Betiko
mystery knit-a-long in November 2010; self-published in December 2010: $6 PDF
This is a uniquely constructed shawl (or shawlette) designed to work with any weight yarn, and to be made any size you like; not just that, but the construction makes it somewhat easy to plug different stitch patterns (like cables or simple lace) into the piece, if you're adventurous enough!
A couple more fun things about this pattern: regardless of how big you make your shawl, you'll never cast on or bind off more than a couple inches worth of stitches! There is also no seaming, no picking up stitches, and only as many ends to weave in as the 2 ends of each yarn you use (meaning no breaking of yarn is needed within the pattern).
Included are 2 versions of the pattern - one for the most basic, garter stitch edged Betiko, written as a normal pattern. The other is the more open-ended customizable version, which explains how you'd go about plugging in your own choice of stitch patterns, and also tells you how to make the wavy version, with a waving ribbed top section and a simple lace waves edging.
Any version of the pattern can be made with stripes if you choose, and any version can be made in the smaller or larger sizes pictured, or any other size, by simply working a couple of the parts until they are the size of your choosing. Diagrams and lots of notes explain how to work out the sizing and more, which is all included for ultimate customization, but don't be afraid of the length of this pattern, as the actual piece is not very hard to knit!
The stats:
Size: smaller and larger size measurements given, plus notes on how to adjust size exactly how you want it.
Yarn: any weight, yardage depends on size/gauge/etc - smaller size yardage estimates: 300-400 yards worsted, 250-350 yards bulky, 500-600 yards fingering; larger size estimates: 500-600 yards worsted, 400-500 yards bulky, 700-800 yards fingering.
Needles: size to match your yarn, for a loose-ish/drapey gauge - a long circular, ideally 60" but anything 32" or longer will work.
Techniques used: short rows (no wrapping stitches required), sideways edge cast-on (photo help included), crochet provisional cast-on (photo tutorial included), cable cast-on (how-to included), striping (if you choose to stripe), being able to read your knitting in order to plug in your own stitch patterns if you want to make a cabled version or other customized shawl (lots of notes, instructions, diagrams, etc included).
The pdf is 27 pages, with the 2 complete patterns and tons of info on customization, etc - each pattern itself is on 3 (garter stitch edged version)/6 (customizable version) photo-less (mostly) pages for printing, plus 2 printable pages on striping.
There are also 2 additional pdfs, one with just the garter stitch edged pattern, and one with just the wavy version and no customization info. These are both without striping instructions and with minimal pictures and limited info - working from these pdfs may be easier if all you want to make is a basic version of the shawl.
Print pattern holders: here is the link to the supplementary pdf file with the bits missing from the print version of the pattern.
find more details in the blog post!
and check it out on ravelry!
