Knitted Star Cluster Mini Shawl
Imagine a cozy evening spent wrapped in a beautifully crafted Knitted Star Cluster Mini Shawl. This exquisite piece features intricate star-shaped patterns that come together to form a stunning cluster design. The shawl is expertly knitted with care and attention to detail, ensuring a high-quality finish that is both stylish and comfortable to wear. The Knitted Star Cluster Mini Shawl is the perfect accessory to add a touch of elegance to any outfit. Whether you're heading out for a casual brunch or a special evening event, this shawl will elevate your look with its unique design and soft, luxurious feel. Treat yourself to this one-of-a-kind piece or surprise a loved one with a thoughtful gift that is sure to be cherished for years to come.
Yarn: Schoeller + Stahl Spray (100% Cotton; 153 yards [140 meters]/50 grams); #8 - two skeins
Needles: Straight needles in size US 8, straight needles in size US 10 - 11
Notions: Tapestry needle
Gauge: 24 stitches = 4 inches in stockinette on size US 4 needles
To make this piece, we're going to begin in the middle, work one half, and then pick up stitches from the middle to work the other half again (by using a provisional cast on, not by actually picking up stitches). So, using your largest gauge needles and the provisional cast-on technique, cast on 71 stitches. Then switch to your size 8 needles and purl one row cross. Once that's done, we'll begin our pattern, which features the Star Cluster from page 217 of Barbara G. Walker's A Second Treasury of Knitting Patterns and a decrease worked every odd row. First comes the terminology, and then the pattern.
Cluster 2 (c2): slip 2 stitches with yarn in back, bring yarn to front between needles, slip the same 2 stitches back to your left hand needle, pass yarn to back between needles, and then slip the same to stitches with yarn in back again
Middle Row 1 (right side): knit
Middle Row 2 and all even rows (most of them are short rows): purl
Middle Row 3: k5, w&t
Middle Row 5: k10, w&t
Middle Row 7: k15, w&t
Middle Row 9: k20, w&t
Middle Row 11: k25, w&t
Middle Row 13: k30, w&t
Middle Row 15: k35, w&t
Middle Row 17: k40, w&t
Middle Row 19: knit
Middle Row 21: repeat row 17
Middle Row 23: repeat row 15
Middle Row 25: repeat row 13
Middle Row 27: repeat row 11
Middle Row 29: repeat row 9
Middle Row 31: repeat row 7
Middle Row 33: repeat row 5
Middle Row 35: repeat row 3
Middle Rows 37 & 39: knit
Middle Rows 38 & 40: purl
Work these 40 middle rows and then it's time to continue the pattern on the other half of the piece. So let's continue like so:
Row 1: k1, p1, ssk, k3, * k2tog, (yo) twice, k2 together through back loops (k2tog-tbl); rep from * until you have 4 stitches left on your needle, then k2, p1, k1
Row 2: p1, k1, p3, * p1 (through first yo), p1-back (through second yo), c2 * until you have 9 stitches left on your needle, then p1, p1-back, p5, k1, p1
Row 3: k1, p1, ssk, k4, * k2tog, (yo) twice, k2tog-tbl * until you have 6 stitches left on your needle, then k4, p1, k1
Row 4: p1, k1, p3, * c2, p1, p1-back * until you have 8 stitches left on your needle, then c2, p4, k1, p1
Row 5: k1, p1, ssk, k1, * k2tog, (yo) twice, k2 together through back loops (k2tog-tbl); rep from * until you have 4 stitches left on your needle, then k2, p1, k1
Row 6: p1, k1, p3, * p1 (through first yo), p1-back (through second yo), c2 * until you have 7 stitches left on your needle, then p1, p1-back, p3, k1, p1
Row 7: k1, p1, ssk, k2, * k2tog, (yo) twice, k2tog-tbl * until you have 6 stitches left on your needle, then k4, p1, k1
Row 8: p1, k1, p3, * c2, p1, p1-back * until you have 6 stitches left on your needle, then c2, p2, k1, p1
Knit rows 1 - 8 until you have 11 stitches left on your needle, and you've just completed row 8 of the pattern. Notice that you will not have a full repeat of the stitch pattern left on most of your last set of 8 rows, and will be going straight from the stitches before the first * to the stitches after the second *. Once you have 11 stitches left, knit the following rows:
Row 1: k1, p1, k7, p1, k1
Row 2: p1, k1, p7, k1, p1
Knit rows 1 - 2 until this portion of the pattern measures 3" and you've just knit row 2. Then knit the following rows to finish:
Row 1: k1, p1, ssk, k3, k2tog, p1, k1
Row 2: p1, k1, p5, k1, p1
Row 3: k1, p1, ssk, k1, k2tog, p1, k1
Row 4: p1, k1, p3, k1, p1
Row 5: k1, p1, slip 2 together knitwise-k1-p2sso, p1, k1
Row 6: p1, k1, p1, k1, p1
Row 7: k1, slip 2 together knitwise-k1-p2sso, k1
Row 8: p3
Row 9: slip 2 together knitwise-k1-p2sso
Clip tail and pull through final stitch. Tuck in ends and block. Knot skinny ends of mini shawl, if desired.