Garter tab cast on
This half pi shawl starts with a garter tab. Cast on 3 stitches, knit 4 rows then pick up 2 stitches along the edge of your work and 3 stitches along the cast on edge (8 sts, 6 edge and 2 middle).
Row 1
Knit all stitches (8 sts).
Row 2
An increase row: Knit 3 stitches, *yarn over, knit 1* repeat ** to the last 3 stitches, yarn over and knit 3 stitches (11 sts, 6 edge and 5 middle).
Rows 3-5 (3 rows)
Knit all stitches (11 sts).
Row 6
An increase row: Knit 3 stitches, *yarn over, knit 1* repeat ** to the last 3 stitches, yarn over and knit 3 stitches (17 sts, 6 edge and 11 middle)
Rows 7-12 (6 rows)
Knit all stitches (17 sts).
Row 13
An increase row: Knit 3 stitches, *yarn over, knit 1* repeat ** to the last 3 stitches, yarn over and knit 3 stitches (29 sts, 6 edge and 23 middle)
Rows 14-25 (12 rows)
Knit all stitches (29 sts).
Row 26
An increase row: Knit 3 stitches, *yarn over, knit 1* repeat ** to the last 3 stitches, yarn over and knit 3 stitches (53 sts, 6 edge and 47 middle)
Rows 27-50 (24 rows)
Knit all stitches (53 sts).
Row 51
An increase row: Knit 3 stitches, *yarn over, knit 1* repeat ** to the last 3 stitches, yarn over and knit 3 stitches (101 sts, 6 edge and 95 middle)
Rows 52-99 (48 rows)
Knit all stitches (101 sts)
Row 100
An increase row: Knit 3 stitches, *yarn over, knit 1* repeat ** to the last 3 stitches, yarn over and knit 3 stitches (197 sts, 6 edge and 191 middle)
Continuing on
You may continue to double your row counts and double (+1) your stitches between the 3 stitch edge. If you are using one cake of “shawl in a cake” like I did, I was able to get about 58 rows in the next section (which would have been 96 rows) before I had to bind off.
A note about binding off
A stretchy bind off or decorative bind off is recommended.
For a project that lays flat, bind off at the end or towards the end of the full row count for a flat knitting section.
For a ruffle edge, work an increase row, one knit row and then bind off.
For a project that lays flat, bind off at the end or towards the end of the full row count for a flat knitting section.
For a ruffle edge, work an increase row, one knit row and then bind off.
If you’re a hard-copy gal, here’s a free, printable PDF version of the pattern for you to enjoy:
For visual learners out there, I’ve made a video tutorial for this half pi shawl! I think it’s especially helpful to demonstrate the garter tab cast on if you’re not too familiar with it yet!
Share your half pi shawl on Ravelry if ‘ya got one!