This shawl is knit from the centre neck stitches down, with increases placed to give a curved shape perfect for wrapping around the neck and shoulders. Slipped stitches add visual and textural interest, giving structure to the garter stitch fabric then ending by forming buds that open up into a lace edging.

The shawl is knit in two colours, working only one at a time, in two-row stripes. It is reversible, with a right side showing clear stripes and Main Colour slipped stitches, and a wrong side showing the slipstitch pattern in Contrast Colour over a muted stripes background. Clever placement of the color change means there are no visible jogs or floats.

Although the fabric of the shawl is primarily garter stitch, this is not a beginner’s project. The set-up rows and the increases in slipped stitches involve unusual stitch manipulations. By following the detailed directions and step-by-step photos, and being prepared to try some new tricks, you will be rewarded with a bit of knitterly magic, as two-sided striped-and-slip-stitched fabric emerges from your needles!

The pattern includes both charted and written directions, and options for either lace weight or light fingering/fingering/light sport weight yarn. Yardage requirements for the two versions are as follows:

Light fingering (fingering/light sport weight yarn):
400m / 438yd in MC and 300m / 328yd in CC
Gauge: 22 sts and 44 rows = 10 cm / 4 inches in garter stitch on size US 5 / 3.75 mm (US 3 / 3.25 mm) needle.
Samples also shown here and here.

Lace weight yarn:
550m / 601yd in MC and 440m / 481yd in CC
Gauge: 28 sts and 56 rows = 10 cm / 4 inches in garter stitch on size US 2 ½ / 3.0 mm needle. Sample also shown here.

The shawl is knit back and forth on a circular needle, 32 inches / 80 cm or longer. A tapestry needle is needed for weaving in of ends, and the optional use of a cable needle is described in the pattern.

The finished size of both versions is approximately 50 cm / 20 inches from centre neck to each of the five edge points, as well as from one edge point to the next one after moderate blocking. Aggressive blocking will result in a larger finished size.

Thank you to test knitters Lilja2 and Jettshin, and
many thanks to MGMills for great support and editing!