by Patti Waters

I had the idea to make this shawl when I was looking at the results of an assignment for my other half’s photography class.

The assignment was to take a photograph where the only subject you could use was plain white paper. There were many stunning designs created with folds and curves and light and shad, but one stood out in particular. To me this image looked like a pair of wings spread out, and I had the idea to design a shawl that looked like a pair of wings on the wearer’s back.

SIZE
Smaller[Larger]

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
The shawls shown were blocked to the following measurments:
Width: 56 inches (both versions)
Length at center seam: 10.5[14] inches
Depth of each wing: 24[32] inches

MATERIALS
Yarn
Dream in Color Baby [100% superwash merino wool, 700yd/640m per 113 g skein]; 1 skein
Shown in In Vino Veritas (smaller size, red above) and Dusky Aurora (larger size, purple/teal below)

Recommended needle size
[always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below -- every knitter's gauge is unique]
1 US #6/4mm circular needle, 24 inches or longer, or set of straight needles
1 spare straight or circular needle, US #6/4mm or smaller (used for three-needle bind off)

Notions
Stitch markers
Row counter
Stitch holder
Yarn needle

GAUGE

PATTERN NOTES
[Knitty's list of standard abbreviations and techniques can be found here.]

This shawl is knit in two pieces, which are joined at the center back using a three-needle bind off.

DIRECTIONS

Smaller Version:
CO 5 sts. K 2 rows.

Shape Wing:
Row 1 [RS]: K2, yo, place marker, k1, yo, k2. 7 sts.

All Even-numbered Rows [WS]: K2, p to last 2 sts, k2.

Row 3 [RS]: K all sts.

Row 5 [RS]: K to marker, yo, slip marker, k1, yo, k to end. 9 sts.

Rows 7-18: Work as for Rows 3-5. 15 sts.

Row 19 [RS]: K all sts.

Row 21 [RS]: K2, k2tog, yo, place marker, k1, yo, ssk, yo, slip marker, k1, yo, k2tog, yo, place marker, k1, yo, ssk, k2. 17 sts.

Row 23 [RS]: K all sts.

Row 25 [RS]: K2, *k2tog, yo, slip marker, k1, yo, ssk*; k to next marker, yo, slip marker, k1, yo, k to 2 sts before marker, repeat from * to * once, k2. 19 sts.

Rows 27-42: Work as for Rows 23-26. 27 sts.

Row 43 [RS]: K all sts.

Row 45 [RS]: K2, *k2tog, yo, slip marker, k1, yo, ssk*; k3, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, slip marker, [k1, yo] twice, ssk, k3, repeat from * to * once, k2. 29 sts.

Row 47 [RS]: K all sts.

Row 49 [RS]: K2, *k2tog, yo, slip marker, k1, yo, ssk*; k3, k2tog, yo, k2, yo, slip marker, k1, yo, k2, yo, ssk, k3, repeat from * to * once, k2. 31 sts.

Row 51 [RS]: K all sts.
Row 53 [RS]: K2, *k2tog, yo, slip marker, k1, yo, ssk*; k3, k2tog, yo, place marker, k1, yo, ssk, yo, slip marker, k1, yo, k2tog, yo, place marker, k1, yo, ssk, k3, repeat from * to * once, k2. 33 sts.
Row 55 [RS]: K all sts.
Row 57 [RS]: K2, *k2tog, yo, slip marker, k1, yo, ssk*; k3, repeat from * to * once, k to marker, yo, slip marker, k1, yo, k to 2 sts before marker, repeat from * to * once, k3, repeat from * to * once, k2. 35 sts.
Rows 59-70: Work as for Rows 55-58. 41 sts.

Row 71 [RS]: K all sts.
Row 73 [RS]: K2, *k2tog, yo, slip marker, k1, yo, ssk, k3*; repeat from * to * three times, k2tog, yo, slip marker, k1, yo, ssk, k2.
Row 75 [RS]: K all sts.
Row 77 [RS]: K to marker, yo, slip marker, k1, yo, *k to 2 sts before marker, k2tog, yo, slip marker, k1, yo, ssk*; repeat from * to * three times, k2. 43 sts.
Rows 79-94: Work as for Rows 75-78. 51 sts.

