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SQUARE SHAPED
SHAWLS
By Uknitted Kingdom
In the first of a new series of “recipes” we’ll be
showing you how to create basic shawl shapes.
These will not necessarily include row by row instructions,
but brief directions about where to increase
and decrease to obtain a particular shape.
Use any yarn with needles appropriate for the
drape you prefer.
Increases and decreases:
Use whichever increase and decrease methods
you prefer.
For a symmetrical appearance use mirrored increases
and decreases.
Generally, you will be able to move the placement
of any increase or decrease to the left or to the
right by a couple of stitches and still achieve the
same shape. Many designers choose to use increases
and decreases on the inside of a simple or patterned
selvedge, or garter or I-cord edging. For example,
you may choose to knit 3 stitches in garter before
making your right-hand increase or decrease, and 3
stitches in garter after making left hand increase or
decrease.
Using yarn overs creates a
decorative increase. However, if
you want the decreases to match
you will have to use a yarn over
preceded or followed by a decrease.
Any of these recipes could be
used to create a blanket, either
smaller squares joined together,
or one large square.
The simplest of all methods is
the basic garter stitch square.
For a square without any
increases or decreases:
Cast on the desired number
of stitches and knit in garter stitch
until the length matches the
width.
For a square shaped diagonally:
Cast on 1 stitch.
Increase at the beginning of every row in garter
stitch until the desired width is reached.
Bind off when the square is the required size.
Decrease at the end of each row in garter stitch
until you have only one stitch left.
These 2 recipes form the center of traditional hap
designs.
For a mitered square:
Cast on an odd number of stitches. This will be
the bottom two edges of your diagonally shaped
square.
Make a central double decrease using the center
3 stitches on every other row, continue in garter stitch
until the last 3 stitches and tie off with a central double
decrease.
An example of this square is shown in more detail
in the “Golden Ratio Cowl” on page 15.
Or Cast on an even number of
stitches. Place a marker in the center of
the stitches.
On every row of garter stitch, knit
until two stitches before the marker.
Make a single decrease, SM, knit to the
end of row.
When you are left with the final 2
stitches, knit them together to bind off.
Or:
Cast on 1 stitch. Increase by 2 stitches
(3 sts in total). Place a marker on either
side of the center stitch.
RS rows: Knit to marker, increase, slip
marker, k1, slip marker, increase, knit to
end of row
WS rows: Knit
Bind off when the square is the required
size.
For center-out squares:
Center-out squares are knitting inthe-round,
and therefore well suited to
stockinette stitch patterns.
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