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Heart is a Spade : Spread the love with this graphic rectangular shawl with two-color brioche spades / hearts popping out from two-color garter backgrounds. “I don’t understand how a heart is a spade, but somehow the vital connection is made” - Elastica

With this pattern, I wanted to create something striking for my wardrobe that would only use 2 skeins of high-contrast yarn. For this pattern to truly shine, I highly recommend using semi-solid yarns for both your colors. Choosing high contrast and complimentary colors will also be a great way for this pattern to really pop! You could also try using colors in the same tonal family, but with a strong contrast, like I did! Greens and blues would give this a much more nature vibe, whereas browns and tans would give it a beachy shell vibe.

See last photo of my yarn in skein form.

Please note the yardage of your yarn!
I used almost all of the 400 yards / 366 m of each skein. A lot of times yarn comes with additional yardage, which you can check before you cast on by weighing the yarn. I did have a bit leftover, which I used to create heart pompom tassels (optional). Be sure to check the yardage on your skeins, you may use all of your yarn. Because this shawl is knit from side to side, it’s easy to see the length of your project and how much yarn you’re using.

Fun Yarn Fact: The Hot Kiss yarn dyed by Mace of Skeins actually glows in black light!! I’ve included a few photos here showcasing that. Talk about a Party Shawl!!!

Heart Pom Tassels: I have included a photo tutorial in the pattern, as well as a link to a video tutorial, to help you to create these! Just in time for Valentine’s Day, if you celebrate!!

Video tutorial: https://bit.ly/HeartPomTassels

This entire pattern is both written as well as charted for your convenience.

Skill level:
Intermediate - I highly recommend previous brioche experience before knitting this shawl.

Techniques used:
knit, purl, knit increases and decreases, brioche knit (brk), brioche purl (brp), brioche increases and decreases, Twisted German Cast On, Elastic Bind Off, making heart-shaped pom pom tassels (optional).

Construction Notes:
You might have already guessed it, but I was inspired by Mace of Skeins for this design!! I wanted to mimic their graphic logo. They will look like spades as you’re knitting this, but if you turn it the other way, they look like hearts! This rectangular shawl is knit from side to side, beginning and ending with a two-color garter stitch fabric. This is created by mimicking two-color brioche knitting: you work one row with your MC yarn, then slide your work back to the other end of your needles and complete the row by working it again with your CC yarn. This creates a lovely background for the Brioche Spades (or are they Hearts?), as they begin to develop. The Spades are staggered throughout the fabric, creating a graphic pop throughout the shawl. As you increase stitches for the Brioche Spades, you will decrease stitches within the two-color garter stitch, and vice versa for the brioche decreases. I added some heart pompom tassels to my sample to give it some extra weight!

Rectangular shawls are so versatile and easy to wear. They are super easy to dress up or down! This shawl is completely reversible, although it does look a bit different on the Contrast Side of the fabric.

» One Size:
61.5” / 156 cm long and 13” / 33 cm wide, measured after blocking.

» Gauge:
22.5 sts and 40 rows = 4” / 10 cm; measured in two-color garter stitch knit flat (taken after blocking).

MATERIALS:

» Yarn:
800 yds / 732 m Fingering / Sock weight
Main Color (MC): 400 yds / 366 m
Contrast Color (CC): 400 yds / 366 m

» Shown in: Mace of Skeins Heart Fingering (100% Superwash Merino Single Ply; 400 yds / 366 m per 100 g)
MC: 1 skein in Hot Kiss (hot pink)
CC: 1 skein in Book of Spells (deep burgundy)

» Needles:
24” / 61 cm or longer US 4 / 3.5 mm circular needles

Circular needles are used for two-color brioche knitting. Adjust needle size as needed to obtain proper gauge.

» Tools:
Split ring or removable marker for placing a stitch on hold while decreasing brioche stitches, 6 stitch markers for noting brioche sections, row counter or your preferred method of keeping track of pattern, tapestry needle for weaving in ends

Many thanks to Macy from Mace of Spades for their amazing yarn support and design inspiration!! Thank you to my previous tech editor Sam Winkler (Bewildered Panda Knits) for all her help in editing my pattern!! Also a HUGE thank you to all my Patrons and test knitters for their help in testing out this pattern!! Be sure to check out their projects for some serious color inspiration!!