One Splendid Skein by Fredi Baker

One Splendid Skein

Knitting
February 2021
Fingering (14 wpi) ?
20 stitches and 28 rows = 4 inches
in garter stitch rows
US 2 - 2.75 mm
US 3 - 3.25 mm
US 4 - 3.5 mm
US 5 - 3.75 mm
400 - 460 yards (366 - 421 m)
English
This pattern is available for $7.00 USD buy it now

I love collecting a single splendid skein of fingering weight yarn now and again as a memento of a happy yarn experience, even if I have absolutely no idea of what to knit with it. One new favorite of mine is from Junk Yarn in Indira (gold) that I serendipitously discovered at my LYS, Rumpelstiltskin. One look and I was smitten! Another favorite is from Emma’s Yarn in Mexican Wedding Dress (greens/multis). Every time I saw it in my stash, it reminded me of that happy time spent at StitchesWest 2019 when I found it. Maybe you have your own happy memories and can relate?

Designed for a single splendid skein of fingering weight yarn, this shawl will take the entire skein, and is adjustable to fit your skein yardage - approx. 400 to 467 yards, depending on the brand. The shape of this shawl is a very wearable, elongated triangle. The yarn over/dropped stitches make it a quick knit that really showcases the beauty of the yarn, and the tassels add a happy finishing touch. You can wear your shawl as a cozy wrap, or drape it lightly over your shoulders.

MATERIALS:

1 skein fingering weight yarn, approximately 100 grams and 400+ yards. A few examples are:

Junkyarn SMOOTH SOCK (75% Superwash Merino, 25% nylon 4-ply) in the Indira color way (golds)
Emma’s Yarn SUPER SILKY (80% Superwash Meino, 20% silk) in the Mexican Wedding Dress color way (shades of teal/turquoise with lots of multi-colors)
Knit Circus FLYING TRAPEZE MODERNIST (90% Superwash Targhee wool, 10% nylon) in the Flower Stand color way (pinks with greens, gold, etc)
The Dye Project VENTANA (75% Blue Faced Leicester, 25% silk, 435 yds/ 100 grams) in the Nightshade color way (eggplant/purple) with contrasting tassels
Synth Rider Fiber SUPERWASH MERINO/NYLON ( 75% SW merino, 25% nylon in the How Will I know (If He Really Loves Me) color way (pinks)

24” to 32” circular needles between a size 2 and 5 - whatever will produce a nice, not too stiff, not too loose, kind of drape-y shawl like fabric. You know what I mean.
Tapestry needle to weave in ends
Optional but highly recommended! yarn scale - this is how you determine how to customize your shawl to get the most benefit from almost every bit of your yarn. You can also use a diet scale, a postage scale, etc.

APPROXIMATE GAUGES: Exact gauge isn’t that important - it’s a shawl, after all. That said, in general your gauge will be between 4.5-7 stitches and 21-30 rows in garter stitch to 4”/10 cm. after blocking

APPROXIMATE FINISHED MEASUREMENTS: between 64-68” along neck edge excluding tassels, and between 13-14” depth at center point