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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 (she/her) is a craft book author & designer specializing in yarn crafts. Her work combines vintage and modern design elements, prioritizing color and graphic motifs. 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), and I’ve been helping yarn crafters untangle various techniques on the internet since 2010. I got my start here, as a blogger, and since then I’ve shared more than a few tutorials here and on YouTube as I’ve grown as a pattern designer. 🧶 

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Heidi Gustad 🧶 knitting & yarn crafts

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Knitting & yarn crafts designer 🧶
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Stay up-to-date 💌 & shop new patterns ⤵️

POV: Showing you how my new Bevelled Tank pattern POV: Showing you how my new Bevelled Tank pattern fits with no ease vs. 4” of positive ease. There’s a bit more length to the cotton (brighter color) sample, but both are cropped and feature shoulder seams designed to sit an inch back onto the shoulder instead of on top, giving it a little swing. Length is easily adjustable for folks looking for less of a crop. 
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Pattern: Bevelled Tank by @handsoccupied for @pompommag x @hobbii_yarn summer 2024. Available for free from Hobbii at the 🔗 in my profile.
Yarn pictured: @kelbournewoolens Skipper and Camper. 
Dress form is adjusted to a 36” chest and ~5’3”ish in height. 
Human has a 40” chest and is 5’5”.
Both skirts are vintage.
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#pompomxhobbiisummer2024 #handsoccupied #intarsia #handmade #knitting #colorwork
Let’s talk about fit and ease! . During the Beve Let’s talk about fit and ease!
.
During the Bevelled Tank design process for @pompommag, I knit 2 samples using 2 different @KelbourneWoolens yarns. One was in Skipper (100% cotton, second photo) and the other was in Camper (100% 2 ply wool). The Skipper sample was knit for a 36” bust, which measures in at 40” with 4” of positive ease. And I knit the Camper Sample for my 40” bust with a 44” finished measurement. (BTW, I’m 5’5” for folks that find that measurement helpful in visualizing fit.)
.
Based on the size chart for the Bevelled Tank, that means I knit one size 3 sample and one size 4. As designed, I conveniently fit a size 4 as intended with 4” of positive ease. When I wear the 3, there is no ease at all because the garment and my body are both 40” in size. Comparing the 2 garments, you can see how the fiber content (cotton vs. wool) and fit (no ease vs. 4” of positive ease) makes a difference in the look and feel of the finished garment. 
.
These samples are a great way to compare what ease looks like on different bodies. While I can fit both a size 3 and 4, the garment with no ease feels more like pajamas or a bralette when I wear it. On the other hand, when I wear the one with 4” of positive ease, I feel comfortable enough to wear it to work, even as a crop top. Plus, it leaves me with enough room to layer it with a nice button down if I’m not feeling the cropped look one day. 
.
I’m curious - how would you style this tank? Would you modify it with a few stockinette rows for added length? I’m so curious now that this pattern is finally out in the world. :) 
.
#pompomxhobbiisummer2024 #bevelledtank #handsoccupied #knitting #intarisa #handmade #kelbournewoolens #croppedsweater #summerknits
After a 6 month hiatus, I am happy to say I’m ba After a 6 month hiatus, I am happy to say I’m back with a brand new pattern in 9 sizes, and it’s FREE as part of @pompommag x @hobbii_yarn’s summer design collection! (Link is in my bio.)
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In my December newsletter, I announced that I was soliciting test knitters for a pattern that had originally been selected for the summer ’24 issue of Pom Pom Quarterly magazine. However, the magazine ceased publication after its spring ’24 issue, leaving in-progress designs unpublished. (It happens.) As a result, I’d begun the long process of editing, testing, and photographing the pattern for independent release through the Hands Occupied pattern shop and Ravelry.
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Before I was done with that process, Pom Pom Quarterly’s former editors reached out with an exciting proposal for the pattern. Post-magazine, they’ve begun to partner with yarn companies to produce high quality pattern collections. They wanted to include designs from the would-be current issue of Pom Pom Quarterly in a new collection for Hobbii yarn, including my Bevelled Tank. I worked with the same technical editors I would have for the magazine on this one, and as you can see from the photos, Pom Pom’s team did an amazing job of styling the garment to the beautiful standards they’re known for.
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You can learn more about the pattern on my blog and get the free pattern from Hobbii yarn - links to both in my profile. I’ll post sizing info in the comments for quick reference too. 🧶
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#pompomxhobbiisummer2024 #knitting #intarsia #sponsored #colorworkknitting 
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Photos: @dianascarrunz 
Model: @angel.jade_
Here’s a nice throwback for you: my take on a vi Here’s a nice throwback for you: my take on a vintage knitting pattern from 1938 called the Fernlace Pullover. A pattern so nice, I knit it twice.
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Yellow version 💛: knit with Despondent Dyes’ Vintage Vixen Sport after attending a @squidneyknits vintage knitting retreat in 2019 & learning *so much*. Paired with a self-drafted circle skirt pattern. 
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Blue version 💙: knit with @eweeweyarns Ewe So Sporty in Sky Blue. Paired with the 1940s Boardwalk Duet sewing pattern from @decades_of_style 
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Head to my stories for 🔗🔗 to the handmade wardrobe blog posts I wrote about each take on the Fernlace Pullover, working with a vintage pattern, where to find vintage patterns (including the one I used), & some thoughts on sizing. 
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Image descriptions available in alt text. 
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#handsoccupied #handmadewardrobe #fernlacepullover #vintageknitting #vintageknittingpatterns #knitting_inspiration
Frogging is a word in the knitting world that mean Frogging is a word in the knitting world that means to rip out your knitting. It’s called frogging because frogs say “ribbit,” and when you’re tearing out your knitting, you will “rip it” out, and that sounds like ribbit. No really. 🐸 Did you know this fun fact? 
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P.S. I did like this design concept, but to make the pattern more knitter friendly as well as more wearable, I am making some tweaks to the construction. Excited to share when it’s ready! 🥰🧶
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Yarn: @blueskyfibers Woolstok North in Morning Frost & Highland Fleece 
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#handsoccupied #knitting #frogging #blueskyfibers #knittersofinstagram #blueskymakers #knittingvocabulary #bsfmakers #knitdesign
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