Playing with full and empty

Playing with Full and Empty Knitted Shawl by Rutahandmade

Project Overview

Playing with Full and Empty is an intermediate-level knitted shawl design created by Rutahandmade. This downloadable PDF pattern produces a generous rectangular shawl measuring 161x40 cm (approximately 63x16 inches) when unblocked, with adjustable dimensions to suit individual preferences. The design showcases thoughtful interplay between solid and open stitch sections, making it an engaging project for knitters seeking to develop their technical skills.

Yarn and Materials

Yarn Specifications: The pattern calls for Drops Baby Alpaca Silk in sport weight, a luxurious blend combining the softness of alpaca with the lustrous sheen of silk. You will need 5 skeins, with each skein containing 50 grams (1.8 ounces) and yielding 167 meters (183 yards) of yardage, for a total of approximately 835 meters of yarn.

Needles and Tools: The pattern recommends 3.50mm needles, with circular needles in 60cm length preferred for managing the width comfortably. A tapestry needle is required for finishing and weaving in ends.

Gauge and Fit

The pattern establishes a gauge of 23 stitches and 30 rows over a 4x4 inch (10x10 centimeter) swatch in stockinette stitch. Achieving proper gauge is essential for obtaining the intended finished dimensions and drape of the shawl.

Knitting Techniques and Stitches

Core Stitches: The pattern employs fundamental knitting stitches including knit (K) and purl (P) stitches as the foundation. Yarn overs (YO) are used to create the open, lacy sections that define the "empty" spaces in the design concept.

Decreases: Two decrease methods are incorporated: slip, slip, knit (SSK) and knit 2 together (K2TOG). These decreases are essential for shaping and creating the visual contrast between full and empty areas.

Cable Work: The pattern includes a 6-stitch left cable (6LC) technique, adding textural dimension and structural interest to the shawl. Cable stitches create raised, twisted columns that contribute to the "full" sections of the design.

Edge Technique: The pattern recommends slipping the first stitch on both right-side and wrong-side rows, a technique that creates neat, finished selvage edges ideal for a polished appearance.

Difficulty Level

Classified as an intermediate project, Playing with Full and Empty is suitable for knitters with foundational skills who are ready to work with cables, decreases, and yarn overs. The combination of these techniques requires attention to stitch counts and pattern repeats, making it an excellent project for building confidence in more advanced knitting methods.

Design Philosophy

The shawl's name reflects its intentional design approach, alternating between densely worked sections (full) and openwork lace sections (empty). This creates visual interest, textural variety, and a balanced drape that showcases the beautiful qualities of the sport-weight alpaca silk blend.