Perfect Retreat Shawl by Susan B. Anderson

Perfect Retreat Shawl

Knitting
July 2015
Fingering (14 wpi) ?
5.5 stitches = 1 inch
in stockinette stitch
US 6 - 4.0 mm
400 - 800 yards (366 - 732 m)
1 skein (400 yds.) and 2 skein (800 yds.) sizes (50-inch wingspan, 24-inch depth; 63-inch wingspan, 31-inch depth
English
This pattern is available for $6.00 USD buy it now

Click here to see my blog post on this shawl!

The Perfect Retreat Shawl was designed for the Super Summer Knitogether or SSK Retreat so with the retreat knitting-theme specifically in mind I designed this shawl.

After the simple set-up rows, the body of the shawl is mindless garter stitch with a two-row repeat, one simple increase row and one knit row. After 99 rows of garter stitch you are ready to add some simple lace to the edge.

The shawl is designed to start the 6 set-up rows at home, head off to the retreat. Then you are set to relax and knit garter stitch to your heart’s content. By the time you get home you’ll be ready to add the final lace edging. While working on the lace you can remember the fun and friends from the retreat.

Another fun idea would be to start the Perfect Retreat Shawl with a yarn you have in your stash. Work the body of the shawl at the retreat. Then purchase a coordinating skein of fingering weight yarn at the retreat to use for the lace sections when you get home. You will instantly have created a memory shawl from your retreat!

The Perfect Retreat Shawl is actually just as perfect for non-retreat knitting, relaxing at home, travel, watching your kids’ sports or activities, waiting for appointments or for the water to boil while cooking pasta for dinner, etc. It’s a perfect shawl for your everyday life knitting.

Finished measurements after blocking:
1 skein shawl: 50-inch wingspan, 24-inch depth
2 skein shawl: 63-inch wingspan, 31-inch depth

Yarn: Sun Valley Fibers, 75% Merino, 15% Cashmere, 10% Nylon, 400 yards, fingering weight, 1 or 2 skeins in Labyrinth for selected size

Yarn amount notes:
The 1 Skein size will use most all of 400 yards.
The 2 Skein size finished shawl, 800 yards, it weighs 199 grams.
The Sun Valley MCN skeins are generous and only go by yardage, not weight. For the 2 Skein shawl I did have 37 grams left over from the second skein.

Needles: US size 6/4mm, 32-inch circular or size to obtain gauge

Gauge: 5.5 stitches per inch in stockinette stitch before blocking

Materials:
Stitch markers
Yarn needle
Optional: Blocking wires and pins