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Sixth Degree Shawl

May 9, 2016 19 Comments

Meet the Sixth Degree Shawl. Cast on this gorgeous, free pattern designed with American made, ethically-sourced yarn!

In case this isn’t incredibly obvious by now, I love knitting shawls. I’m obsessed with playing with the geometry possibilities, the outfit possibilities, and the chance to show off some beautiful yarn on the canvas that is a big, flat piece of knitting. This new shawl pattern began as a wee experiment with making a shawl featuring increases along one side of the work every few rows, which forms a right triangle. I love the fact that the yarn over increases are hidden in this piece’s chain edge, and I love that its wide, diagonal ribs are formed by simply alternating groups of 6 knit and purl stitches, hence the name Sixth Degree Shawl. I hope you enjoy knitting this as much as I did!

Meet the Sixth Degree Shawl. Cast on this gorgeous, free pattern designed with American made, ethically-sourced yarn!

This is knit with exactly two skeins of Cestari Monticello yarn, a 75% cotton / 25% flax blend that’s great for warm weather knitting. I got this yarn from Yarnthology, a site specializing in eco-friendly, ethically sourced, cruelty free, and/or American made yarns. (I’ll have more on Yarnthology, including a giveaway, later this week!)

The shallow slope of the Sixth Degree Shawl’s increases make for a super wearable shawl. The short leg is long enough to reach past the hips, covering the torso when worn as a wrap. The pointy end, so to speak, hangs in place nicely when you wear it. I can’t wait to cuddle up with this shawl all summer in hyper air conditioned spaces and stash it in my bag when venturing out into hot temps!

Sixth Degree Shawl - a free pattern by knitting designer Heidi Gustad

The Sixth Degree Shawl by Heidi Gustad is a free pattern designed with American made, ethically-sourced yarn!

Sixth Degree Shawl – the free pattern

Finished dimensions: 27.5 inches wide by 72 inches long

Gauge: 16 sts x 32 rows over 4″ in stockinette stitch on US 7 needles after wet blocking

Supplies

US size 7 circular needles with 32 inch cords
2 skeins (approx. 500 yds)  Cestari Monticello in Partridge Blue – 75% cotton/25% flax, comes in 100g, 250 yd skeins
stitch markers (optional but recommended)
scissors
blocking supplies

Abbreviations 

CO – cast on
sts – stitches
k – knit
yo – yarn over
pm – place marker
m – marker
p – purl
sl – slip
rpt – repeat
wyif – with yarn in front
tbl – through the back loop
BO – bind off
RS  – right side
WS – wrong side
(X sts) – X is the number of sts that are now in the row

Sixth Degree Shawl - a free pattern by knitting designer Heidi Gustad

Pattern

As you work on this shawl, place and slip markers as you prefer to keep track of k and p sections.

Set up section
CO 3 sts.
1-3. sl 1 wyif, k1, k1 tbl.
4. (RS) sl 1 wyif, yo, k to last st, k1 tbl.
5-7. sl 1 wyif, k to last st, k1 tbl.

Repeat rows 4-7 until there are 12 sts.

Body of shawl – adding first stockinette stripe
8.
 (RS) sl 1 wyif, yo, k to last st, k1 tbl (13 sts).
9. (WS) sl 1 wyif, k5, p1, k to last st, k1 tbl.
10. (RS) sl 1 wyif, k to last st, k1 tbl.
11. rpt 9.

12. (RS) sl 1 wyif, yo, k to last st, k1 tbl (14 sts).
13. (WS) sl 1 wyif, k5, p2, k to last st, k1 tbl.
14. (RS) sl 1 wyif, k to last st, k1 tbl.
15. rpt 13.

16. (RS) sl 1 wyif, yo, k to last st, k1 tbl (15 sts).
17. (WS) sl 1 wyif, k5, p3, k to last st, k1 tbl.
18. (RS) sl 1 wyif, k to last st, k1 tbl.
19. rpt 17.

20. (RS) sl 1 wyif, yo, k to last st, k1 tbl (16 sts).
21. (WS) sl 1 wyif, k5, p4, k to last st, k1 tbl.
22. (RS) sl 1 wyif, k to last st, k1 tbl.
23. rpt 21.

24. (RS) sl 1 wyif, yo, k to last st, k1 tbl (17 sts).
25. (WS) sl 1 wyif, k5, p5, k to last st, k1 tbl.
26. (RS) sl 1 wyif, k to last st, k1 tbl.
27. rpt 25.

28. (RS) sl 1 wyif, yo, k to last st, k1 tbl (18 sts).
29. (WS) sl 1 wyif, k5, p6, k to last st, k1 tbl.
30. (RS) sl 1 wyif, k to last st, k1 tbl.
31. rpt 29.

