Ceto

Ceto Shawl by Barbara Benson

What is Being Made

Ceto is an intermediate-level knitted lace shawl designed by Barbara Benson. This downloadable PDF pattern features a completely new shawl shape with innovative asymmetrical construction. The design incorporates shaping that creates a triangle on one side, evoking a beach aesthetic. The shawl is inspired by sunsets at the ocean and the designer's happy place, making it a wearable piece of art that celebrates coastal themes through both color and structure.

Techniques Used

This pattern employs several advanced knitting techniques appropriate for intermediate-level crafters. The shawl utilizes yarn overs to create lace elements throughout the design. Shaping techniques are incorporated to form the distinctive asymmetrical triangle construction. The pattern requires careful attention to directional stitches and marker placement to achieve the intended aesthetic.

Stitches Used

• CDD (Central Double Decrease): Insert needle as if to knit two stitches together and slip stitches onto right needle, knit the next stitch, then pass both slipped stitches over together. This creates a centered decrease.
• Knit (k): The fundamental knit stitch forming the base structure
• Purl (p): Used to create texture and pattern variation
• Yarn Over (YO): Essential for creating the lace elements characteristic of this design
• Slip Stitch Knit-wise (ssk): Slip two stitches knit-wise separately, return to left needle, and knit two together through the back loop for a left-leaning decrease
• Slip Stitch with Yarn in Front (s1-wyif): Slip stitch with needle inserted purl-wise and yarn held in front
• Marker Placement (pm) and Slip Marker (sm): Used to track pattern repeats and shaping sections

Materials Required

This lace-weight yarn project requires lace-weight yarn in colors reminiscent of sunset gradients. The pattern calls for two stitch markers to track pattern sections and shaping. A tapestry needle is needed for weaving in ends and finishing. Appropriate needles for lace-weight yarn are required, though specific needle size information is referenced in the PDF gauge section.

Design Inspiration

Ceto draws inspiration from the YarnOver Truck's Happiness Gradient Club yarn shipment, specifically themed around sunsets at the ocean. The designer selected yarn with beautiful sunset colorway that naturally evokes ocean and beach aesthetics. The shawl's asymmetrical shape with triangular construction further reinforces these coastal themes, creating a multi-sensory design that celebrates both color and form.