Shawl Geometry: Shallower Triangle
This is the sixth 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 Shallower Triangle shape has the same shaping placements as the Right Triangle, however the rates of shaping are different.
Rather than working a pair of increases (or decreases) at the center spine and a single increase (or decrease) along either edge every other row – you work a pair of increases (or decreases) at the center spine every third row, and a single increase (or decrease) along either edge every row.
Shallower Triangle from the top down
Knitting Instructions
CO 7sts.
{4 border sts + 2 sections + 1 spine}
R1: k2, yo, k1, yo, pm, k1, pm, yo, k1, yo, k2.
R2: p2, yo, p to last 2sts, yo, p2.
R3: k2, yo, k to last 2sts, yo, k2.
R4: p2, yo, p to marker, yo, sm, p1, sm, yo, p to last 2sts, yo, p2.
R5: k2, yo, k to last 2sts, yo, k2.
R6: p2, yo, p to last 2sts, yo, p2.
R7: k2, yo, k to marker, yo, sm, k1, sm, yo, k to last 2sts, yo, k2.
R8: p2, yo, p to last 2sts, yo, p2.
R9: k2, yo, k to last 2sts, yo, k2.
Rep R4-9 to desired dimensions.
Bind off loosely.
Shallower Triangle from the bottom up
To work this shawl bottom up, first figure out how many hem stitches to cast on. Determine your gauge and how deep you want your shawl to be along the center back spine.
Calculating your cast on
Determine your final gauge and desired depth along center back spine.
[Desired depth] / 2 = [Z]
[Z] x [1.732] = [magic number]
[Magic number] x [row gauge] = [# of rows]
[# of rows] / [3 rows per dec rep] = [# of dec reps]
[# of dec reps] x [8sts decreased per dec rep] = [# of sts decreased]
Make this number a whole number that is divisible by 8.
[# of sts decreased] = [# of sts to CO]
Calculating your stitch marker placement
[# of sts to CO] / [2 shawl sections] = [# of sts in one section aka Y]
Knitting Instructions
CO [# of sts to CO].
R1: ssk, kY minus four, k2tog, pm, ssk, kY minus four, k2tog.
R2: p2tog, p to last 2sts, p2togtbl.
R3: ssk, k to last 2sts, k2tog.
R4: p2tog, p to 2sts before marker, p2togtbl, sm, p2tog, p to last 2sts, p2togtbl.
R5: ssk, k to last 2sts, k2tog.
R6: p2tog, p to last 2sts, p2togtbl.
R7: ssk, k to 2sts before marker, k2tog, sm, ssk, k to last 2sts, k2tog.
R8: p2tog, p to last 2sts, p2togtbl.
R9: ssk, k to last 2sts, k2tog.
R10: p2tog, p to 2sts before marker, p2togtbl, sm, p2tog, p to last 2sts, p2togtbl.
Rep R5-10 to 4sts.
Bind off loosely.
This variation creates a triangle that is shallower then the traditional triangular shawl, this makes it a bit easier to wear because you don’t need to make a blanket to make your shawl wide enough to warp around your shoulders comfortably.
The previous post: Right Triangle
The next post: Triangle with Wings #1