purlJam

# RAINBOW HORIZON SHAWL

A stunning triangular shawl featuring six vibrant colors that transition through garter stitch ridges, finished with an elegant lace border. Worked from the center top down, this shawl grows organically with simple increases at the spine and edges. Perfect for showcasing a favorite color palette!

**Difficulty Level:** Intermediate

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## MATERIALS

**Yarn:** 600 yards (549 m) total of worsted weight yarn
- Color A: 100 yards (91 m) / 100g
- Color B: 100 yards (91 m) / 100g  
- Color C: 100 yards (91 m) / 100g
- Color D: 100 yards (91 m) / 100g
- Color E: 100 yards (91 m) / 100g
- Color F: 100 yards (91 m) / 100g

**Needles:** US 8 (5 mm) circular needle, 32" (80 cm) or longer, or size needed to obtain gauge

**Notions:** 
- 3 stitch markers (1 in contrasting color for center)
- Tapestry needle for weaving in ends
- Blocking wires (optional but recommended)
- Rust-proof pins for blocking

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## GAUGE

18 stitches × 36 rows = 4" (10 cm) in garter stitch (knit every row), after blocking

**Gauge is not critical for this project**, but will affect yardage and final dimensions.

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## FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

**Wingspan:** approximately 62" (157 cm)  
**Depth:** approximately 31" (79 cm)  
(measurements taken after blocking)

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## PATTERN NOTES

- This shawl is worked flat from the center top point downward.
- Increases are worked on RS rows only: 1 stitch at each edge and 2 stitches at center spine = 4 stitches increased every RS row.
- All WS rows are knit across with no increases.
- Slip markers as you come to them.
- Color changes are made at the beginning of RS rows.
- Carry yarn loosely up the side when working stripes, or cut and weave in ends.
- A lifeline is recommended before beginning the lace border.

**Stitch count verification:** You will increase 4 stitches every RS row (every 2 rows). After X ridges, you will have: 3 + (4 × X) stitches.

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## ABBREVIATIONS

- k: knit
- kfb: knit into front and back of stitch (1 stitch increased)
- RS: right side
- WS: wrong side
- yo: yarn over
- k2tog: knit 2 stitches together (right-leaning decrease)
- ssk: slip, slip, knit (left-leaning decrease)
- pm: place marker
- sm: slip marker

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## PATTERN INSTRUCTIONS

### SETUP

With Color A, cast on 3 sts using the long-tail cast-on (cast on loosely).

**Setup Row (WS):** K1, pm, k1 (this is center stitch), pm, k1.

*Stitch count: 3 sts (1-1-1)*

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### BODY

**Color A Section (Rows 1-30):**

**Row 1 (RS):** Kfb, sm, yo, k1 (center st), yo, sm, kfb. *[4 sts increased; 7 sts total: 2-3-2]*

**Row 2 (WS):** Knit all sts. *[7 sts]*

**Row 3 (RS):** Kfb, knit to marker, sm, yo, k1 (center st), yo, sm, knit to last st, kfb. *[4 sts increased; 11 sts total: 3-5-3]*

**Row 4 (WS):** Knit all sts. *[11 sts]*

**Repeat Rows 3-4** another 13 times (14 repeats total). *[59 sts total after 30 rows: 15-29-15]*

**Verification:** After Row 30, you should have completed 15 garter ridges in Color A and have 59 sts.

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**Color B Section (Rows 31-60):**

Change to Color B at the beginning of Row 31.

**Row 31 (RS):** With Color B, kfb, knit to marker, sm, yo, k1, yo, sm, knit to last st, kfb. *[4 sts increased; 63 sts]*

**Row 32 (WS):** Knit all sts.

**Repeat Rows 31-32** another 14 times (15 repeats total in Color B). *[119 sts total after Row 60: 30-59-30]*

**Verification:** After Row 60, you should have completed 30 garter ridges total and have 119 sts.

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**Color C Section (Rows 61-90):**

Change to Color C at the beginning of Row 61.

**Row 61 (RS):** With Color C, kfb, knit to marker, sm, yo, k1, yo, sm, knit to last st, kfb. *[4 sts increased; 123 sts]*

**Row 62 (WS):** Knit all sts.

**Repeat Rows 61-62** another 14 times (15 repeats total in Color C). *[179 sts total after Row 90: 45-89-45]*

**Verification:** After Row 90, you should have completed 45 garter ridges total and have 179 sts.

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**Color D Section (Rows 91-120):**

Change to Color D at the beginning of Row 91.

