The garter tab cast on is a great beginning for shawls and provides stability to the edges. It can look a little intimidating at first but once you learn the basics, you can create garter tabs of any stitch count. Here is a photo tutorial of the gart tab cast on for the Knit Below Shawl. You can also watch the quick video tutorial on YouTube.
Hometown Shawl
My newest pattern, to be released August 22nd, also uses a garter tab cast on. So now's a great time to learn and be confident with this skill. The Hometown Shawl will be released during the Texas Yarn Trail happening in the greater Houston area this month. It's always the most exciting time of the year and I'm excited to introduce my fifth pattern for the Yarn Trail. Here's a look at the previous four patterns I've designed for this event.
On the Trail Shawl. - https://www.industrialwhimsy.net/product-page/on-the-trail-shawl-knitting-pattern
Road Trip Shawl - https://www.industrialwhimsy.net/product-page/road-trip-shawl-pattern-digital-download
Diamond Path Shawl - https://www.industrialwhimsy.net/product-page/diamond-path-shawl-knitting-pattern-digital-download
Trail Mix Shawl - https://www.industrialwhimsy.net/product-page/trail-mix-wrap-knitting-pattern-digital-file
Garter Tab Cast On Instructions
(you can use double pointed needles, circular or straight needles to begin. I use the circular needles that the pattern requires but you can practice with any kind.)
*cast on 5 stitches
*Knit 10 rows
*Knit row (do not turn your work), pick up and knit 5 across side of work, pick up and knit 5 across cast on edge.
Here's what it will look like when you've picked up all your stitches. In this example, you will have 15 stitches on your needle.
That's it! Now you are ready to begin your shawl. How it works is that you will then mark the stitches using stitch markers that will eventually become the right edge, middle, and left edge of your shawl. The entire shawl grows from this beginning. The garter tab ends up as the back neck of the Knit Below Shawl.
It seamlessly allows you to create a garter stitch edging.
I hope you'll give this technique a try and plan on making the Knit Below Shawl or Hometown Shawl with me! Here's a sneak peek of the Hometown Shawl releasing August 22nd.
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