Balancing on the edge

Balancing on the Edge Shawl by Helen Kennedy

What is Being Made

Balancing on the Edge is an asymmetrical triangular shawl designed by Helen Kennedy. This versatile knitting project is worked sideways, beginning with a small number of cast-on stitches and expanding outward to create a broad finished edge. The asymmetrical construction and adjustable sizing make it suitable for knitters seeking a modern, geometric shawl design that can be customized to personal preferences.

Construction Method and Techniques

The shawl employs a sideways knitting technique, which means you begin at one point with minimal stitches and gradually increase across rows until you reach the desired width at the broad edge. This approach allows for significant flexibility in the finished size without requiring pattern modifications. The design features a repeating stitch section that can be worked multiple times depending on your yarn weight and desired finished dimensions. This repeat-based construction makes the pattern accessible to intermediate knitters while maintaining design integrity across different yarn weights.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The primary stitch used in this shawl is stockinette stitch, which creates a smooth, classic fabric surface. The gauge for this stitch is provided as 21 stitches and 28 rows per 4 inches (10 cm) when worked in DK weight yarn on 4.0 mm (US 6) needles after blocking. The repeating section forms the structural basis of the design, allowing knitters to adjust overall dimensions by simply working through the repeat sequence more or fewer times.

Yarn and Materials

This shawl accommodates a wide range of yarn weights, from delicate lace weight to worsted weight yarns, making it an exceptionally versatile project. The sample shown in the pattern was knitted using sport weight yarn. Recommended yardage varies by yarn weight:

• DK and sport weight: 500 meters / 547 yards
• Sock weight: 600 meters / 656 yards
• Lace weight: 800 meters / 875 yards

Needles and Notions

Needle size should be selected to match your chosen yarn weight. Recommended needle sizes include:

• 4.0 mm (US 6) for DK weight yarn
• 3.75 mm (US 5) for sport weight yarn
• 3.5 mm (US 4) for sock weight or lace weight yarn

A circular needle measuring a minimum of 32 inches (80 cm) in length is required to accommodate the expanding stitch count as the shawl grows from the narrow edge to its broad finished width. Additional notions include a stitch marker for tracking pattern repeats and a needle for weaving in ends upon completion.

Difficulty Level and Gauge Notes

This pattern is rated as intermediate, making it suitable for knitters with foundational skills who are ready to explore more complex construction methods. Importantly, gauge is not critical for this project, as the adjustable repeat structure allows you to modify the finished size by working additional or fewer repeats regardless of precise gauge matching. This flexibility makes the pattern forgiving and adaptable to individual tension variations.