Row 95 [RS]: K all sts.
Row 97 [RS]: *K to marker, yo, slip marker, k1, yo*; repeat from * to * once, **k to 2 sts before marker, k2tog, yo, slip marker, k1, yo, ssk**; repeat from ** to ** twice, k2. 55 sts.
Rows 99-114: Work as for Rows 95-98. 71 sts.

Row 115 [RS]: K all sts.
Row 117 [RS]: *K to marker, yo, slip marker, k1, yo*; repeat from * to * twice, **k to 2 sts before marker, k2tog, yo, slip marker, k1, yo, ssk**; repeat from ** to ** once, k2. 77 sts.
Rows 119-134: Work as for Rows 115-118. 101 sts.

Row 135 [RS]: K all sts.
Row 137 [RS]: *K to marker, yo, slip marker, k1, yo*; repeat from * to * four times, k to end. 111 sts.
Rows 139-154: Work as for Rows 135-138. 151 sts.

Row 155 [RS]: K to second marker, slip marker, k1, yo, k14, sk2p, k to next marker, yo, slip marker, k1, yo, k10, sk2p, k to next marker, yo, slip marker, k1, yo, k7, sk2p, k to last marker, yo, slip marker, k1, yo, ssk, k to end.
Rows 157-164: Work as for Rows 155-156.

Remove markers when working next row.
Row 165 [RS]: K to second marker, ssk, *sl last st from right needle to left needle, ssk; repeat from * to last st. Break yarn and draw through last st. Place remaining sts on st holder.

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Larger Version:
Work as for smaller version until you have completed Row 70.

Row 71 [RS]: K all sts.
Row 73 [RS]: *K to marker, yo, slip marker, k1, yo*; repeat from * to * once, **k to 2 sts before marker, k2tog, yo, slip marker, k1, yo, ssk**; repeat from ** to ** twice, k2. 45 sts.
Rows 75-114: Work as for Rows 71-74. 85 sts.

Row 115 [RS]: K all sts.
Row 117 [RS]: *K to marker, yo, slip marker, k1, yo*; repeat from * to * twice, **k to 2 sts before marker, k2tog, yo, slip marker, k1, yo, ssk**; repeat from ** to ** once, k2. 91 sts.
Rows 119-134: Work as for Rows 115-118. 115 sts.

Row 135 [RS]: K all sts.
Row 137 [RS]: *K to marker, yo, slip marker, k1, yo*; repeat from * to * three times, k to 2 sts before marker, k2tog, yo, slip marker, k1, yo, ssk, k2. 123 sts.
Rows 139-154: Work as for Rows 135-138. 155 sts.

Row 155 [RS]: K all sts.
Row 157 [RS]: *K to marker, yo, slip marker, k1, yo*; repeat from * to * four times, k to end. 165 sts.
Rows 159-174: Work as for Rows 155-158. 205 sts.

Row 175 [RS]: K to second marker, slip marker, k1, yo, k22, sk2p, k to next marker, yo, slip marker, k1, yo, k14, sk2p, k to next marker, yo, slip marker, k1, yo, k10, sk2p, k to last marker, yo, slip marker, k1, yo, ssk, k to end.
Row 177 [RS]: K to 2 sts before first marker, k2tog, yo, slip marker, k1, yo, ssk, k to 2 sts before next marker, k2tog, yo, slip marker, k1, yo, k22, sk2p, k to next marker, yo, slip marker, k1, yo, k14, sk2p, k to next marker, yo, slip marker, k1, yo, k10, sk2p, k to last marker, yo, slip marker, k1, yo, ssk, k to end.

Rows 179-182: Work as for Rows 175-178.
Rows 183-184: Work as for Rows 175-176.

Remove markers when working next row.
Row 185 [RS]: K to second marker, ssk, *sl last st from right needle to left needle, ssk; repeat from * to last st. Break yarn and draw through last st. Place remaining sts on st holder.

LEFT WING

Smaller Version:
Work as for right wing until you have completed Row 74.

Row 75 [RS]: K all sts.
Row 77 [RS]: *K to 2 sts before marker, k2tog, yo, slip marker, k1, yo, ssk*; repeat from * to * three times, k to last marker, yo, slip marker, k1, yo, k to end. 43 sts.
Rows 79-94: Work as for Rows 75-78. 51 sts.

