F.O...well close enough!
I saw this free pattern from Churchmouse Yarns, dropped everything and started knitting away. It's super easy....great for a beginner or when you just need a brainless knit. As suggested, I used a degradé shade of Rowan Brushed Fleece. A super soft blend of extra fine merino wool, baby alpaca and a smidge of polyamide to hold it all together, nice and chunky and warm but extremely light. Kind of "crunchy" looking...just my style...LOL! In addition to a range of Brushed Fleece solid colors, the degrades are in four natural colors and are available at Tia Dana.
HERE'S THE DETAILS...
FINISHED SIZE
Approx. 18 x 76"/46 x 193cm, excluding 6"/15cm fringe at each end, after blocking.
YARN
7 skeins Rowan Brushed Fleece (115 yds/105m each).
Shown in Rowan Brushed Fleece Degrade color 274 Peat.
NEEDLES & NOTIONS
US 10 (6mm) needles, or size to obtain gauge.
US J/ 10 (6mm) crochet hook for fringe.
Darning needle to finish.
GAUGE
Approx. 14 sts = 4"/10cm in stockinette stitch, after blocking.
THE FREE PATTERN
Glossary:
RS = right side; Sl = slip specified number of stitches from left needle to right needle without working (slip purlwise unless directed otherwise); St(s)= stitch(es); WS = wrong side.
Cut fringe:
It’s important to cut fringe and set aside before you begin. It will take a surprising amount of yarn.
Cut 176 pieces of yarn 7"/18cm long, as follows:
Cut two pieces of heavy cardboard that measure 7"/18cm square; hold together.
Note: A hard cover book that measures 14"/36cm around works well, too.
Working loosely (i.e., don’t stretch yarn) wrap yarn 176 times around cardboard; slip scissors between layers of cardboard and cut across wraps at one end.
Make 44 bundles (22 for each end of shawl) with four strands. Set aside.
Cast on:
Using cable cast-on method, cast on 65 sts.
Row 1 (RS): Knit.
Row 2 (WS): With yarn in front, Sl 2, purl to end.
Row 3 (RS): With yarn in back, Sl 2, knit to end.
Repeat Rows 2 and 3 until piece measures 76"/193cm from cast-on edge, or desired length, or you have just enough yarn left to bind off, ending with Row 2.
Bind off:
Bind off all stitches. Cut yarn; fasten off.
Attach fringe:
Starting in second slipped stitch, attach fringe to both ends every third stitch as follows:
Take one bundle of fringe and fold in half. With RS facing, insert crochet hook into center of stitch from WS; pull fold through to WS and pull forward to RS; tuck ends through fold and pull up tightly.
Note: Catch cast-on and bind-off tails into fringe knot.
Finishing:
Soak for 20 minutes in tepid water with a little no-rinse wool soap. Gently squeeze out as much water as possible. Roll in a towel and gently squeeze out more moisture; or place in a zippered pillowcase or lingerie bag and run through spin-only cycle in washing machine.
Lay flat on blocking board or other moisture-safe surface. Weave blocking wires along side edges between second and third edge stitches (just inside slipped stitches) and along short ends just inside cast-on and bound-off edges. Pin wires out to desired dimensions. If using pins instead of wires, place pins close together to prevent scalloping along edges. Allow to dry thoroughly.
Finger-comb fringe; trim to even up length. Repeat until fringe is even.
Photo & Pattern courtesy of Churchmouse Yarns