Friday, August 24, 2012

Seiche Shawl Pattern

Seiche is a term for a standing wave that occurs in a fully or partially contained body of water.  The well mannered ruffle on one side of this triangular bottom-up shawl is constructed of stockinette short rows contained between garter stitch ridges.  The pattern is written for sport weight yarn but can be easily adapted for other weights.

Materials
650 yards sport weight yarn such as Noro Silk Garden Sock, 2 skeins
Size 6 (4 mm) circular needle, 24" or longer
Two stitch markers
Tapestry needle for weaving in ends

Gauge: 4 stitches per inch in garter stitch

Abbreviations:
K - knit
p - purl
pm - place marker
slm - slip marker
yo - yarn over
w&t - wrap and turn. (Bring yarn forward between needles. Slip one stitch from the left needle to the right needle. Bring yarn backward between needles. Return the slipped stitch to the left needle and turn the work.)

Pattern

Set up:
Cast on 12 stitches with long tail cast on.
Knit 3 rows.
Place markers as follows: K10, pm, yo, k1, yo, pm, K1.
Knit one row.

Body:
Row 1: K9, w&t
Row 2: p to end
Row 3: K6, w&t
Row 4: p to end
Row 5: K3, w&t
Row 6: p to end
Row 7: K6, w&t
Row 8: p to end
Row 9: K9, w&t
Row 10: p to end
Row 11: K10, slm, yo, K to second marker, yo, slm, K1
Row 12: K to end
Row 13: repeat row 11
Row 14: K to end

Repeat rows 1-14   45 times or until piece is desired size, ending with row 14.

Finishing:
Knit two rows to form upper edge.
Bind off all stitches loosely.
Weave in ends.
Block if desired.  The ruffles may turn under a bit at the edge but I like the way it helps to shape the ruffle.

Finished dimensions of sample: approx 29" tall by 62" wide



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