Sabrina_Pink by Xian Chun Song

SABRINA

My lovely roommate Nico modeling Sabrina. Our dogs Boris and Harold never miss a photo opp!

MATERIALS Yarn : approximately 500-550 yards of a fingering weight yarn in a solid or tonal color. I used Wollmeise 100% Merino Superwash. Actual yardage will be determined by your gauge and needle size, as well as which version you are knitting – (the lacier Version 2 will likely require more yarn). I used Wollmeise 100% Merino Superwash. Needle and Gauge : US size 6 or 7 – gauge is not critical here, but you can size up to a size 7 if you are a tight knitter, or size 5 if you are a loose knitter. For this design, I think it makes sense to keep things on the looser side, as this will produce a lacier, more open fabric. I used a size 5 because I am quite a loose knitter. Use your best judgment  You will also need : Stitch markers (optional), large darning needle or crochet hook (to bury loose threads), wool wash, blocking squares, blocking wires and pins.

(Please note : the design was slightly modified from this original teal version, so do not rely on this photo for comparison whilst knitting!).

NOTES ON INSTRUCTIONS There are two versions of the shawl : Version 1 and Version 2. Version 2 is slightly lacier, as it incorporates more yarn overs in the diagonal mesh portions of the shawl. Only the RS rows are charted : Work chart as follows : RS – work charts ; WS – k2, p to last 2 sts, k2 The Chart represents one half of the shawl : Work the chart from right to left, starting with the two border stitches, work across to center stitch. For the second half of the row, work chart again from right to left, ignoring the 2 border stitches and working them at the end, in place of the center stitch. The blue stitch boxes on the right and left ends of the chart represent the two border stitches and the center stitch. Yellow boxes indicate no stitch. The two border stitches will always be knit regardless of WS or RS. There are four increases on every RS row. Rows 113 and 117 shown as the pink rows in the chart, and will be knit according to written instructions. **The chart has been enlarged for easier reading. You will need to cut and paste the two halves together along the central stitch column.

KEY AND ABBREVIATIONS

PATTERN Set Up :  Cast on 5 sts using the long tail cast on.  Knit 2 rows of garter stitch  Knit six rows as follows : Row Row Row Row Row Row

1 2 3 4 5 6

: k2, (pm), yo, (pm), k1 (pm), yo, (pm), k2 : k2, p to last two sts, k2 : k2, yo, k1, yo, k1(cs), yo, k1, yo, k2 : K2, p to last two sts, k2 : k2, yo, k3, yo, k1 (cs) ; yo, k3, yo, k2 : k2, p to last two sts, k2 (15 stitches)

 Begin Row 1 of the chart : Please cut out the two chart halves corresponding to the version that you will be knitting, and join together along the central column. Once you have merged the two chart halves together, you will have your complete chart which represents one half of the shawl - (you will work the chart twice for each row). The first row of stitches will read, k2 (border stitches), yo, k5, yo, k1 (center stitch). There are 142 rows, and you will have 299 stitches after the final patterned row.

Written instructions for Rows 113 and 117 – (rows shown in pink on the chart) k2, yo, *k2tog, yo* (repeat until one stitch before center stitch, then k1, yo, k1 (cs) ; yo, k1, *yo, ssk* (repeat until two final border stitches), then yo, k2

 After Row 142 of the Chart, bind off on the RS as follows : p2tog, transfer stitch back on to left needle, p2tog. This is a stretchy bind off method, but I recommend going up two needle sizes for the bind off as well. Alternatively, you may use the stretchy bind off of your choice   Block : weave in ends, soak in wool wash for at least 30 minutes and block. I recommend using the ‘T’ formation for blocking : I weave a blocking wire down the central spine, and a couple of wires for each half of the top edge of the shawl. I pin out the points with blocking pins.

Here is a photo illustrating the proper way to pin the edging during the blocking process :

Finished and blocked, my shawl measured 70”x 35”, but dimensions may vary according to yarn and gauge! Happy Knitting! Cheers, Marisa

CHART- left side (Version 1)

CHART - right side (Version 1)

CHART - left side (Version 2)

CHART - right side (Version 2)