Confcall Safe Lace Shawl
========================

This bottom-up knitted triangular shawl uses one of the easiest repeats
(:term:`k2t` :term:`yo`) and just one marker to form a lace pattern
which can be worked in those situations where one can't give full
attention to the work.

As a simple triangle, it can be as small or as big as desired, and it
can be declared complete at almost any time, whether your're low on yarn
or just getting bored with it.

It's probably also a good first lace project for relative knitting
beginners, especially with yarn that is sock-weight or bulkier, or as
the first lace project with very thin or otherwise demanding yarn.

This is a work in progress, and more pictures (including one of a
finished shawl) will be added later on.

Materials
---------

Yarn
^^^^

The classic choice for this would of course be lace-weight or fingering
yarn, but sport or DK weight worked with bulky needles may also be fun.

Needles
^^^^^^^

A pair of long straight needles (for smaller shawls) or a circular (for
any size of shawl), in a size significantly bigger than the yarn.

Directions
----------

The shawl is worked from the bottom up, with a garter stitch border 3
:term:`sts` wide, a center column that alternates between 1 and 3 garter
stitches and two sections of :term:`yo`/:term:`k2t` lace, each starting
and ending with a :term:`yo` to increase two stitches on each right
side.

Long tail cast on 3 :term:`sts` and start working the point of the
border:

row 1 (:term:`ws`):
    :term:`k` 3;
row 2 (:term:`rs`):
    :term:`k` 1, :term:`m1r`, :term:`k` 1, :term:`m1l`, :term:`k` 1;
row 3:
    :term:`k` all :term:`sts`;
row 4:
    :term:`k` 1, :term:`m1r`, :term:`k` 3, :term:`m1l`, :term:`k` 1;
row 5:
    :term:`k` all :term:`sts`;

You now have 7 :term:`sts`: place a marker before the center stitch and
start working the lace part:

row 6:
    :term:`k` 3, :term:`yo`, (marker), :term:`k` 1, :term:`yo`,
    :term:`k` 3;
row 7:
    :term:`k` all :term:`sts`;
row 8:
    :term:`k` 3, :term:`yo`, :term:`k` 1 (marker), :term:`k` 2,
    :term:`yo`, :term:`k` 3;
row 9:
    :term:`k` all :term:`sts`;
row 10:
    :term:`k` 3, :term:`yo`, :term:`k2t`, :term:`yo`, (marker) :term:`k`
    1, :term:`yo`, :term:`k2t`, :term:`yo`, :term:`k` 3;
row 11:
    :term:`k` all :term:`sts`;
row 12:
    :term:`k` 3, :term:`yo`, :term:`k2t`, :term:`yo`, :term:`k` 1
    (marker) :term:`k` 2, :term:`yo`, :term:`k2t`, :term:`yo`, :term:`k`
    3;
row 13:
    :term:`k` all :term:`sts`;
    
and then repeat the following lines until the shawl is as long as
you'd like, or until you're low on yarn:

row 4n - 2:
    :term:`k` 3, :term:`yo`, [:term:`k2t`, :term:`yo`] until the marker,
    :term:`k` 1, [:term:`yo`, :term:`k2t`] until 3 :term:`sts` remain on
    the needle, :term:`yo`, :term:`k` 3;
row 4n - 1:
    :term:`k` all :term:`sts`;
row 4n:
    :term:`k` 3, :term:`yo`, [:term:`k2t`, :term:`yo`] until one
    :term:`st` before the marker, :term:`k` 3, [:term:`yo`, :term:`k2t`]
    until 3 :term:`sts` remain on the needle, :term:`yo`, :term:`k` 3;
row 4n + 1:
    :term:`k` all :term:`sts`;

.. figure:: column_1_st.jpg
   :align: center

   On right side rows, when your last :term:`k2t` ends just before the
   marker, yarn over, pass the marker, knit just one stitch for the
   center column and then start again the lace repeat with a yarn over.

.. figure:: column_3_sts.jpg
   :align: center

   On right side rows, when your last :term:`k2t` leaves one stitch
   before the marker, yarn over, knit that stitch, pass the marker, knit
   two other stitches  for the center column for a total of three, and
   then start again the lace repeat with a yarn over.

finally, add 5 lines of  garter stitch border to the top of the shawl:

row 2m (:term:`rs`):
    :term:`k` 3, :term:`m1r`, :term:`k` until 3 :term:`sts` remain,
    :term:`m1l`, :term:`k` 3;
row 2m + 1 (:term:`ws`):
    :term:`k` all sts
row 2m + 2:
    :term:`k` 3, :term:`m1r`, :term:`k` until 3 :term:`sts` remain,
    :term:`m1l`, :term:`k` 3;
row 2m + 3:
    :term:`k` all sts
row 2m + 4:
    :term:`k` 3, :term:`m1r`, :term:`k` until 3 :term:`sts` remain,
    :term:`m1l`, :term:`k` 3;

Bind off.

Block the shawl in a triangular shape.

Gallery
-------

.. figure:: sampler_drops_fabel.jpg
   :align: center
   :alt: A mini-shawl in self-striping gray yarn.

   A sampler of this pattern in sock yarn: DROPS Fabel Long Print (50 g
   = 205 m) in colour 602 worked on 4 mm needles.

   The top edge is about 30 cm long.

.. figure:: wip_white_lace.jpg
   :align: center
   :alt: The beginning of a shawl in very thin white yarn, still on a
      circular needle with a stitch marker near the center stitch.

   The beginning of a shawl in Nm 1/15 merino / silk / cashmere yarn
   (100 g = 1500 m), worked on 3 mm needles.