Chou-gok

Chou-gok (Little Mums) Knit Scarf and Shawl by Joyce Yu

What Is Being Made

Chou-gok, which translates to "Little Mums," is a versatile knit design available in two configurations: a scarf or a shawl. Both versions share the same finished dimensions of 50 inches by 20 inches, making this pattern adaptable to different wearing preferences and occasions. The design features decorative center stitches that create the distinctive shaping characteristic of the piece.

Knitting Techniques Used

This knit pattern employs several fundamental and intermediate knitting techniques to achieve its finished structure. The design utilizes yarn overs to create decorative eyelet details and lace elements throughout the piece. Decreases are worked using both knit two together and slip-slip-knit methods, which are essential for shaping the garment and creating the intentional stitch count changes across the design. Make one increases are incorporated to add stitches where needed, particularly in the center section that defines the shawl's shape. The pattern also employs slip stitches for various construction purposes. Blocking is recommended as a finishing technique to set the garment's final dimensions and enhance stitch definition.

Stitches and Stitch Abbreviations

The pattern uses standard knitting abbreviations and the following key stitches:

• K – knit stitch
• P – purl stitch
• YO – yarn over for lace and eyelet creation
• K2tog – knit two together decrease
• Ssk – slip, slip, knit decrease
• Sl2tog – slip two stitches together
• Psso – pass slipped stitch(es) over
• M1 – make one increase, worked by inserting the left needle into the bar after the last stitch worked and knitting through the back loop
• Rep – repeat sections
• St(s) – stitch(es)
• pm – place marker
• sm – slip marker

Materials and Tools Required

The yarn requirements differ between the two versions of this pattern. For the scarf version, the pattern calls for 2 skeins of Shibui Knits Sock yarn, which provides 191 yards per 50 grams. For the shawl version, only 1 skein of Knitpicks Chroma Fingering Sock Yarn is needed, offering 396 yards per 100 grams. Both yarns are fingering weight, suitable for the 4-ply yarn weight category specified in the pattern.

Additional materials include a 24-inch or longer US #7/4.5mm circular needle for working the piece, stitch markers to track pattern sections and shaping points, a yarn needle for weaving in ends, rust-proof pins for blocking, and blocking wires to help set the finished dimensions. Notably, gauge is not critical for this design, allowing for greater flexibility in yarn and needle substitution.

Pattern Notes and Construction Details

The pattern emphasizes that all stitches should be slipped knitwise throughout the work. The center stitches positioned between placed markers are responsible for shaping the scarf or shawl, creating the distinctive silhouette. An important consideration is that the edging stitch count changes as the pattern progresses, requiring careful marker placement to maintain pattern accuracy and avoid miscounting. The gauge is noted as not important for this project, which increases accessibility for knitters working with different yarn weights or needle sizes.