purlJam

# TWILIGHT GARDEN SHAWL

A graceful top-down triangle shawl that transitions through a rich color palette inspired by dusk settling over an autumn garden. Simple garter stitch construction with yarn over increases creates an elegant drape perfect for intermediate knitters ready to explore color transitions.

**Finished Measurements**
Wingspan: approximately 68" (173 cm)
Depth at center: approximately 34" (86 cm)

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## MATERIALS

**Yarn**: Worsted weight (#4 Medium), approximately 1200 yards total
- Color A (Dark Brown): 200 yards
- Color B (Deep Purple): 200 yards
- Color C (Forest Green): 200 yards
- Color D (Bone): 200 yards
- Color E (Copper): 200 yards
- Color F (Variegated Brown): 200 yards

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

**Notions**: 
- 3 stitch markers (1 in a unique color for center spine)
- Tapestry needle for weaving in ends
- Blocking pins or wires

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## GAUGE

18 sts × 36 rows = 4" (10 cm) in garter stitch (knit every row), blocked

**Gauge is not critical for this project**, but will affect finished size and yardage used. A relaxed, drapey fabric is desired.

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## ABBREVIATIONS

- k: knit
- p: purl
- yo: yarn over
- RS: right side
- WS: wrong side
- st(s): stitch(es)
- pm: place marker
- sm: slip marker
- beg: beginning
- approx: approximately

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## PATTERN NOTES

**Construction**: This shawl is worked flat from the top down, beginning with a garter tab cast-on. Increases are worked on every RS row at the center spine (2 sts increased) and at both edges (1 st increased at each edge), for a total of 4 sts increased every RS row.

**Stitch Count Progression**: 
- Starting sts: 3
- After pickup: 7 sts
- Stitch count increases by 4 sts every RS row
- Formula: Current sts = 7 + (4 × number of RS rows completed)

**Color Changes**: Change colors at the beginning of a RS row. Cut yarn leaving a 6" tail, join new color leaving a 6" tail, and tie a loose knot to secure. Weave in ends after blocking.

**Markers**: The center spine marker is worked as: k1, yo, sm, k1, yo, k1. This creates the distinctive center line of the shawl.

**Row Count Guide per Section** (approximate):
- Each color section: Work until approximately 200 yards have been used (about 34 rows/17 RS rows)
- You may weigh your yarn to track usage, or measure your work: each color section should add approximately 6-7" to the depth

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## INSTRUCTIONS

### GARTER TAB CAST-ON

Using Color A (Dark Brown), cast on 3 sts using the long-tail method.

Knit 10 rows (5 garter ridges). Do not turn after Row 10.

**Pickup Round**:
Rotate work 90° clockwise. Pick up and knit 3 sts along the side edge (1 st in each garter ridge, skipping the first and last ridges and picking up in the center 3 ridges). 

Rotate work 90° clockwise again. Pick up and knit 3 sts from the cast-on edge (1 st in each of the 3 cast-on sts).

**Total: 9 sts** (3 from top edge + 3 from side edge + 3 from cast-on edge)

Next Row (WS): K3, p1, k1, p1, k3.

**Setup Row (RS)**: K2, yo, k1, yo, pm (unique marker for center spine), k1, pm, yo, k1, yo, k2.

**13 sts** [Math check: 9 + 4 = 13 ✓]

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### SECTION 1: DARK BROWN

**Increase Row (RS)**: K2, yo, knit to 1 st before center marker, yo, k1, sm, k1, sm, k1, yo, knit to last 2 sts, yo, k2. (4 sts increased)

**WS Row**: K3, purl to last 3 sts, k3.

Repeat these 2 rows until you have worked approximately 200 yards of Color A, ending after completing a WS row. 

**Target: approximately 34 rows (17 RS increase rows) = 81 sts**
[Math check: 13 + (17 × 4) = 13 + 68 = 81 ✓]

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### SECTION 2: DEEP PURPLE

Change to Color B (Deep Purple) on next RS row.

Continue working Increase Row (RS) and WS Row as established until you have worked approximately 200 yards of Color B, ending after completing a WS row.

