Shawl Geometry: Rectangles
This is the twelfth post in a series about different shawl shapes and how to knit them. All the posts in the series can be found right here.
Rectangles
Like the Edge to Edge Square, the Basic Rectangle is knit flat and worked straight from cast on edge to bind off edge, with no increasing or decreasing necessary.
Basic Rectangle Calculations
Calculating your cast on and row count
Determine your final gauge, and desired dimensions.
[Stitch gauge] x [desired width] = [# of sts to CO]
[Row gauge] x [desired length] = [# of rows]
Note: you can work your knitting either by casting on at a long end or a short end. Use the measurement of your desired cast on edge as your “width” and your second measurement as your “length.”
Knitting Instructions
CO [# of sts to CO].
R1: knit across.
R2: purl across.
Rep R1&2 until [# of rows] have been worked.
Bind off loosely.
Both of these rectangles can also be worked using a provisional cast on, so that the stitch pattern flows out from the center of the shawl.
To do this, cast on using a provisional cast on, work until your shawl is half your desired length (or width), and bind off.
Then pick up your provisional cast on, and again work until your shawl is half your desired length (or width), and bind off.
This creates a shawl where the pattern emanates from the center of the rectangle out towards both bind off edges.
To create a shawl in which the pattern flows in towards the center of your rectangle.
Cast on and work until your shawl is half your desired length (or width) then place your live stitches on waste yarn. Cast on a second time and work until your shawl is half your desired length (or width). Then graft the two sets of live stitches together.
The previous post: Bias Squares
The next post: Square with a Diagonal Slit
Shawl Geometry: Bias Square
This is the tenth post in a series about different shawl shapes and how to knit them. All the posts in the series can be found right here.
Bias Square
The Bias Square is knit at on a diagonal, starting in one corner and working to its opposite corner. This is accomplished by working a single increase at either edge, every other row through the first half of your shawl, and then working a single decrease at either edge every other row through the second half.
Woven fabric cut on the bias is cut at a 45 degree angle to the warp and weft threads. Since we don’t generally cut our hand knitted fabric, to get fabric on the bias in hand knitting you start working at one corner and work your way to the opposite corner.
This shawl must be blocked once it’s done or it won’t be square. Before blocking, the fabric will pull inwards width-wise and will looked like a squashed rhombus rather than a living breathing square, but it will block into a square, even though you may doubt it while you’re knitting.
Knitting Instructions
CO 3sts.
R1: k1, kfbf, k1.
R2: purl across.
Increase Section
R3: k2, yo, k to last 2sts, yo, k2.
R4: purl across.
Rep R3&4 until the square is your desired width along one edge.
Decrease Section
R5: k2, ssk, k to last 4sts, k2tog, k2.
R6: purl across
Rep R5&6 to 7sts.
R7: k2, sk2p, k2
R8: purl across.
R9: k1, sk2p, k1.
Bind off loosely.
The previous post: Edge to Edge Square
The next post: Rectangles
Shawl Geometry: Edge to Edge Square
This is the ninth post in a series about different shawl shapes and how to knit them. All the posts in the series can be found right here.
Edge to Edge Square
The Edge to Edge Square is knit flat and worked straight from the cast on edge to the bind off edge, with no increasing or decreasing. It’s one of the easiest shawl shapes there is to work, and because of this, it’s a fantastic shape for getting your feet wet adding stitch patterns to shawls.
Calculating your cast on and row count
Determine your final gauge, and desired dimensions.
[Stitch gauge] x [desired width] = [# of sts to CO]
[Row gauge] x [desired height] = [# of rows]
Knitting Instructions
CO [# of sts to CO].
R1: knit across.
R2: purl across.
Rep R1&2 until [# of rows] have been worked.
Bind off loosely.
If you want to incorporate a stitch pattern or motif, make sure your cast on number is divisible by the number of stitches in your stitch repeat, and your number of rows is divisible by the number of rows in your stitch repeat.
The previous post: Side to Side Triangle
The next post: Bias Square
