Asymmetric Knitted Striped Shawlette

When I first saw the pattern for this asymmetric knitted scarf/shawlette, I was drawn to its crisp color blocks and striping.  The colors wove into one another.  The overall effect was simple, but fascinating and sophisticated.  Originally I planned to use this piece for my article on Purple Passion, but the purple hue was more subtle and the key to the piece was its contrast coordination with the other colors in the shawl.  The purple made up only one third of the piece, but I was curious to see how the combination worked out. This pattern, which is published by Plymouth Yarn,  is called Homestead Tweed, 2880.  The directions call for 3 different tweed yarns also by Plymouth (Homestead Tweed 506 oatmeal, 526 thistle, and 505 medium grey).      However, the most surprising aspect of this pattern is the fact that the knitter creates the shape of the shawl only by increasing along one edge.  That's right. There are no decreases. It  does not seem logical, but it works.  For my first adventure  with this pattern I chose Lion Brand Vanna's Choice:  pale gray, charcoal gray, and purple

When I followed the directions, I  ended up with 46 wide from tip to tip and 20 inches long at the center back.  I was excited  to see how the yarn played out. Since there are sufficient amounts left of the dark grey and purple as well as an extra skein of the light gray,   I would consider making a larger shawl in the future. If I work the pattern only a few more rows in each section, that should do the trick.  Another option may be to use a larger needle.  The directions call for a #9.  The resulting scarf is rather. dense.  I do not knit with a tight hand, but I think a looser stitch with a #10 or #10.5 would be attractive.  My only concern  is that the scarf might lose some of its crisp line.  The piece works well as as a scarf or shawlette fastened with a shawl pin.  Since I am 5 foot, 7 inches tall, and I would prefer the drape of a shawl with larger dimensions.  In its current form, the shawl is dense and warm could only be worn in cold weather.  Another change that I would make  would be to use use a lighter color for one of my darker shades.  The striping would be more effective, if the colors in those sections were more distinct.

The only stitch used in this piece is the garter stitch.  At beginning of each 2 step pattern, the knitter increases front and back of the first stitch.  On the return row, the knitter slips the first stitch as if to purl.  Both sides of the shawl are neat and straight.  Since the lines of this shawl are so simple, I do not plan  to add an edging.  That is why is is so important that the sides are neat and straight.  With the 2 line pattern and the switching of colors to create the stripes and different colored blocks, this work does not get boring.  It is fun to see how the pattern is revealed in the different colored yarns.

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This piece is a really good selection for a road trip.  The stitching is very simple.  The color changes are easy and come at the end of rows.  When I wove in the ends on the reverse side, they were basically undetectable.   What is your favorite striped or geometric scarf pattern?  Please post your favorites.