Body of shawl – adding garter stripe
32.
 (RS) sl 1 wyif, yo, k to last st, k1 tbl (19 sts).
33. (WS) sl 1 wyif, k5, k1, p6, k to last st, k1 tbl.
34. (RS) sl 1 wyif, k to last st, k1 tbl.
35. rpt 33.

36. (RS) sl 1 wyif, yo, k to last st, k1 tbl (20 sts).
37. (WS) sl 1 wyif, k5, k2, p6, k to last st, k1 tbl.
38. (RS) sl 1 wyif, k to last st, k1 tbl.
39. rpt 37.

40. (RS) sl 1 wyif, yo, k to last st, k1 tbl (21 sts).
41. (WS) sl 1 wyif, k5, k3, p6, k to last st, k1 tbl.
42. (RS) sl 1 wyif, k to last st, k1 tbl.
43. rpt 41.

44. (RS) sl 1 wyif, yo, k to last st, k1 tbl (22 sts).
45. (WS) sl 1 wyif, k5, k4, p6, k to last st, k1 tbl.
46. (RS) sl 1 wyif, k to last st, k1 tbl.
47. rpt 45.

48. (RS) sl 1 wyif, yo, k to last st, k1 tbl (23 sts).
49. (WS) sl 1 wyif, k5, k5, p6, k to last st, k1 tbl.
50. (RS) sl 1 wyif, k to last st, k1 tbl.
51. rpt 49.

52. (RS) sl 1 wyif, yo, k to last st, k1 tbl (24 sts).
53. (WS) sl 1 wyif, k5, k6, p6, k to last st, k1 tbl.
54. (RS) sl 1 wyif, k to last st, k1 tbl.
55. rpt 53.

Body of shawl – adding subsequent stockinette stripes
56.
 (RS) sl 1 wyif, yo, k to last st, k1 tbl (25 sts for first stockinette stripe).
57. (WS) sl 1 wyif, k5, p1, (k6, p6) to last 6 sts, k5, k1 tbl.
58. (RS) sl 1 wyif, k to last st, k1 tbl.
59. rpt 57.

60. (RS) sl 1 wyif, yo, k to last st, k1 tbl (26 sts for first stockinette stripe).
61. (WS) sl 1 wyif, k5, p2, (k6, p6) to last 6 sts, k5, k1 tbl.
62. (RS) sl 1 wyif, k to last st, k1 tbl.
63. rpt 61.

64. (RS) sl 1 wyif, yo, k to last st, k1 tbl (27 sts for first stockinette stripe).
65. (WS) sl 1 wyif, k5, p3, (k6, p6) to last 6 sts, k5, k1 tbl.
66. (RS) sl 1 wyif, k to last st, k1 tbl.
67. rpt 65.

68. (RS) sl 1 wyif, yo, k to last st, k1 tbl (28 sts for first stockinette stripe).
69. (WS) sl 1 wyif, k5, p4, (k6, p6) to last 6 sts, k5, k1 tbl.
70. (RS) sl 1 wyif, k to last st, k1 tbl.
71. rpt 69.

72. (RS) sl 1 wyif, yo, k to last st, k1 tbl (29 sts for first stockinette stripe).
73. (WS) sl 1 wyif, k5, p5, (k6, p6) to last 6 sts, k5, k1 tbl.
74. (RS) sl 1 wyif, k to last st, k1 tbl.
75. rpt 73.

76. (RS) sl 1 wyif, yo, k to last st, k1 tbl (30 sts for first stockinette stripe).
77. (WS) sl 1 wyif, k5, p6, (k6, p6) to last 6 sts, k5, k1 tbl.
78. (RS) sl 1 wyif, k to last st, k1 tbl.
79. rpt 77.

Body of shawl – adding subsequent garter stripes
80.
 (RS) sl 1 wyif, yo, k to last st, k1 tbl (31 sts for first garter stripe).
81. (WS) sl 1 wyif, k5, k1, (p6, k6) to last 12 sts, p6, k5, k1 tbl.
82. (RS) sl 1 wyif, k to last st, k1 tbl.
83. rpt 81.

84. (RS) sl 1 wyif, yo, k to last st, k1 tbl (32 sts for first garter stripe).
85. (WS) sl 1 wyif, k5, k2, (p6, k6) to last 12 sts, p6, k5, k1 tbl.
86. (RS) sl 1 wyif, k to last st, k1 tbl.
87. rpt 85.

88. (RS) sl 1 wyif, yo, k to last st, k1 tbl (33 sts for first garter stripe).
89. (WS) sl 1 wyif, k5, k3, (p6, k6) to last 12 sts, p6, k5, k1 tbl.
90. (RS) sl 1 wyif, k to last st, k1 tbl.
91. rpt 89.

