This listing is for a PDF hand knitting pattern. Optical is a triangular shawl, worked from the top down starting with a garter tab. It uses a single skein of fingering weight yarn and, after the “source” setup, features a very short repeat so it can easily be worked to whatever length your skein of yarn allows, whether it’s closer to 400 yards or 500 yards. The simple texture and slipped stitches make it a perfect choice for that one skein of yarn that’s a little too busy to be used in many patterns, but is too pretty to just be worked into vanilla socks.

The design was inspired by a tool often used in introductory physics classes known as “optical ray diagrams.” These diagrams are used to understand the behavior of light as it travels from a source through lenses or reflects off mirrors. The design features a stockinette “light source” at the center top, from which rays of slipped-stitch “light” extend to the edges.

Difficulty: Beginner

Required skills: Knit stitch, purl stitch, increasing

Materials

Yarn: One skein (at least 400 yards) of fingering weight yarn, shown here in Lady Dye Yarns Cashmerino in the colorway “pita’’ (430 yards/100 grams)

Needles: US size 5, or size needed to obtain gauge

Notions: Yarn needle
Optional, but recommended: 16 stitch markers, two of which are distinct

Gauge: 24 stitches and 39 rows = 4”/10cm in stockinette stitch after blocking