Shawl fish bone

Shawl Fish Bone by BNMByo

What is Being Made

The Shawl Fish Bone is a knitted shawl designed by BNMByo, featuring a universal size with finished measurements of 97cm (38.2 inches) in length when including fringe, and 160cm (63 inches) in width. This downloadable PDF pattern is ideal for knitters seeking a versatile accessory piece that combines elegant drape with textural interest.

Skill Level and Suitability

Rated as an easy, beginner-friendly project, the Shawl Fish Bone is accessible to knitters new to shawl construction. The pattern's straightforward approach makes it an excellent introduction to shawl knitting techniques without requiring advanced skills.

Techniques Used

This pattern employs several fundamental and intermediate knitting techniques to create its distinctive fish bone texture and structure:

• Cable knitting: The pattern utilizes cable stitches, specifically c6b (cable 6 back) and c6f (cable 6 front) techniques, which create the characteristic twisted, rope-like texture that gives the shawl its fish bone appearance
• Yarn overs: Incorporated throughout the pattern to create openwork elements and increase stitches strategically
• Decreases: Both k2tog (knit 2 together) and ssk (slip, slip, knit) techniques are used to shape and balance the shawl's construction
• Gauge management: The pattern emphasizes the importance of checking gauge before beginning, with a specified gauge of 17 stitches and 24 rows per 4 inches

Stitches Used

The Shawl Fish Bone pattern incorporates the following core stitches and abbreviations:

• k – knit stitch, the fundamental building block of the pattern
• p – purl stitch, used to create texture variation
• yo – yarn over, creating deliberate holes and lace elements
• k2tog – knit 2 together, a right-leaning decrease
• ssk – slip, slip, knit (slip 2 stitches knitwise, insert left needle through fronts and knit together), a left-leaning decrease
• c6b – cable 6 back (place first 3 stitches on cable needle, hold in back, knit next 3 stitches, then knit stitches from cable needle)
• c6f – cable 6 front (place first 3 stitches on cable needle, hold in front, knit next 3 stitches, then knit stitches from cable needle)

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The Shawl Fish Bone pattern requires 800 grams of 100% sheep wool yarn in a worsted weight, which provides approximately 100cm of length. The pattern notes that if a smaller finished length and width are desired, less yardage will be needed, allowing for customization based on individual preferences.

Knitting needles size 6 (4.0mm) are required for this project. The pattern specifies that needles may be either double-pointed or circular, offering flexibility in needle choice based on knitter preference and comfort. Circular needles are often preferred for larger shawl projects as they accommodate the increasing number of stitches more easily.

Pattern Notes

The designer emphasizes the importance of checking gauge before beginning the project to ensure accurate finished measurements and proper yarn yardage usage. The specified gauge of 17 stitches and 24 rows per 4 inches is critical for achieving the intended drape and dimensions of the completed shawl.