Hello, my lovely fiber friend! This week, I want to share a delightful color block pattern with you called Ascendance. This striking shawl was designed by Monica Wesley, and I hope you’ll read on to learn some more!
Monica says, “Progress rarely occurs in a straight, uninterrupted line. Instead, we advance and evolve in fits and starts, our forward momentum often punctuated by plateaus of repose. We strive, and our persistence culminates in the attainment of wisdom, of greater understanding. This progression is symbolized in the Ascendance shawl with its interplay of strong horizontal and vertical textures and shapes, which interlock to form a cohesive whole.”
“Ascendance is a rectangular shawl that is knitted flat in one piece using three colors of SeaCoast Fingering yarn. You’ll use basic Intarsia techniques to join these colors together, and instructions are included for how to do this. To knit this shawl, you’ll progress through six distinct sections that feature a combination of Cartridge Stitch and Knotted Ribs Stitch. You’ll also knit a Garter Stitch border on all four sides of the shawl, and finish it with an optional fringed edge.”
Ascendance is an Intermediate level pattern. This pattern is for those who feel comfortable with knitting and have made several projects, using various skills and techniques. Skills/concepts include: increasing stitches by knitting into the front and back of a single stitch, basic Intarsia joins, working with more than one yarn at a time, and decreasing stitches by purling two stitches together.
This pattern was made with our lovely SeaCoast Fingering yarn. Our SeaCoast Fingering yarn is an ideal yarn for all seasons. It is a mix of 83% soft Pima Cotton, 12% dreamy Baby Alpaca, and 5% Polyamide.
The sample is shown in colors: Brave and Free (C1), Edge of the Sea (C2) and White Cliffs (C3).
This pattern uses 1 skein of each of the 3 colors of our SeaCoast Fingering yarn.
285 to 385 yds (261 to 352 m) of each color were used in the sample, approx. total 955 yds (873 m).
*Yardage estimates above do not include the optional fringe. You will need 15 yards (14 m) of both C2 and C3 for the optional fringe.
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- Brave and Free
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- Edge of the Sea
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- White Cliffs
We have filmed a video tutorial for you showing some Intarsia tips and tricks to help you successfully make this shawl.
Take a look:
Both written and charted instructions are included in the pattern, as well as a color schematic.
“When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive – to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love.”
–Marcus Aurelius
Download Ascendance here today!
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Talk to ya soon.
XOXOXO Chandi
What a beautiful pattern! Two questions:
(1) How would this shawl look and feel different if I used pearlescent fingering or oasis fingering yarn? Would the drape or bounce change? Would the lace become more or less pronounced? (Are there some broader principles in imaging a different yarn?)
(2) If I do not add the fringe, should I add a larger border at the end? There is something perfect about the balance of the shawl with the fringe, this is why I ask.
Thank you
So happy you like it! You could certainly make this shawl in another fingering-weight yarn, such as Pearlescent Fingering or Oasis Fingering. You’d have less texture overall, since the SeaCoast is a wavy yarn. But you’d have the same amount of drape or even more with the other two yarn bases. I imagine since the Pearlescent and Oasis are “smoother” yarns than the SeaCoast, the Knotted Ribs and Cartridge stitch would be even more pronounced and defined. If you omit the fringe, I would probably NOT increase the width of the Garter stitch border, since its width as written in the pattern is designed to match the C1 transitional sections that run throughout the rest of the shawl. You could, however, knit a couple of alternating rows of Garter stitch in colors 2 and 3 prior to the C1 Garter stitch border. That might add an element of interest and bring all three colors together. You’d want to then cast on and bind off with C2 or C3. Hope that helps!
I appreciate your instructive response, Monica, here and in other posts. I have learned so much, and you and the team are great instructors!
I tried a swatch with Pearlescent, and decided to go with the SeaCoast, which is turning out lacy and with a nice drape (maybe because of the larger needle size). I love how the little knotted ribs look all in a row with an airier lace framing them. Curious about one thing: as I have looked at this pattern and video, I wonder why Chandi has opted to show the shawl with the WS, and not show off the knotted ribs in the photos and video. On the WS, it has a puffier look, and on the RS, it has a lacy and more textured look, which is lovely.
You’re very welcome, and I’m glad you’re happy with how your Ascendance shawl is turning out. While some of the photos show the backside of the shawl, it really can be worn with either side showing, since both stitch textures look great on both the RS and WS. In the video, Chandi shows how to change colors on both the RS and WS due to the placement of the yarn differing slightly. I’m very happy that your pleased with the design.
I just love all your patterns but mostly you crocheting ones. I don’t know how to knit at all. Thank you for sharing your time and teaching us yarnies. You are a beautiful soul. Thank you 💕💕🥰 I really love all of your yarn it’s all beautiful.
You are a woman of talent…I can’t just get enough of you on your page ma’am
Thank you so much
Finished Ascendance using Seacoast Fingering in Corallium, White Cliffs and Grey Whale. Opted to not add fringe. Quite happy with the result. Took about a month – not bad, considering I must have frogged or linked back 60 or 80 rows! ( Perhaps I should watch less interesting television programs while knotting!)
Oops – autocorrect: “tinked” and “knitting”