This pattern begins at the center back neck. There are row by row instructions. The pattern is created with slipped stitches and twisted stitches. Gauge is not critical, but I used sport weight yarn on a size 6. One of the testers used a light dk weight for her solid color. I suggest that if you are using a self striping yarn as I did, wait until you have knit the beginning of the shawl before picking your contrast color.