An easy to knit shawl or scarf

I love to knit however my interest is in producing a garment that can be worn as opposed to knick knack type projects. I live in a sub tropical climate where there are only about six weeks of the year that require warmer clothing and, as none of my grandchildren can wear wool, which is my preferred type of yarn, I struggle to find a project to keep my fingers busy and satisfy my creative interests. Wool or yarns with high wool or mohair content are  lovely to knit and create a soft, quality garment.

 knitted shawl

I have made a few of these shawls for family and friends choosing a variety of yarns. The one I did in Baby Kid Yarn was so light and delicate that it seemed to float in a tiny breeze. I got that yarn from a delightful knitting shop in Denver, Colarado. It was the most expensive yarn I had ever purchased but the shawl was so lovely that after I returned home I sent for more yarn to knit another one!

I knitted the above shawl for my sister. The yarn was a Moda Vera [Faith] 60% wool and 40% acrylic knitted on 5mm knitting pins. With 100 stitches the width was 63 cm and the length 1.8. It took 5 x 50g balls.

semi lacey knitting stitch

The stitch is a very simple four row one that I found many years ago in my mother's well worn stitch book. I purchased a later edition of that book for myself forty years ago and have used it  to almost death over the years on knitting for my own children, nieces and nephews. My daughters no longer knit and although I have taught both my granddaughter and grandson to knit I doubt they will need my precious book.

Light weight  easy to knit scarf

I calculate the number of stitches according to the width I require.  The scarf above I knitted for a 92 year old friend who wasflying into a cold New Zealand Autumn. I again used a Moda Vera yarn [ Faith] 60% wool and 40% acrylic om 5mm knitting pins. It took 4 x 50g balls with the finished scarf measuring 37cm wide and 1.3m long. [Eva doesn't like long scarves. ]

easy open knitting stitch

So here's my easy stitch.

Cast on an even number of stitches according to the width you require. I knitted 100 stitches for the shawl and 60 for the scarf. You need to keep 3 stitches either end for the edge of the piece.

Row One:  Knit all stitches
Row Two:  Knit all stitches
Row three: Knit all stitches
Row Four: Knit three [3] stitches, *yarn in front, Knit two [2] together through front loop** 
                   repeat from * to ** until the last three [3] stitches, Knit three [3] stitches.

My tip for a firm edge: Always slip the first stitch without knitting it and knit the last stitch through the back loop.