Shawl Geometry: Wedge Circles
This is the second post in a series about different shawl shapes and how to knit them. All the posts in the series can be found right here.
The Wedge Circle from the center out
The Wedge Circle falls into the category of shaping a circular that I call the “knit an octagon and block it into a circle.”
In this circular shawl, we use eight right triangular wedges that, when blocked, create the “swirl” effect that this shawl is sometimes named after. The eight right triangle wedges are created by working eight single, evenly spaced increases (or decreases) every other round.
Knitting Instructions
CO 8sts. Join in the round, being careful not to twist.
{8 sections}
R1: (pm, yo, k1) 8 times.
R2: knit around.
R3: (sm, yo, k to marker) 8 times.
R4: knit around.
Rep R3&4 to desired dimensions.
Bind off loosely.
This shaping actually creates an octagon, which you then block into a circle.
Note: To make the swirl curl in the opposite direction simply (yo, k to marker) every other round, rather then (k to marker, yo).
The Wedge Circle from the hem in
To work a circular shawl made up of wedges from the hem to center, use the same concept and similar formulas as working a square shawl from the hem to center.
Calculating your cast on
Determine your final gauge and the desired radius of your shawl.
The radius is half the width of your final shawl, or the length from the center to the edge of your shawl.
[Round gauge] x [desired radius] = [# of rnds]
[# of rnds] / 2 = [# of dec rnds]
[# of dec rnds] x [8sts decreased per dec rnd] = [# of sts decreased]
Make sure this number is divisible by 8.
[# of sts decreased] = [# of sts to CO]
Calculating your stitch marker placement
[# of sts decreased] / [8 shawl sections] = [# of sts in one section aka Y]
Knitting Instructions
CO [# of sts to CO].
R1: (pm, ssk, kY minus two) 8 times.
R2: knit around.
R3: (sm, ssk, k to marker) 8 times.
R4: knit around.
Rep R3&4 to 8sts.
Bind off loosely.
Break, yarn, leaving a tail, and thread the tail through all live sts, pull tight and weave in your end. (The same way you would finish off the crown of a hat.)
So if you cast on 48 sts. Join in the round, being careful not to twist.
R1: (pm, k6) 8 times.
R2: (sm, k4, k2tog) 8 times.
R3: knit around.
R4: (sm, k to 2 sts before marker, k2tog) 8 times.
Repeat R3&4.
Bind off loosely.
The previous post: Square Knit in the Round
The next post: Pi Circles
Shawl Geometry: Square Knit in the Round
This is the first post in a series about different shawl shapes and how to knit them. All the posts in the series can be found right here.
The easiest way to think about shawl shapes is to understand the basic geometric shapes: square, triangle, and circle, and then manipulate and decorate them to get all these other shawl shapes and styles.
But there are also multiple ways to create each basic shape: backwards, forwards, and sideways.
The Square Knit in the Round, is knit in the round. This shawl is shaped with four pairs (eight total) of evenly spaced increases (or decreases), worked every other round. The pairs of increases (or decreases) radiate outwards (or inwards) from the center of your shawl to the hem pushing (or pulling) the fabric to form the four corners of your square.
The Square Knit in the Round from the center out
The most traditional way to create a square is in the round from the center out. To do this you increase 8 stitches in pairs every other round.
Center Out Knitting Instructions
CO 8sts. Join in the round, being careful not to twist.
{4 sections + 4 spines}
R1: (pm, yo, k1, yo, pm, k1) 4 times.
R2: knit around.
R3: (sm, yo, k to marker, yo, sm, k1) 4 times.
R4: knit around.
Rep R3&4 to desired dimensions.
Bind off loosely.
The Square Knit in the Round from the hem out
You can also knit from the hem to the center by decreasing 8 stitches in pairs every other round.
Knitting any shawl from the hem inwards takes a little more planning than working one from the center out. With a shawl knit from the center out you can keep increasing until you reach your desired size, or until you run out of yarn. But knitting a shawl from the hem into the center requires that you know your size information before you begin, so you can cast on an accurate number of stitches.
Calculating your cast on
Determine your final gauge and desired width.
[Desired width] / 2 = [width from CO to BO]
[Width from CO to BO] x [rnd gauge] = [# of rnds]
[# of rnds] / 2 = [# of dec rnds]
[# of dec rnds] x [8sts decreased per dec rnd] = [# of sts decreased]
Make sure this number is divisible by 8.
[# of sts decreased] = [# of sts to CO]
Calculating your stitch marker placement
[# of sts to CO] / [4 shawl sections] = [# of sts in one section aka Y]
Center Out Knitting Instructions
CO [# of sts to CO]. Join in the round, being careful not to twist.
R1: (pm, ssk, kY minus four, k2tog) 4 times.
R2: knit around.
R3: (sm, ssk, k to 2sts before marker, k2tog) 4 times.
R4: knit around.
Rep R3&4 to 8sts.
Bind off loosely.
Break yarn leaving a tail, and thread tail through live stitches, pull tight and weave in your end. (The same way you would finish off the crown of a hat.)
So if you CO 48 sts. Join in the round, being careful not to twist. (This step is a total PITA.)
R1: (pm, k12) 4 times.
R2: (sm, k2tog, k8, ssk) 4 times.
R3: knit around.
R4: (sm, k2tog, k to 2sts before marker, ssk) 4 times.
Repeat R3&4 to 8sts.
Bind off loosely.
The previous post: Shawl Geometry Introduction
The next post: Wedge Circle
More Swatches
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.
Seriously, it’s getting a little ridiculous around here, and the swatching won’t stop anytime soon (but at least I enjoy swatching.)
I think they kind of look like children’s toys. Maybe?
If you’d like more FO Friday posts, visit Tami’s blog.
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