Gopher takes the garter stitch tab shawl construction to an absurd extreme. Happily, the result is a very wearable finished piece, with nice drape around the shoulders. In the vaguest way, it has a cool Clint Eastwood serape kind of thing going on, which is nice because I have wanted a cool Clint Eastwood serape kind of thing since last winter. It is not a serape. It is a shawl. But it’s got that gunslinger-lookin drape, I guess. It’s got panache.

Samples are knit in Noro Taiyo Sock (smaller, lighter version, upon which .PDF measurements are based) and Caron Cotton Cakes in Amethyst Sky (larger, bulkier, heavier; see forthcoming project page). For me, Noro Taiyo Sock knits up like a heavy sockweight, though it’s really pretty light. You may need to use different needle sizes to achieve the same gauge.

Materials:
For the sample shown: 1 skein of Noro Taiyo Sock or about 455 yards of similar sockweight yarn
1 40” circular needle in US4-5/3.5.5-3.75mm, or size needed for gauge
4 removable stitch markers, or scrap yarn to substitute
Tapestry needle

Gauge:
Gauge for the Noro Taiyo Sock sample is 18 sts and 30 rows of blocked garter stitch, knit flat. This measurement is taken from the body of the shawl, after blocking.

Gauge is not vital, though it may affect the yarn requirements for this pattern if it’s substantially different. If using a different yarn, use a gauge that works with your yarn and gives a light but not fragile fabric.

Size:
As shown, this shawl is about 35”/89cm wide—but the wrap-around edge is about 44” long. To increase the size of the shawl, use worsted yarn or add repeats to the final lace mesh pattern.

(And finally, here’s some related but catchy background music, if you’d like it.)