We draw lines in life and expect people to stay neatly on one side. “Here is good,” we say, “and there is bad. This is right and that is wrong.” But real life doesn’t work quite that neatly. There’s nuance and complexity in each decision, and most people fall somewhere in the gray between the lines.

The Between the Lines Shawl pattern is a testament to what’s possible when everyone is given given room to make their own choice. It works with any yarn and is completely customizable. One color or two (or three or more)? Follow the unique turning structure or go a more traditional path? Make each section smaller, add more sections, skip the border? Pick the path that’s right for you - that’s the magic of choice.

The pattern is beginner friendly, using only sc, dc, and ch, and includes loads of customization options so you can make it your own! It’s specifically designed to minimize the need to weave in ends so you only need to weave in the start and end of each row, and there’s an optional border (not shown in the sample) to hide any messy color changes.

Sample
Sample used Tina’s Toasty Toes Toasty Panda Toes, 422yds/91g of Distressed Delphinium (color A), 403yds/87g of Distressed Silver (color B)
Thanks to Tina’s Toasty Toes for providing the yarn for the pattern sample!

Gauge
20 sts and 9 rows = 4”/10cm in dc. Gauge is worked flat and measurements are taken after blocking. Do not stretch the fabric when checking gauge. Gauge may vary based on how you block. The gauge given matches the top half of the shawl, the bottom of the shawl may have a different gauge than the top since it gets pulled more with blocking. Gauge is not essential as a shawl that is slightly larger or smaller will still fit nicely, and the shawl can also be easily adjusted in size. Differences in gauge will change the finished size and will also impact the yardage required.

Yarn, Yardage, and Colors
The pattern works with (almost) any yarn and color style. It’s shown in fingering, but will work with anything from a fingering to aran. It uses approximately 420yds in each color, but includes customization notes so you can work to a percentage of your yardage instead.

The sample uses two tonal colorways that lightly contrast, but the pattern can be worked in any number of colors combined in any number of ways. Work it in entirely in one color, keep the main color and contrast color consistent throughout, add additional sections, introduce new colors, whatever else strikes your fancy. The pattern is ideal for busy colors as it’ll break up the variegation, and it would look amazing using two gradients back to back or a gradient with a contrast.

Size
48”/122cm wingspan; 17”/43cm deep
The pattern can easily be made larger/smaller by working extra repeats at any point. There’s also a note for making the shawl wider.

Modifications and Adjustments
Make the shawl larger/smaller; make either section larger/smaller; adding more sections; adding eyelet rows; adding thin contrast rows; customizing color layout; optional border along the top (not shown in sample)

Skills Required
ch, sc, dc, skipping stitches, changing colors, twisted sc (optional)

Copyright
This pattern and any associated images, schematics, and charts are copyright Rachy Newin Designs and may not be distributed in part or in whole without express written permission. Handmade objects created from this pattern are not subject to copyright and you can do as you please with your finished object.

Printing
Both a regular and printer friendly version are available! The regular version includes large photos on the first page and the last three pages, so print accordingly. For details on what the printer-friendly version includes, see this page. If you are working from the printer-friendly version and are having trouble with a pattern, I strongly recommend checking the regular version. The text will be easier to read and it might have more detailed instructions.

Screen Reader Accessibility
The main pattern pdf is designed to be screen reader accessible. The text is all in one column and headers are formatted according to the style sheet. The pattern is written out completely and the images have descriptive alt text.

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