purlJam

# Pattern: The Coastal Ridge Shawl

## Description
The Coastal Ridge Shawl creates a warm, squishy fabric perfect for coastal breezes. While garter stitch is the foundation, this pattern elevates the technique through a **Garter Tab Cast-On** and a top-down triangular construction with decorative eyelet ridges. The bias of the fabric ensures excellent drape, while the worsted weight yarn makes for a quick and satisfying project.

## Difficulty Level
**Intermediate**
*Requires familiarity with: Garter Tab Cast-On, reading your knitting, increasing via yarn overs, and managing large stitch counts.*

## Finished Measurements
*   **Wingspan (Top Edge):** Approx. 152 centimetres (60 inches)
*   **Depth (Centre Spine):** Approx. 71 centimetres (28 inches)
*   *Measurements taken after blocking.*

## Materials
*   **Yarn:** Worsted weight yarn (approx. 180m/100g). You will need approx. 540–600 metres total (3 skeins of 100g).
    *   *Sample shown in Merino Wool.*
*   **Needles:** 5.0mm (US 8) circular needles, at least 80cm (32 inches) long to accommodate the large number of stitches.
*   **Notions:** 2 stitch markers, tapestry needle, blocking pins and mats.

## Tension (Gauge)
18 stitches and 32 rows = 10 centimetres (4 inches) in Garter Stitch, blocked.
*Note: Tension is critical for yarn usage. If you have fewer stitches per 10cm, you may require more yarn.*

## Terminology & Abbreviations (UK Terms)
*   **k:** knit
*   **p:** purl
*   **yo:** yarn over (bring yarn to front, then over the needle to the back to create a new stitch)
*   **k2tog:** knit 2 stitches together (decrease)
*   **RS:** Right Side
*   **WS:** Wrong Side
*   **st(s):** stitch(es)
*   **PM:** place marker
*   **SM:** slip marker
*   **Garter Tab:** A technique to create a seamless top edge.

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## Instructions

### Section 1: Garter Tab Cast-On
1.  Cast on 3 sts.
2.  Knit 6 rows (creates 3 garter ridges).
3.  **Next Row (RS):** K3, do not turn work. Rotate piece 90 degrees clockwise; pick up and knit 3 sts along the side edge (1 in each garter ridge). Rotate piece 90 degrees again; pick up and knit 3 sts along the cast-on edge.
    *   *Math Check: [3 cast on + 3 picked up side + 3 picked up bottom = 9 sts total]*

### Section 2: Set-Up
**Set-Up Row (WS):** K3, p3, k3.
*Note: The first and last 3 stitches form the Garter Border and are knitted on every row.*

**Row 1 (RS):** K3, yo, k1, yo, PM, k1 (centre stitch), PM, yo, k1, yo, k3.
*   *Math Check: [Start 9 sts + 4 increases (yo) = 13 sts]*

**Row 2 (WS):** Knit to marker, SM, p1 (centre st), SM, knit to end.
*   *Math Check: [Stitch count remains 13 sts]*

**Row 3 (RS):** K3, yo, knit to marker, yo, SM, k1, SM, yo, knit to last 3 sts, yo, k3.
*   *Math Check: [Start 13 sts + 4 increases = 17 sts]*

**Row 4 (WS):** Knit to marker, SM, p1, SM, knit to end.

### Section 3: The Body
Repeat **Rows 3 and 4** until the piece measures approximately 20 centimetres (8 inches) from the cast-on edge down the centre spine.
*   *Math Note: You are increasing 4 stitches every RS row. Ensure your stitch count is always odd.*

### Section 4: Eyelet Ridge
This decorative band adds visual interest and breaks up the garter stitch.

**Ridge Row 1 (RS):** K3, yo, *k2tog, yo*, repeat from * to marker, yo, SM, k1, SM, yo, *yo, k2tog*, repeat from * to last 3 sts, yo, k3.
*   *Note: On the second half of the shawl (after the centre marker), you must yo **before** the k2tog to mirror the eyelets correctly. Treat the increases (yo) at the borders and spine separately from the pattern repeat.*
*   *Math Check: [Previous Count + 4 increases = New Count]*

**Ridge Row 2 (WS):** Knit to marker, SM, p1, SM, knit to end.

### Section 5: Continuation
1.  Resume working **Rows 3 and 4** (Standard Garter Body) for another 15 centimetres (6 inches).
2.  Work **Section 4** (Eyelet Ridge).
3.  Resume working **Rows 3 and 4** (Standard Garter Body) for another 15 centimetres (6 inches).
4.  Work **Section 4** (Eyelet Ridge).

Continue in this manner—alternating large blocks of Garter Stitch with Eyelet Ridges—until the shawl measures approximately 66 centimetres (26 inches) deep along the centre spine, or you have approximately 20g of yarn remaining.

### Section 6: Border & Bind Off
Work 4 rows of standard Garter Body (Rows 3 and 4).

**Bind Off (RS):** Use a stretchy bind-off to ensure the edge can be blocked straight.
*   **Technique:** K2, *insert left needle into fronts of these 2 sts and k2tog, k1*, repeat from * until 1 st remains. Break yarn and pull through.

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## Finishing
1.  Weave in all ends using a tapestry needle.
2.  **Blocking is essential** for this pattern to open up the eyelets and smooth the garter stitch.
3.  Soak the shawl in lukewarm water with wool wash for 20 minutes.
4.  Gently squeeze out excess water (do not wring). Roll in a clean towel to remove moisture.
5.  Lay flat on blocking mats. Pin the top edge straight and taut to reach the 152cm wingspan. Pin the bottom point to create a symmetrical triangle.
6.  Allow to dry completely before unpinning.