Small Shale is the smallest variation of the Old Shale stitch pattern, which is a traditional Shetland stitch pattern. Sets of decreases are alternated with sets of yarn over increases, creating a lovely wavy edge of both the bottom and top of the fabric. Because this patterning also contains some garter stitch, the fabric tends to lay flat. For this reason, Small Shale is very suitable for things like hems and edgings. This stitch pattern is worked in a multiple of 11 + 2 stitches. Please note that in the above picture, I’ve added 2 edge stitches in garter stitch on both sides of the swatch.
Materials used
Yarn: Paintbox Yarns Simply DK, a good value, good quality 100% acrylic yarn, here in the color Vintage Pink.
Knitting needles: This is a pair of straights that I picked up at the second-hand store when I started knitting, brand unknown.
Stitches used
- k – knit
- p – purl
- k2tog – knit 2 stitches together
- skp – slip 1, knit 1, pass the slipped stitch over the knitted stitch. Replace this decrease with a ssk, if preferred.
- yo – yarn over
Small shale instructions
Row 1 (right side): K1, *k2tog twice, (yo, k1) 3 times, yo, skp twice; rep from * to 1 st before end, k1.
Row 2: (wrong side): Purl.
Row 3: Knit.
Row 4: Knit.
Repeat rows 1-4 for pattern.
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