BUSENKEL - the super simple shawl
Triangular shawls are my favourite. They are so versatile to wear, both as shawls draped over the shoulders, or like scarves. The variations are endless, and they all stem from the same basic formula.
Busenkel means super easy or super simple, the literal translation is 'easy as play', and this shawl really is super easy. The whole shawl can be made with 1 setup row, and then a 1 row repeat, it cannot be simpler than this! Add your own flair by using different methods of increasing, add stripes, add stitch patterns, etc.
You can use any yarn, and any needles, but I recommend making a small gauge swatch first to see that you're happy with the fabric it creates before you start on the shawl.
Note: the cast on will create a little 'dent' in the top edge, this is sewn closed when weaving in the ends and will become invisible in the finished product!
Cast on 6 sts
Setup: k2, yo, k1, place marker, yo, k3
Row 1: k2, yo, k to m, slip marker, yo, knit to end
Repeat row 1 until you reach the desired size, bind off. Here's my favourite bind off method for a stretchy garter stitch edge:
Knit 2 sts, put the stitches back on the left needle, knit 2 sts together through the back loop (1 stitch bound off). *k1, move both sts from right to left needle, k2togtbl, repeat from * until all stitches are bound off.
You can add any stitch pattern or embellishment to this pattern, instead of knitting the yarn overs 'open' as eyelets you can knit them twisted and close the hole for a more invisible increase. Or make a completely different type of increase in the place of the yo.
My sample shawl is 170 cm wingspan and 65 cm deep after blocking (not stretched). I used 4.5mm needles and 250g (449 metres) of Plymouth Yarn Mushishi
