Tamback shawl

The quote on the left is a classic one, and has never been more true.

This shawl is pure pleasure to knit, beginning with the center which is worked like a tam, and then extending out to the sides, which are worked in the round simultaneously, separated by steeks.

Because there's no shaping, this would be a nice project for a first-time steeker, although a bit of previous stranded experience will be helpful.

Kits are available in 2 lovely colorways - the original, which has strong primary colors on a grey background, and the Lauren colorway (just above), which has softer, more muted colors on khaki. Make one of these beauties as is, or feel free to put together your own colorway.

Stats

Construction details: The shawl begin at the center back, where it is worked in the round. The six pattern reps are triangle shaped to form a hexagon. Once the center reaches its full width, the upper and lower triangles are completed by working them each flat for a few rows to create selvedges, then are bound off. The remaing two pairs of triangles continue to form the shawl's sides. For efficient knitting plus enhanced fun, the two sides are worked simultaneously, separated by steeks. Shawl ends are finished off with an inch of seed stitch. Steeks are then reinforced and cut. The side edges are worked by picking up stitches and working flat in seed stitch; these edges are then doubled over to form a hem which is tacked down to cover the steeks. Size:16" (40 cm) wide by 88" (220 cm) long.

Yarn (for original colorway: Sunday Knits 3 ply (sport weight) yarn in a variety of woolen blends and the following colors:
Graphite - 900 yds (825 m)
Stone - 210 yds (195 m)
Sage - 90 yds (80 m)
Clove - 85 yds (75 m)
Tomato - 80 yds (70 m)
Indigo - 80 yds (70 m)
Dijon - 75 yds (70 m)
Turquoise - 75 yds (70 m)
Nut - 75 yds (70 m)
Turmeric - 70 yds (65 m)
Emerald - 50 yds (45 m)
Mulberry - 45 yds (40 m)
Curry - 30 yds (25 m)

Substitute any light sport-weight woolen yarn: 1865 yds (1710 m) total. .

Needles & Notions: Sizes US 5 (3.75 mm) circular needles (circs) for main shawl and for gauge swatch; also size US 5 double-pointed needles for center, and size US 4 (3.5 mm) circs with long cable for border; 6 stitch markers.

Gauge: 26 sts and 32 rows = 4" stranded in Stockinette stitch.

Techniques used: Stranded knitting, steeks, reading charts, pick up and knit, Emily Ocker's cast-on (with linked tutorial).

Pattern includes: Written instructions and color-coded charts, glossary with links to resources.

Knit Tamback shawl

© Sunday Knits 2021. All rights reserved. Design and photos by Carol Sunday.