92. (RS) sl 1 wyif, yo, k to last st, k1 tbl (34 sts for first garter stripe).
93. (WS) sl 1 wyif, k5, k4, (p6, k6) to last 12 sts, p6, k5, k1 tbl.
94. (RS) sl 1 wyif, k to last st, k1 tbl.
95. rpt 93.

96. (RS) sl 1 wyif, yo, k to last st, k1 tbl (35 sts for first garter stripe).
97. (WS) sl 1 wyif, k5, k5, (p6, k6) to last 12 sts, p6, k5, k1 tbl.
98. (RS) sl 1 wyif, k to last st, k1 tbl.
99. rpt 97.

100. (RS) sl 1 wyif, yo, k to last st, k1 tbl (36 sts for first garter stripe).
101. (WS) sl 1 wyif, k5, k6, (p6, k6) to last 12 sts, p6, k5, k1 tbl.
102. (RS) sl 1 wyif, k to last st, k1 tbl.
103. rpt 101.

Repeat adding subsequent stockinette and subsequent garter stripe sections (rows 56-103) until there are 8 stockinette stripes or until you are nearly through your second skein of yarn.

Finishing

End by knitting across 6 rows (both right and wrong sides), binding off (BO) last WS row. Weave in all ends and block to finish.

The Sixth Degree Shawl by Heidi Gustad is a free pattern designed with American made, ethically-sourced yarn!

The yarn used for this pattern was provided by Yarnthology. Tune in Wednesday, May 11 for a review & giveaway of their service and the yarn used to make this shawl!  

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Filed Under: Free Patterns, Giveaways, Reviews & Sponsored, Knitting, Knitting & Crochet Tagged With: cestari, cestari monticello, eco friendly yarn, free pattern, knitting pattern, shawl, shawl pattern, sixth degree shawl, vegan yarn, yarnthology

About Heidi

Heidi Gustad is a craft book author, designer & creator specializing in yarn crafts like knitting, crochet, latch hook & macramé. Her first book, Latch Hook: 12 Projects for the Modern Maker, is out now.

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Comments

  1. Kristie

    May 9, 2016 at 11:05 am

    Thank you for the pattern…it’s lovely.

    Reply
  2. Tricia

    May 9, 2016 at 5:06 pm

    Thank you so much for this wonderful pattern, Heidi.

    Reply
  3. Val

    May 9, 2016 at 8:03 pm

    How do I print the pattern without all the advertisements and photos? Val

    Reply
    • Heidi

      May 10, 2016 at 7:10 am

      Copy and paste the blue pattern section into a word processor before printing. If you want to also copy and paste the pattern abbreviations section, I recommend copying and pasting that first above the blue pattern section. Unlike recipe bloggers, there aren’t nice plugins yet that accommodate image free knitting pattern printing, so this is the best solution for now. But I’m working on it! :)

      Happy knitting!

      Reply
  4. Ellisen

    May 10, 2016 at 5:38 pm

    Lovely shawl. Thank you for sharing it with us.

    Reply
  5. Sandra turner

    May 11, 2016 at 4:59 pm

    At the Black Mountain Yarn Shop and loving your free pattern!

    Reply
  6. Valeria

    May 12, 2016 at 1:49 am

    Bello Heidi,
    Thank you for this lovely patter!
    Could you please explain to me what tbl means?
    When you tbl in the last stich, does it mean that you knit twice the same stich( into the front loop first and back loop afterwords), or does it mean that you knit the stich just once into the back loop?
    Thank you for your answer.

    Valeria( Italian, living in France)

    Reply
    • Heidi

      May 13, 2016 at 8:06 am

      It means through the back loop. Here’s a good tutorial: http://newstitchaday.com/k-tbl-knit-through-back-loop/ :)

      Reply
  7. Jo

    May 13, 2016 at 11:21 pm

    Hi Heidi,
    Thanks very much for this lovely pattern. Does it lie flat or curl up?

    Reply
    • Heidi

      May 14, 2016 at 12:01 am

      There’s a subtle curl to the pointy end, but it lies pretty flat overall.

      Reply
  8. Tracey

    June 3, 2016 at 3:54 am

    Completely obsessed by this pattern at the moment it goes everywhere with me….love it!

    Reply
  9. Karen Strachan

    October 30, 2016 at 12:21 pm

    Very pretty. This pattern works well for my senior care residents.

    Reply
  10. mae zip

    August 13, 2017 at 1:18 pm

    I cannot print this pattern – I have no problem with other patterns. really want to knit this. would appreciate
    it being sent to me. thank you very much – mae

    Reply
  11. Linda

    March 7, 2018 at 1:55 pm

    I love this pattern. Could you please,please send me stitch instructions for a rectangular shape as our church prefers this shape and I have been looking for so long to find a beautiful stitch pattern and yours is the one I love. Bless you!

    Reply
    • Heidi

      March 8, 2018 at 5:35 pm

      Hi Linda!