**Target: approximately 34 rows (17 RS increase rows) = 149 sts**
[Math check: 81 + (17 × 4) = 81 + 68 = 149 ✓]

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### SECTION 3: FOREST GREEN

Change to Color C (Forest Green) on next RS row.

Continue working Increase Row (RS) and WS Row as established until you have worked approximately 200 yards of Color C, ending after completing a WS row.

**Target: approximately 34 rows (17 RS increase rows) = 217 sts**
[Math check: 149 + (17 × 4) = 149 + 68 = 217 ✓]

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### SECTION 4: BONE

Change to Color D (Bone) on next RS row.

Continue working Increase Row (RS) and WS Row as established until you have worked approximately 200 yards of Color D, ending after completing a WS row.

**Target: approximately 34 rows (17 RS increase rows) = 285 sts**
[Math check: 217 + (17 × 4) = 217 + 68 = 285 ✓]

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### SECTION 5: COPPER

Change to Color E (Copper) on next RS row.

Continue working Increase Row (RS) and WS Row as established until you have worked approximately 200 yards of Color E, ending after completing a WS row.

**Target: approximately 34 rows (17 RS increase rows) = 353 sts**
[Math check: 285 + (17 × 4) = 285 + 68 = 353 ✓]

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### SECTION 6: VARIEGATED BROWN EDGING

Change to Color F (Variegated Brown) on next RS row.

**Edging Pattern**:

**Row 1 (RS)**: K2, yo, k1, *yo, k2tog; repeat from * to 1 st before center marker, yo, k1, sm, k1, sm, k1, yo, **yo, k2tog; repeat from ** to last 3 sts, k1, yo, k2. (4 sts increased)

**Row 2 (WS)**: K3, purl to last 3 sts, k3.

**Row 3 (RS)**: K2, yo, knit to 1 st before center marker, yo, k1, sm, k1, sm, k1, yo, knit to last 2 sts, yo, k2. (4 sts increased)

**Row 4 (WS)**: K3, purl to last 3 sts, k3.

Repeat Rows 1-4 two more times (3 times total = 12 rows/6 RS rows).

**Final stitch count: 377 sts**
[Math check: 353 + (6 × 4) = 353 + 24 = 377 ✓]

**Bind-Off Row (RS)**: Knit all sts, binding off VERY LOOSELY as you go. Use a larger needle (US 10 or 11) for the bind-off if needed to maintain elasticity.

Cut yarn leaving a 12" tail. Pull through last st to secure.

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## FINISHING

1. **Weave in ends**: Use tapestry needle to weave in all ends along color change edges, following the path of stitches for several inches. Trim excess yarn.

2. **Blocking**: 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.

3. Pin shawl to blocking surface, stretching gently to open up the fabric and even out stitches. Pay special attention to:
   - Stretching the bind-off edge to create a gentle curve
   - Pinning out the center spine line to create a straight edge
   - Ensuring the two side edges are symmetrical

4. Allow to dry completely (24-48 hours) before unpinning.

5. **Care**: Hand wash in cool water with wool wash. Lay flat to dry, reshaping gently.

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## SCHEMATIC

```
        •  (center spine)
       /|\
      / | \
     /  |  \
    /   |   \
   /    |    \
  /     |     \
 /      |      \
/_______|_______\

Wingspan: 68" (173 cm)
Depth: 34" (86 cm)
```

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## DESIGN NOTES

This shawl showcases a moody, earthy palette that transitions from deep forest tones through a luminous bone accent to warm copper, finished with a textural variegated edging. The simple construction allows the color story to shine while creating a versatile accessory perfect for cool weather layering.

**Customization Ideas**:
- Work more or fewer rows in each section to adjust size
- Substitute any 6 colors that inspire you
- Add beads to the eyelet edging for extra sparkle
- Work the entire shawl in one color for a classic look

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**Pattern Design**: Custom Top-Down Triangle Shawl
**Difficulty**: Intermediate
**Techniques Used**: Garter tab cast-on, yarn overs, basic increases, color transitions

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