Swatching is very important in this project. It’s the process that is going to allow you to use any weight of yarn, any size needle, any gauge that gives you a fabric you are pleased with.

For the most dramatic look, choose contrast! You can knit with 2 different parts of the same ball of self-striping yarn. You can use 2 different colorways of the same self-striping yarn. Another option is one solid yarn and one self-striping yarn. Or 2 contrasting solids. You might even want to do a stash-busting version, alternating lights and darks along the way. So many choices! Find some yarns you like, knit the swatch, do the math, and you’re ready to get started.

This stitch pattern can be knit lengthwise to make a scarf, or by knitting more rows, you will get a shawl.

You can also use less repeats, and knit the pattern across the width of a scarf or shawl. It’s all in the math. Several versions are shown in this pattern.