Point Me To An LYS by Ann Szwarc

Point Me To An LYS

Knitting
April 2020
Fingering (14 wpi) ?
26 stitches and 38 rows = 4 inches
in Stockinette Stitch
US 4 - 3.5 mm
840 - 1580 yards (768 - 1445 m)
Small, Large
English
This pattern is available for $6.00 USD buy it now

Well. This pattern was going to be a pattern for 2020 Local Yarn Store Day, but the COVID-2019 pandemic threw a wrench into those plans. I don’t want to wait until September to release, so this is now a “Support Your Local Yarn Store” pattern.

Phone, email, text, or shop online with your Local Yarn Store if you cannot get there to shop in person. Find 2 fingering weight yarns that speak to you and buy them. Then cast on this pattern.

If you must, shop your stash for yarns. But then, please, when you can get out and your LYS is open again, go in and buy some yarn to replace what you use. Your LYS owner will appreciate it.

Point Me To An LYS

Did you ever notice that triangular shawls are really just big arrow heads? And I posit that, like a compass pointing North, they are there to point to and direct us to independent local yarn stores, the heart and soul of the yarncrafting community.

Head to your Local Yarn Store and get 2 colors of sock yarn, preferably something local or from a small dyer. Trust me, they’ll have something that will work.

Then cast on and have fun!

This pattern is for a triangular shawl, available in two sizes, with blocks of color and texture for interest.

YARN AND YARDAGE:
Fingering weight wool/wool blend in 2 colors. 420 yards (860 m/100 g) of each color required for the small; 790 yards (710 m/200 g) of each color required for the large.
If working a 4-color version of the large, you will need 400 yards (360 m/100g) of each color.

This pattern was originally written for Knitterly Things Vesper Sock Yarn, which is a lovely hand-dyed striping sock yarn. Because who can resist hand-dyed stripes? And because striping yarn needs more shawl play. I paired it with a coordinating semi-solid, also from Knitterly Things, that just happened to feature a tiny bit of sparkle.

NEEDLE:
US 4 (3.5mm), 29” (80 cm) or longer circular, or size required to obtain gauge

GAUGE:
26 sts and 38 rows in stockinette stitch after washing and blocking. Gauge is not critical for this project, but it will affect the finished size and the yardage needed to complete the shawl.

One test knitter was so excited to start, she didn’t wait for an official gauge (totally my fault!), and just started working on the suggested needle. Her gauge was off enough that she did need to purchase additional yarn to finish. Save yourself time and tears - check your gauge!

NOTIONS:
stitch marker, tapestry needle, scissors; blocking wires will be useful for blocking

STITCHES USED:
cast on, bind off, knit, purl, yarn over, k2tog, ssk, s2kp

SKILLS USED:
basic intarsia, eyelets

SIZE:
Small: wingspan: 90” (228 cm); depth 29” (74 cm)
Large: wingspan: 115” (292 cm); depth 36” (91 cm)

Stitch count tables are provided for easy tracking of rows and verification of stitches.

When working the large size, a 4-color variant may be worked by cycling through four colors instead of alternating two.

Prototypes and samples:

Large sample 1 (red and greens)

  • C1: Knitterly Things Vesper Glitterful Sock Yarn in Holly Berry Red
  • C2: Knitterly Things Vesper Sock Yarn in Holiday Magic
  • shawl used 320 g of yarn total

Small sample 1 (russet and speckle)

  • C1: Leading Men Fiber Arts Show Stopper in Gothic Queen (Director’s Interpretation)
  • C2: Leading Men Fiber Arts Show Stopper in Longstocking

Small sample 2 (pinks)

  • C1: Plymouth Yarn Happy Feet 100 Splash in Lipstick
  • C2: Stone Barn Fibers Transitions in Passionique

Large sample 2 (purples and blues) - NO PHOTO, STILL ON NEEDLES

  • C1: Black Cat Fibers Nomad Sock in To Venus and Back
  • C2: Black Cat Fibers Nomad Sock in Russet
  • C3: Black Cat Fibers Nomad Sock in Night Swimming
  • C4: Black Cat Fibers Nomad Sock in Toxic