YAYOI’S DREAM:
This shawl is named after Japanese artist Yayoi Kasuma. She is the top-selling female artist in the world. There is a documentary about her called Kusama: Infinity (2018) that tells her story. I found the film both interesting and profoundly sad. While brilliant, she struggled, as many women have, to be taken seriously in the art world. Today she is well recognized. At her artistic beginning in the 1950’s, this was not the case. You may enjoy learning about her and her work. The PIECE ITSELF… there is a dot & dash element and a polka dotted element to this patterning. I also really love how it looks on the wrong side. The different beginning. A V-neck start, of sorts, sits the shawl a little differently when you wear it both on your back or on your front. A fun little variation that I have not seen before. Quirky & function, a win!
YARN:
The design is meant to be worked in fingering weight yarn. It could be worked in different weights. If changing up the yarn, you will need to estimate yardage needed & I would suggest using a needle recommended on the yarn ball band, or one size larger.
First Version: Miss Babs– Yummy 2-Ply,
100% Merino, 400 yards/ 100 grams
one skein each
(A) Magic Elixir
(B) Deep Sea Jellyfish
Second Version:
URTH YARNS – 16 Fingering,
100% Merino, 220 yards / 50g
one skein each
(A) Green G-30
(a) Brown BR-50
Madelinetosh– TML + Copper
(base discontinued, color available)
80% Wool, 8% Acrylic, 2% Stellina,
one skein
(B) Caffeinated Glory
NEEDLES & GAUGE:
US 4 / 3.5 mm needles. The project grows from under 100 stitches to over 500. I love having interchangeable needles so I can change cable lengths. If you do not have this option and need to purchase needles, I suggest buying the longest cable you can. GAUGE uses US 4 / 3.5 mm in GARTER, before blocking.
GAUGE 28 Sts to 4” & 32 Rows to 4”
Since this item is not fitted, exact gauge relates to not running out of yarn. I tend to knit on the tighter side. If you knit loosely and do not want to check gauge, use a smaller needle. Conversely, if you knit on the tighter side, you may use the same as me. In either instance, I suggest measuring gauge in process in the beginning to see if you are close to my gauge. (aka “Not Swatching”)
SIZE:
Approximately 32” - 36” high & 58” wide at the top
(depending on blocking & yardage)
NOTIONS:
A yarn sewing needle or crochet hook for tucking in ends.
Markers, some removable.
This project is designed to be worked in fingering weight yarn. Replacing it with a heavier weight yarn could be marvelous, but the amounts needed and needles appropriate would be a little experimentation on your part. I like this pattern and patterning with a pairing of colors with a nice contrast. This can either be a color contrast or a light and dark contrast. If you have two colors that match too much, a lot of the patterning will disappear. If this is your goal, great.
I would classify both my Miss Babs (1st) version & my Urth & Mad.Tosh (2nd) version as color contrast. The second version being a little less contrasty, but still lovely! This would also be stunning in something as basic as black and white. One test knitter used navy and gray for a fabulous result.
Please remember to review Ravelry projects for inspiration if you need some!
Please review all pages of the pattern to see what is offered here just so you are comfortable with what you will be knitting. I do try to coach you along the way, but may help you to find some bits, such as the abbreviations, etc.
I have extended the pattern for more yardage, as many fingering yarns have more yardage. I have let you know where I ended mine and made suggestions. So, you will have to decide what you wish. I do not like to have a lot of left-over yarn, so these are intended to help you use up most of your yardage. You can always end sooner if you have less yarn!