Row 95 [RS]: K all sts.
Row 97 [RS]: *K to 2 sts before marker, k2tog, yo, slip marker, k1, yo, ssk*; repeat from * to * twice, **k to next marker, yo, slip marker, k1, yo**; repeat from ** to ** once, k to end. 55 sts.
Rows 99-114: Work as for Rows 95-98. 71 sts.

Row 115 [RS]: K all sts.
Row 117 [RS]: *K to 2 sts before marker, k2tog, yo, slip marker, k1, yo, ssk*; repeat from * to * once, **k to next marker, yo, slip marker, k1, yo**; repeat from ** to ** twice, k to end. 77 sts.
Rows 119-134: Work as for Rows 115-118. 101 sts.

Row 135 [RS]: K all sts.
Row 137 [RS]: *K to marker, yo, slip marker, k1, yo*; repeat from * to * four times, k to end. 111 sts.
Rows 139-154: Work as for Rows 135-138. 151 sts.

Row 155 [RS]: K to 2 sts before marker, k2tog, yo, slip marker, k1, yo, k7, sk2p, k to next marker, yo, slip marker, k1, yo, k10, sk2p, k to next marker, yo, slip marker, k1, yo, k14, sk2p, k to next marker, yo, slip marker, k to end.
Rows 157-164: Work as for Rows 155-156.

Remove markers when working next row.
Row 165 [RS]: K1, *sl st from right needle to left needle, ssk; repeat from * to fourth marker, k to end.
Join remaining sts to held sts of right wing using three-needle bind off.

Row 71 [RS]: K all sts.
Row 73 [RS]: *K to 2 sts before marker, k2tog, yo, slip marker, k1, yo, ssk*; repeat from * to * twice, **k to marker, yo, slip marker, k1, yo**; repeat from ** to ** once, k to end. 45 sts.
Rows 75-114: Work as for Rows 71-74. 85 sts.

Row 115 [RS]: K all sts.
Row 117 [RS]: *K to 2 sts before marker, k2tog, yo, slip marker, k1, yo, ssk*; repeat from * to * once, **k to marker, yo, slip marker, k1, yo**; repeat from ** to ** twice, k to end. 91 sts.
Rows 119-134: Work as for Rows 115-118. 115 sts.

Row 135 [RS]: K all sts.
Row 137 [RS]: K to 2 sts before marker, k2tog, yo, slip marker, k1, yo, ssk, *k to marker, yo, slip marker, k1, yo*; repeat from * to * three times, k to end. 123 sts.
Rows 139-154: Work as for Rows 135-138. 155 sts.

Row 155 [RS]: K all sts.
Row 157 [RS]: *K to marker, yo, slip marker, k1, yo*; repeat from * to * four times, k to end. 165 sts.
Rows 159-174: Work as for Rows 155-158. 205 sts.

Row 175 [RS]: K to 2 sts before marker, k2tog, yo, slip marker, k1, yo, k10, sk2p, k to next marker, yo, slip marker, k1, yo, k14, sk2p, k to next marker, yo, slip marker, k1, yo, k22, sk2p, k to next marker, yo, slip marker, k to end.
Row 177 [RS]: K to 2 sts before marker, k2tog, yo, slip marker, k1, yo, k10, sk2p, k to next marker, yo, slip marker, k1, yo, k14, sk2p, k to next marker, yo, slip marker, k1, yo, k22, sk2p, k to next marker, yo, slip marker, k1, yo, ssk, k to 2 sts before last marker, k2tog, yo, slip marker, k1, yo, ssk, k to end.

Rows 179-182: Work as for Rows 175-178.
Rows 183-184: Work as for Rows 175-176.

Remove markers when working next row.
Row 185 [RS]: K1, *sl st from right needle to left needle, ssk; repeat from * to fourth marker, k to end.
Join remaining sts to held sts of right wing using three-needle bind off.

FINISHING
Weave in ends and block as desired.

Patti Waters is an independent designer living in Ontario. You can find many of her patterns for sale through Ravelry.

She manages Passionknit, an LYS in Toronto.