Mokume by Jennifer Weissman

Mokume

Knitting
September 2020
Fingering (14 wpi) ?
21 stitches and 32 rows = 4 inches
in garter stitch
US 4 - 3.5 mm
US 5 - 3.75 mm
905 yards (828 m)
64"/163 cm wide; 28"/71 cm deep
English
This pattern is available for $7.00 USD buy it now

If you add 4 of my designs to your cart, the least expensive one will be free ~ enjoy!

This design was inspired by Mokume Gane, an ancient Japanese metalworking technique. Artisans using this process fuse layers of different precious metals together, then twist and forge them into organic patterns resembling wood grain.

In this triangular shawl, you can substitute the metals with two beautiful contrasting yarns to create a soft woolen sister to Mokume Gane. The patterned bands are simply stripes of the two colors, with slipped stitches forming the eye-catching designs. As you knit, elegant (and easy) i-cords are worked along both edges for tidy color changes.

Although my sample uses two colors, several test knitters cleverly substituted gradient sets for the contrast color. The results were stunning! So I’ve added instructions for that variation. If you’d like to give it a try, Marianated Yarns offers a Marianette Set that has the perfect yardage.

Please share your project with me in my ravelry group or on Instagram with tags #mokumeshawl and @shadystroll ~ I would love to see it!

Instructions are fully written, with three optional charts.

Measurements

Wingspan: 64”/163 cm
Depth: 28”/71 cm

Gauge

In garter stitch on US size 4/3.5 mm needle, 21 sts and 32 rows = 4”/10 cm after blocking.
Gauge is not critical, but yardage requirements and finished measurements will vary if your gauge differs.

Yarn

  • Approximately 710 yds/649 m fingering-weight yarn in Main Color (shown in Marianated Yarns Scrumptious HT in the Rock Lobster colorway)
  • Approximately 195 yds/178 m fingering-weight yarn in Contrast Color (shown in Madelinetosh Tosh Sock in the Purple Basil colorway) OR approximately 35 yds/32 m each of Contrast Colors 1-6, such as a Marianated Yarns Six Pack Marianette Gradient Set

Note: The slip-stitch patterns are clearest when there is plenty of contrast between the Main Color and Contrast Color(s).

Tools

  • US size 4/3.5 mm circular needle (or size necessary to achieve gauge), preferably at least 24”/60 cm in length
  • US size 5/3.75 mm circular needle (or one size larger than that necessary to achieve gauge), preferably at least 24”/60 cm in length
  • 7 Stitch markers (including 1 in a contrast color)
  • Tapestry needle for weaving in ends
  • Pins for blocking

Would you like to join a KAL or get the inside scoop on new designs? Looking for help with a pattern? You’ll find the ShadyStroll Knits ravelry group here.