      All you need to do is cast on a multiple of 12 sts + 6 and do the following:
      WS rows: (k6, p6) k6.
      RS does: k across.

      Enjoy!
      Heidi

      Reply
  12. Helen

    July 14, 2018 at 8:30 am

    Thank you so very much for the free pattern. I was in the middle of admiring you modeling your shawl as I scrolled down to find the pattern free … Jumping with excitement.

    again, thank you

    Reply
  13. Jenn

    February 1, 2021 at 4:42 pm

    Hi Heidi. LOVE this pattern! Im using a rustic hand spun alpaca on a size 3 needle. How can I make this shawl bigger ?
    Thank you so much!
    Best,
    Jenn

    Reply
  14. Jenn

    February 2, 2021 at 5:53 pm

    Please disregard my previous question I realized that when I printed the pattern it left out the last page. I see that I can make the shawl bigger by repeating rose 56 through 103 apparently as many times as I would like until it’s the right size! ❤️ I love this pattern thank you so much!
    Best,
    Jenn

    Reply
    • Heidi

      February 3, 2021 at 9:41 am

      No worries! I love this kind of meditative project – let me know when you finish. I always love seeing finished knits. :) -Heidi

      Reply

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Heidi Gustad from Hands Occupied / Craft Book Author and Knitting, Crochet, Latch Hook and Macrame Designer

Hi! I’m Heidi (she/her/hers), a craft book author & pattern designer specializing in knitting, crochet, latch hook & macrame. Really anything with yarn! ❤️  My work combines vintage and modern design elements, featuring bold colors and graphic motifs.

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Nobody panic. This is just the back of an (admitte Nobody panic. This is just the back of an (admittedly insane) intarsia project. One day, this will be a seamed sweater, but today is not that day. 🧶 
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Have a good weekend, everyone! 
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Yarn: @universal_yarn’s Fibra Natura Cobblestone in Antarctica & Dragon’s Breath 
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#handsoccupied #intarsia #intarsiaknitting #wip #knitting
Here’s how to work a Norwegian purl stitch for e Here’s how to work a Norwegian purl stitch for easier continental style knitting. With this purling method, the working yarn says tensioned (held) at the back of your knitting at all times. For many knitters, always holding the yarn at the back helps with tension issues, as well as feeling a little more comfortable. 
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Have you ever encountered this style of purling before? If you’ve tried it, have you found it helps with your purl tension and knitting speed? I’m curious.
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For a written tutorial, visit handsoccupied-dot-com. For video, you guessed it, You2be. Both of these platforms allow for longer, more in-depth versions of this tutorial, including full transcripts, alt text & the ability to pause, slow down or speed up at will. (Like if you really want to learn this, I recommend using a platform that doesn’t keep your hands occupied. Thinking of putting this in all my captions these days tbh - shout out to you if you made it this far. 🙌🏻😂)
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Have you ever tried this style of purl? . All thi Have you ever tried this style of purl? 
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All this recent talk about throwing vs. continental style knitting made it clear many people struggle with purling in continental knitting. Turns out that Norway may have the answer! In Norwegian purling, the working yarn stays tensioned at the back at all times, helping with speed and tension. 🤯
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Head to the bl0g (🔗 in bi0) for a more in-depth look at how to work a Norwegian purl stitch, including a photo tutorial with animated GIF & a video tutorial. Wrapping your mind around how to work a stitch you’re familiar with in a totally new way can be confusing, so I tried to give a few options for clarity. 🤙🏻 Video is also on You2be. 
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#handsoccupied #norwegianpurl #norwegianknitting #norwegianpurling #continentalknitting #howtoknit #learntoknit #knitterofinstagram #knitters
It’s been a hot second since I showed my face or It’s been a hot second since I showed my face or reintroduced myself, so here goes! I’m Heidi Gustad, a craft book author, pattern designer, and tutorial creator who specializes in yarn crafts. Lately, I’ve been focused on releasing quality knitting videos and related blog posts to help teach things like the difference between provisional cast ons and how to fix common knitting mistakes. Next week I’m shooting requested crochet and latch hook videos, so h👀kers, your time is coming! And if you ever have tutorial requests, please let me know. ☺️
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TLDR: I’m Heidi. I design & teach yarn crafts. You can find tutorials on my blog (est. 2010) & You2be. I also have several knitting & crochet patterns + a book about latch hook available. / All of these can be found on my website, the 🔗 is where you’d think. 
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Are you a picker or a thrower? Do you knit Contine Are you a picker or a thrower? Do you knit Continental or English Style? Here’s a quick overview of the differences between the two most common knitting styles, including a side by side comparison. (A good one to save for future reference. 👍🏻) 
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There’s more on the differences between picking and throwing in my latest blog post & You 2ube video - the l1nk is where you’d think!
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