When we first put together The Simple Collection we had always envisioned it with a shawl. We debated what kind of shawl it would be, unable to decide on the details. I had a few skeins of a very specials yarn and one day, instead of overthinking it, I just started knitting! While it’s more of a basic recipe than a pattern design, Grain is the ultimate simple shawl, it starts at the centre back and works its way out, garter stitch all the way. The texture is fabulous and the shawl is an instant wardrobe classic! Without further ado we bring you Grain.
Grain is written for multiple gauges (fingering, DK, and worsted or aran weight yarn) so it is the perfect shawl for a stash dive. If you have more or less yarn than the pattern suggests, just work until you run out of yarn – saving a bit for the bind off of course!
Pattern Details ::: Grain
Size:
Finished shawl measures 63“ across and 23“ deep (or more, or less, depending on your yardage)Yarn:
600 yards worsted / aran weight yarn
700 yards DK weight yarn
800 yards sock / fingering weight yarn
(sample was knit using Sweet Fiber Cashmere Aran, 1 skein of ‘moonstone’, 1 skein of ‘chartreuse’, 2 skeins each of ‘smoke’ and ‘olive’)Needles:
Worsted: US #9 / 5.5mm 32” circular needle
DK: US #7 / 4.5mm 32” circular needle
Fingering: US #4 / 3.5mm 32” circular needle
(or as required to meet gauge)
A very special yarn
For my shawl I used a very special yarn, Sweet Fiber Cashmere Aran. It needed to become something amazing, but the yarn needed to be the star. Since this cashmere is buttery soft I wanted it around my neck of course! I used all of the colours I had, just striping them as I finished the ball (they have the illusion of even stripes, but they vary slightly).
The Garter Tab Cast-on
There is only one slightly tricky thing about this shawl, and that is the cast on. There are a few different ways to work the garter tab cast on, a most fussy way, a medium fussy way, and skipping it altogether and simply casting on as you would normally. Check out our Garter Tab Cast on tutorial for all the details. Each method has it’s pros and cons, you can see the differences in the image below and go your own way! We also have a full Grain shawl tutorial here.
Ready for a hack
The grain shawl is naturally ready for hacking! Make it stockinette instead of garter, add a lace motif, work a texture pattern, you name it! Just take the basic shape and instructions and go wild! If you haven’t joined our TCK hackathon yet you can check out all the details (including a great prize) here.
other great shawls from TCK:
January 28, 2018 @ 11:51 pm
why do you need to leave enough yarn to cast off, if you have live stitches on a circular needle?
January 31, 2018 @ 11:32 pm
Yep, I usually leave about 3x the length of the thing I’m binding off
May 6, 2017 @ 1:01 pm
I’m in! Question: if I change from Garter to Stockinette with the same yarn weight (different color) – do I change needle size?
May 9, 2017 @ 9:50 am
I don’t THINK you will want to change needle size, but I would just cast on, work a few inches, and see if you like the fabric you are getting. It’s so dependent on what kind of yarn you are using etc.
January 2, 2017 @ 4:24 pm
I could have fun with striping colours too!!
Hacking, stash buster, you name it.
Wonderful offering TCK
December 23, 2016 @ 5:45 am
OH MY GOODNESS OH MY GOODNESS! My chance to hack has presented itself. Does it count to maintain the stripe and the garter stitch and hack the shape to a crescent rather than a triangle? Must research how to do this. If I’ve just inadvertently committed knitting sacrilege please forgive me. I love love love TCK and so enjoy supporting what you all are about. I’m actually planning to knit through the simple collection with a friend whom I’m teaching to knit. Happy holidays and keep up the good work!