.

Opposites Attract is worked as one piece with increases and decreases strategically placed to uniquely shape the shawl. Using a variegated yarn and a matching solid colored yarn, the shawl is worked using the Intarsia method. The right side of the shawl is worked using 2 strands of yarn while the left side is worked using one strand.  This makes the shawl thick on the right side, thin on the left side, wide on the right side, narrow on the left side, heavy on the right side, light on the left side. Bands of garter on one side oppose stockinette bands. Big and small bobbles worked as stockinette and garter bobbles respectively alternate diagonally along the middle and are worked over a center double decrease.


Lots of variety in look and feel -- but it is in those differences that the pattern really works well to provide the right balance.


Fingering weight yarns that match or contrast each other would be ideal for this project.

model: Uma Padu

photos: Aarthi Padmanabhan, Anjana Padmanabhan

SIZE

One

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Width: 75 inches/190 cm
Depth: 12 inches/30cm

MATERIALS

Yarn
Indigodragonfly Caribou Baa [100% Superwash Merino; 398m/435 yds per 100g skein]
[MC]Meme Girls; 2 skeins

 [CC] Bubble Bat; 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 needle – 24 inch/60cm or longer
US #8/5.5mm – 24 inch/60cm or longer

Notions
yarn needle

GAUGE

21.5 sts/32 rows = 4 inches/10cm in stockinette st

PATTERN NOTES

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

The scarf is a 16-row pattern worked using the Intarsia Method. On WS rows, the border between the colors – the color change point – shifts over so that the bobbles travel diagonally along the middle. On RS rows, the color change point stays the same.

Big Bobble:
Into the next two stitches (as if doing a k2tog), work (k1, k1tbl) twice, k1, turn. 5 sts made from 2.
Row 2 [WS]: P5, turn.

Row 3 [RS]: K5, turn.

Row 4 [WS]: P5, turn.
Row 5: [RS] Sl 1, k2tog twice. Pass the 2nd stitch off and over the third stitch. Psso.
Note: There is an additional psso worked after completing the big bobble.

Small Bobble:
Row 1 [RS]: Into the next two stitches (as if doing a k2tog), work (k1, yo) twice, k1, turn. 5 sts made from 2.
Row 2 [WS:] K5, turn.
Row 3 [RS]: K2tog, return stitch to left needle, slip remaining three sts of bobble over the k2tog stitch, then knit the stitch again.
Note: There is an additional psso worked after completing the small bobble.

DIRECTIONS

Using larger needles and two strands of MC, use the knitted method to CO 350 sts, placing a marker in the middle, to divide the shawl into two 175-stitch sections. The division point will move as you work, the marker is only there to set you up for the first pattern row.
Change to smaller needles and knit 6 rows.

Row 1 [RS]: Cont with 2 strands of MC, sl1, k1, kfb, k to last 3 sts of first half, (sl1, make big bobble in next 2 sts, psso); remove marker, join one strand of CC, and k to last 4 sts, k2tog, k2. 2 sts decreased.

Row 2 [WS]: Sl1, k1, ssk, k all CC sts and the bobble st and next st of MC; with the 2 strands of MC, p to the last 3 sts, kfb, k2.

Row 3: With MC, sl1, k1, kfb, k all sts of right half; with CC, k to last 4 sts, k2tog, k2

Row 4: With CC, sl1, k1, ssk, k all the rem CC sts and one st of MC; with MC, p to the last 3 sts, kfb, k2.

Row 5: With MC, sl1, k1, kfb, k to last 3 sts of first half, sl1, make small bobble in next 2 sts, psso; with CC, k to last 4 sts, k2tog, k2. 2 sts decreased.

Row 6: With CC, sl1, k1, ssk, k all rem CC sts and cont to k the bobble st and next st; with MC, p to last 3 sts, kfb, k2.

Row 7: With MC, sl1, k1, kfb, k all sts on right half; with CC, k to last 4 sts, k2tog, k2.

Row 8: With CC, sl1, k1, ssk, k all the rem CC sts and then one st of MC; with MC, p to last 3 sts, kfb, k2.

Row 9: With MC, sl1, k1, kfb, k to last 3 sts of right half, sl1, make big bobble in next 2 sts, psso; with CC, k to last 4 sts, k2tog, k2. 2 sts decreased.

Row 10: With CC, sl1, k1, ssk, p all rem CC sts and cont to p the bobble st and next st of MC; with MC, k to last 3 sts, kfb, k2.

Row 11: With MC, sl1, k1, kfb, k all sts on right half; with CC, k to last 4 sts, k2tog, k2.

Row 12: With CC, sl1, k1, ssk, p all the rem CC sts and then one st of MC; with MC, k to last 3 sts, kfb, k2.

Row 13: With MC, sl1, k1, kfb, k to last 3 sts of first half, sl1, make small bobble in next 2 sts, psso; with CC, k to last 4 sts, k2tog, k2. 2 sts decreased.

Row 14: With CC, sl1, k1, ssk, p all rem CC sts and cont to p the bobble st and next st of MC; with MC, k to last 3 sts, kfb, k2.

Row 15: With MC, sl1, k1, kfb, k all sts of right half; with CC, k to last 4 sts, k2tog, k2.

Row 16: With CC, sl1, k1, ssk, p all the rem CC sts and then one st of MC; with MC, k to last 3 sts, kfb, k2.

Repeat the 16 rows 2 more times, ending with a WS row. 326 sts

Switch yarns. Cut both of them at this point, and join 2 strands of CC to work the right half of the shawl, and 1 strand of MC to work the left half.
Work the above 16 rows two times. 310 sts

Switch yarns. Cut both of them at this point, and join 2 strands of MC to work the right half of the shawl, and 1 strand of CC to work the left half.
Work the above 16 rows two times. 294 sts

Top Edge:
Cut CC and complete shawl with 2 strands of MC.
Row 1 [RS]: Sl1, k1, kfb, k to end. 1 st increased.
Row 2 [WS]: Knit to last 3 sts, kfb, k2. 1 st increased.
Repeat the last two rows 2 more times. 300 sts.

FINISHING

Change to larger needles and BO loosely with both strands of MC. Weave in ends. Block.

ABOUT THE DESIGNER

Knitting is a passion with Uma and has been since childhood. She finds indulging in creative pursuits very therapeutic and relaxing. For her, knitting is more than a pasttime and a hobby that engages her from dawn to dusk.

You will find more of her work here.

Pattern & images © 2018 Uma Padu.