**Row 91 (RS):** With Color D, kfb, knit to marker, sm, yo, k1, yo, sm, knit to last st, kfb. *[4 sts increased; 183 sts]*

**Row 92 (WS):** Knit all sts.

**Repeat Rows 91-92** another 14 times (15 repeats total in Color D). *[239 sts total after Row 120: 60-119-60]*

**Verification:** After Row 120, you should have completed 60 garter ridges total and have 239 sts.

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**Color E Section (Rows 121-150):**

Change to Color E at the beginning of Row 121.

**Row 121 (RS):** With Color E, kfb, knit to marker, sm, yo, k1, yo, sm, knit to last st, kfb. *[4 sts increased; 243 sts]*

**Row 122 (WS):** Knit all sts.

**Repeat Rows 121-122** another 14 times (15 repeats total in Color E). *[299 sts total after Row 150: 75-149-75]*

**Verification:** After Row 150, you should have completed 75 garter ridges total and have 299 sts.

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**Color F Section - Garter Stitch Portion (Rows 151-170):**

Change to Color F at the beginning of Row 151.

**Row 151 (RS):** With Color F, kfb, knit to marker, sm, yo, k1, yo, sm, knit to last st, kfb. *[4 sts increased; 303 sts]*

**Row 152 (WS):** Knit all sts.

**Repeat Rows 151-152** another 9 times (10 repeats total). *[339 sts total after Row 170: 85-169-85]*

**Verification:** After Row 170, you should have completed 85 garter ridges total and have 339 sts.

**PLACE LIFELINE before beginning lace border.**

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### LACE BORDER

Continue with Color F for lace border.

**Border Row 1 (RS):** Kfb, k1, *yo, k2tog; repeat from * to 1 st before marker, k1, sm, yo, k1, yo, sm, k1, **ssk, yo; repeat from ** to last 2 sts, k1, kfb. *[4 sts increased; 343 sts]*

**Border Row 2 and all WS rows:** Knit all sts.

**Border Row 3 (RS):** Kfb, k2, *yo, k2tog; repeat from * to 2 sts before marker, k2, sm, yo, k1, yo, sm, k2, **ssk, yo; repeat from ** to last 3 sts, k2, kfb. *[4 sts increased; 347 sts]*

**Border Row 5 (RS):** Kfb, *k2tog, yo; repeat from * to 1 st before marker, k1, sm, yo, k1, yo, sm, k1, **yo, ssk; repeat from ** to last st, kfb. *[4 sts increased; 351 sts]*

**Border Row 7 (RS):** Kfb, k1, *k2tog, yo; repeat from * to 2 sts before marker, k2, sm, yo, k1, yo, sm, k2, **yo, ssk; repeat from ** to last 2 sts, k1, kfb. *[4 sts increased; 355 sts]*

**Border Row 8 (WS):** Knit all sts.

**Repeat Border Rows 1-8** two more times (3 times total). *[379 sts total after 24 border rows: 95-189-95]*

**Final Verification:** After completing lace border, you should have 379 sts and 94 total garter ridges (body) + 12 lace pattern ridges.

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### BIND OFF

**Bind-Off Row (RS):** Bind off very loosely knitwise. 

**Tip:** Use a needle 2-3 sizes larger for bind-off, or use the sewn bind-off method for maximum stretch.

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## FINISHING

1. Weave in all ends securely, especially at color changes.

2. **Blocking (Essential):**
   - Soak shawl in cool water with wool wash for 15-20 minutes
   - Gently squeeze out excess water (do not wring)
   - Roll in a towel to remove more moisture
   - Lay flat on blocking surface
   - Pin out the center top point first
   - Pin out each corner of the bottom edge, stretching to open lace
   - Use blocking wires along the two diagonal edges if available
   - Pin along all edges, paying special attention to the lace border
   - Stretch the yarn overs in the lace border to open the pattern
   - Allow to dry completely (24-48 hours) before unpinning

3. **Expected blocked dimensions:** Approximately 62" wingspan × 31" depth

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## DESIGN NOTES

This shawl uses approximately 100 yards per color for balanced color distribution. The simple garter stitch body showcases color transitions beautifully, while the lace border adds sophistication. The triangular shape is created through consistent increases at the center spine and edges.

**Customization Options:**
- **Size:** Work more or fewer ridges in each color section for a larger or smaller shawl
- **Stripe Width:** Adjust the number of rows per color for different stripe effects
- **Border:** Work additional lace border repeats for a deeper lace edging

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## ABBREVIATIONS REFERENCE

| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|--------------|---------|
| k | knit |
| kfb | knit into front and back of stitch |
| k2tog | knit 2 stitches together |
| pm | place marker |
| RS | right side |
| sm | slip marker |
| ssk | slip, slip, knit |
| st(s) | stitch(es) |
| WS | wrong side |
| yo | yarn over |

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**Pattern designed by [Your Name]**  
**© [Year] All rights reserved.**

For pattern support and to share your finished project, please contact [your contact information].