A rip tide is a current that runs parallel to the shore; thus the main current and the rip tide current are perpendicular to each other where they meet. I was intrigued by this natural phenomenon and managed to fit these two conflicting wave patterns (horizontal vs. vertical) into a shawl. I was also eager to design an asymmetrical or uneven shawl but still wanted to stick with the generally triangular shape. For my first attempt at this, I chose a right triangle. The knitter begins at the skinny (acute) top angle of the triangle and makes increases on the left or hypotenuse side of the triangle only. To start, just the vertical wave pattern is worked but eventually enough stitches are added and the horizontal wave pattern appears as well.

This shawl is suitable for intermediate knitters who are comfortable with knitting lace and reading charted lace patterns. The shawl is knit back and forth and most, but not all, pattern-work happens on the right side. The two lace patterns are given as charts and as written instructions. A five stitch garter border surrounds the entire shawl and is suspended variously by regular yarn-overs. After blocking, the shawl measures ca. 82” wide (the hypotenuse) and 32” deep, with the long skinny end particularly suited for knotting or flinging over a shoulder.

Yarn recommendations: Fingering weight yarn in solid or slightly tonal hues. Self-striping, heavily speckled or highly variegated yarn is not recommended.

Materials:
Yarn: Mothy and the Squid fingering, 75% SW Merino, 25% Nylon. Colorway: Night Sky. 200 g (2 100 g skeins).

Size US 2 (2.75 mm) circular needles (or size needed to obtain gauge).

Stitch markers are crucial; you will need at least 12 or so.

Tapestry needle for finishing.