I hope you had fun knitting with the three skeins of Cobasi as you watched Ridgely take its shape. While I adore colorwork, Part Two takes a respite from color knitting as we concentrate on the center of the shawl.
We will be creating a Center Lace Panel as the focal point of the shawl. To begin, work Rows 1 thru 10 of the Striped Body/Lace Border Section as in Part One. There are now 62 stitches in the Striped Body section and 15 stitches in the Lace Border section – this stitch count is crucial to the Center Lace Panel. After the completion of Row 10, work the Set Up Rows for the Center Lace Panel. The Set Up Rows and the Center Lace Panel are worked with the MC skein only. The CC and MC2 skeins may each be cut at this point leaving 8″ tails to weave in later. After completing the Set Up Rows, continue with Row 1 of the Center Lace Panel. Because all of the stitches are knit using the MC skein, there is no need to interlock any longer. The Center Lace’s 12 row repeat is worked a total of 3 times. (The Set Up Rows are NOT a part of the first repeat.) I highly recommend placing a Lifeline prior to working the Center Lace Panel. I have provided a stitch count at the end of each Right Side row to assist you.
The Center Lace Panel instructions are in both written and charted formats so you may choose the style most comfortable to you. This chart is a bit more involved to read than the Lace Border chart but it follows the format used in many of today’s most popular patterns. To use the chart, work the stitches before the bold line once. Then, repeat the six stitches within the bold lines until the required number of stitches after the bold line remain. Lastly, work the stitches after the bold lines. The number of stitches required to work the end of the row (after bold lines) can be confusing for new chart users. It is imperative to calculate the correct number of stitches needed to execute these operations. Each symbol in the chart may need more than one stitch to execute the operation.
As an example, let’s work through Row 1 of the chart:
- Work the stitches before the bold line – k5.
- Repeat the stitches within the bold lines – k2tog, yo, k4 until the the correct number of stitches remain.
- To work the three symbols after the bold line, five stitches are required – two for the k2tog, zero for the yarn over (no stitches are needed to make a yo), and three for the k3tog.
The best news is that you can try your hand at the chart and self-check by referring to the written row instructions. I encourage you to stretch yourself and increase your chart know-how as any magazines, books and patterns rely solely on charted instructions. As always, I’m here to help you along the way!
Part Two
Click here to download printable version
Pattern Notes
- A Lifeline is recommended prior to beginning the Center Lace Panel.
- Center Lace Panel is worked with MC skein over ALL stitches.
- To use Center Lace chart, work stitches before bold line once. Repeat the stitches within bold lines until the required number of end stitches outside the lines remain. Note that some rows ending with k3tog require more stitches than chart indicates. Refer to written instructions to verify if needed.
Striped Body/Lace Border (cont.)
Work Rows 1 through 10 in established pattern (as in Part 1) ending after Row 10. There are now 62 stitches in the Striped Body section, 15 Lace Border stitches.
Continue with Set Up for Center Lace Panel.
Center Lace Panel
All stitches in Center Lace Panel are worked with MC skein only! CC skein and MC2 skein may be cut leaving an 8” tail to weave in later.
Set Up
Row 1. Working all stitches with MC skein, knit to marker, slip marker, (continue with MC skein) k3, yo, k3tog, yo, k3, yo, k3tog, yo, k3tog.
Row 2. With MC, yo, k13, remove marker, (continue with MC skein) and knit to end of row. (76 stitches)
Continue with Row 1 of Center Lace Panel.
Center Lace Panel Chart
All stitches worked in MC.
Center Lace (12 row repeat)
All stitches worked with MC skein only. Stitch count given in ( ).
Row 1. K5, *k2tog, yo, k4; repeat from * to last 5 stitches, k2tog, yo, k3tog. (74 sts)
Row 2 (and ALL even numbered rows through Row 12). Yo, knit to end of row.
Row 3. K4, * k2tog, yo, k1, yo, k2tog, k1; repeat from * to last 5 stitches, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, k2tog. (75 sts)
Row 5. K3, k2tog, yo, *k3, yo, k3tog, yo; repeat from * to last 5 stitches, k3, yo, k2tog. (76 sts)
Row 7. K2, *k2tog, yo, k4; repeat from * to last 9 stitches, k2tog, yo, k5, yo, k2tog. (77 sts)
Row 9. K4, *yo, k2tog, k1, k2tog, yo, k1; repeat from * to last 8 stitches, yo, k2tog, k1, k2tog, yo, k3tog. (76 sts)
Row 11. K5, *yo, k3tog, yo, k3; repeat from * to last 6 stitches, yo, k3tog, yo, k3tog. (75 sts)
Row 12. Same as Row 2.
Work above repeat 3 times. (76 stitches)
Happy knitting!