Cass

Cass Knit Shawl by Tante Ehm

What is Being Made

Cass is a knitted shawl designed by independent designer Tante Ehm. This downloadable PDF pattern creates a triangular shawl measuring 56 inches (142 cm) wide and 19 inches (48 cm) deep after blocking. The shawl is an intermediate-level knitting project suitable for knitters with foundational skills who are ready to work with increases and shaping techniques.

Knitting Techniques Used

The Cass shawl employs several key knitting techniques to achieve its elegant silhouette. The pattern begins with a garter stitch tab, a common method for starting top-down shawls that creates a stable foundation. The body of the shawl grows rapidly through strategic increases placed on every right side row, with 6 stitches increased per row distributed across the shawl: 2 stitches at each end and 2 stitches at the center spine. This increase pattern creates the characteristic triangular shape. The shawl features a wide garter border that provides structure and definition to the edges, softened by a picot edging that adds a delicate, refined finish to the perimeter.

Stitches and Abbreviations

The pattern uses fundamental knitting stitches and specialized techniques:

• k - knit stitch, the basic forward stitch
• p - purl stitch, the reverse of the knit
• yo - yarn over, creating decorative eyelets and increases
• kyok - knit without dropping stitch from left needle, yarn over, knit into stitch again (a specialized increase that creates 2 stitches)
• pm - place marker, used to track pattern sections
• sl m - slip marker, maintaining stitch markers as you work

The main body is worked in stockinette stitch, which creates a smooth, classic fabric that showcases the yarn's characteristics and drape.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

Cass requires 380 yards (347 meters) of yarn, which is provided by 2 skeins of Foxfire Fiber & Designs Cormo Silk Alpaca in DK weight. This yarn blend combines the softness of alpaca with the sheen and structure of silk, creating a fabric with excellent drape and a luxurious appearance. The pattern calls for US #8 (5 mm) needles for the main body and US #9 (5.5 mm) needles for specific sections, with needle size adjusted as needed to achieve the correct gauge. A needle for weaving in ends is also required for finishing.

Gauge and Blocking

Achieving the correct gauge is essential for this shawl to reach its intended finished measurements. The pattern specifies a gauge of 16 stitches and 26 rows equals 4 inches in stockinette stitch after blocking, measured using the smaller US #8 needles. Blocking is a critical finishing step that sets the stitches, evens the fabric, and allows the shawl to reach its full 56 by 19 inch dimensions, ensuring the picot edging and garter border display their intended elegance.