BitterBlue by Barbara Benson

BitterBlue

Knitting
August 2014
Fingering (14 wpi) ?
10 stitches and 13 rows = 2 inches
in Stockinette
US 5 - 3.75 mm
600 yards (549 m)
25" x 46" (63.5 x 117 cm), customizable
Flag of English English
This pattern is available for $7.00 USD buy it now

This pattern is available on Knit Companion.

What would happen if I worked beads in gradient on a yarn that is also a gradient? That is the question I asked myself and this shawl is the answer. A little bit of texture plus a little bit of lace allows the beauty of the yarn & beads to shine through.

To get the colors just right, this pattern was developed in conjunction with the yarn artists at The Unique Sheep and the bead genius at Earthfaire. The beads are placed with a crochet hook which is super easy to do, it just takes a little time.

Other than the beads, the pattern is pretty simple. Knits, purls, and very basic lace add up to be more than sum of the parts. The pattern is appropriate for an adventurous beginner who understands that the beads are gonna slow you down a bit and still has enough going on to keep a seasoned knitter engaged.

Cast-on is at the tiny point and you can knit until you run out of yarn if you so desire. The bind off is beaded. And really, while I feel that the beads really make this shawl - you could knit it without and still have a beautiful piece.

Designed to work with a 6 skein Gradiance set (100 yd/25 g each of 6 mini-skeins) from The Unique Sheep. Requires 35 g each of 4 colors of #6 seed beads applied with a tiny crochet hook. Pattern includes instructions for using only two colors of beads.

The original samples were knit in color-ways that are exclusive to Earthfaire.com. They are called BitterBlue and Magic Carpet. They can be special ordered from Earthfaire check out the details here.

If you would like to see this shawl in action check out the pattern tour video on my YouTube channel Watch Barbara Knit.

This pattern is available on KnitCompanion