Shawl Geometry: Square with a Diagonal Slit
This is the thirteenth post in a series about different shawl shapes and how to knit them. All the posts in the series can be found right here.
Square with a Diagonal Slit from the center out
The Square with a Diagonal Slit is a variation on the Square Knit in the Round. Instead of being knit in the round, the Square with a Diagonal Slit is worked flat, with the “slit” splitting one pair of increases (or decreases).
This shawl shape sits sort of like a cape. It rests easily on your shoulders and doesn’t slide around. Plus, no need to fold your square in half, hiding part of your pattern.
Knitting Instructions
CO 11sts.
{4 border sts + 4 sections + 3 spines}
R1: k2, (pm, yo, k1, yo, pm, k1) 4 times, k1.
R2: purl across.
R3: k2, (sm, yo, k to marker, yo, sm, k1) 4 times, k1.
R4: purl across.
Rep R3&4 to desired dimensions.
Bind off loosely.
Square with a Diagonal Slit from the hem in
Like many other shawl shapes, the Square with a Diagonal Slit can also be worked from the center out, and from the hem in.
Calculating your cast on
Determine your final gauge, and the desired width of your square.
[Desired width] / 2 = [width from CO to BO]
[Width from CO to BO] x [row gauge] = [# of rows]
[# of rows] / 2 = [# of dec rows]
[# of dec rows] x [8sts decreased per dec row] = [# of sts decreased]
Make sure this number is divisible by 8.
[# of sts decreased] = [# of sts to CO]
[# of sts to CO] / [4 shawl sections] = [# of sts in one section aka Y]
Knitting Instructions
CO [# of sts to CO].
R1: (pm, ssk, kY minus four, k2tog) 4 times.
R2: purl across.
R3: (sm, ssk, k to 2sts before marker, k2tog) 4 times.
R4: purl across.
Rep R3&4 to 8sts.
Bind off loosely.
The previous post: Rectangles
The next post: Circles with a Slit
Shawl Geometry: Rectangles
This is the twelfth post in a series about different shawl shapes and how to knit them. All the posts in the series can be found right here.
Rectangles
Like the Edge to Edge Square, the Basic Rectangle is knit flat and worked straight from cast on edge to bind off edge, with no increasing or decreasing necessary.
Basic Rectangle Calculations
Calculating your cast on and row count
Determine your final gauge, and desired dimensions.
[Stitch gauge] x [desired width] = [# of sts to CO]
[Row gauge] x [desired length] = [# of rows]
Note: you can work your knitting either by casting on at a long end or a short end. Use the measurement of your desired cast on edge as your “width” and your second measurement as your “length.”
Knitting Instructions
CO [# of sts to CO].
R1: knit across.
R2: purl across.
Rep R1&2 until [# of rows] have been worked.
Bind off loosely.
Both of these rectangles can also be worked using a provisional cast on, so that the stitch pattern flows out from the center of the shawl.
To do this, cast on using a provisional cast on, work until your shawl is half your desired length (or width), and bind off.
Then pick up your provisional cast on, and again work until your shawl is half your desired length (or width), and bind off.
This creates a shawl where the pattern emanates from the center of the rectangle out towards both bind off edges.
To create a shawl in which the pattern flows in towards the center of your rectangle.
Cast on and work until your shawl is half your desired length (or width) then place your live stitches on waste yarn. Cast on a second time and work until your shawl is half your desired length (or width). Then graft the two sets of live stitches together.
The previous post: Bias Squares
The next post: Square with a Diagonal Slit
Big pile of swatches, take 2.
I’m always working on some project or another, which means I often have FOs and new designs to share. You can see all my FOs … here … and all my designs … here.
The swatches for Shawl Geometry II are done, blocked and photographed. Whoo!
I focused Shawl Geometry on common shawls shapes, the shapes we’ve all seen before, and are somewhat familiar with. Shawl Geometry II focuses on less common shapes, some bias rectangles and triangles, a whole series of wedge crescents (my favorite shape), plus a bunch of other squares, rectangles, triangles, and circle variations.
You can learn more about Shawl Geometry here, and here.
If you’d like more FO Friday posts, from other bloggers, visit Tami’s blog.
