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Dizzy Dancing : An asymmetrical triangle shawl knit on the bias using two-color brioche, speckled with Woolly Bobbles created using the Assigned Pooling technique developed by Dawn Barker of Barker Wool, on both sides of the fabric.

You might be familiar with my Audacious shawl pattern? Well, this shawl utilizes yarn intended for Assigned Pooling for BOTH colors! Extensive notes are included in the pattern, as well as a link to a video tutorial, to help you learn how to work the special Assigned Pooling Woolly Bobble with Two-Color Brioche. This pattern was worked in collaboration with Dawn Barker, creator of the Assigned Pooling concept.

Yarn Notes:
Grab 2 skeins of fingering weight yarn dyed especially for Assigned Pooling in contrasting colors! This means that there will be long blocks of at least 2 colors within the skein of yarn, one background and one accent color. For my colors, I chose yarns where one of the accent colors was the same as the other background color! Feel free to choose colors with total contrasts as well. See photo included here of my yarn in skein form.

The yardage / meterage listed includes 10% overage to account for differences in gauge and tension. The beauty of this project is that you can continue in pattern until you have enough yarn for the bind off. If you do want to swatch beforehand, I recommend a small swatch or use the beginning of the shawl as your swatch.

Skill Level:
Intermediate. I do recommend having previous brioche experience before knitting this pattern.

Techniques used:
Knit, purl, yarn overs, brioche knit (brk), brioche purl (brp), brioche increases and decreases used in shawl shaping (no br4st dec), Woolly Bobble Assigned Pooling stitches in both brk and brp sts, Twisted German Cast On, Elastic Bind Off, asymmetrical vortex triangle shaping knit from side to side.

Video Tutorial: https://bit.ly/WoollyBobbles

Video Tutorial with crochet hook:
https://youtu.be/sAPAeJmycR0?si=IOQHw8qikMGldkDs

Construction Notes:
When I first saw Dawn Barker’s Assigned Pooling patterns, they took my breath away. I was so inspired!! I knew immediately that I wanted to experiment with this fascinating technique, but with brioche knitting. Dawn and I collaborated on this pattern, and I am so grateful for her expertise! This is the second design I have created using this captivating technique. My first is Audacious, which uses yarn for Assigned Pooling only for the Main Color. The name for this shawl was inspired by Joni Mitchell’s song, “Both Sides Now”, with a lyric of Dizzy Dancing.

This asymmetrical “vortex” triangle shawl is knit from side to side and flat, from cast on point to bind off edge. You will cast on very few stitches, then work Two-Color Brioche rib for the entirety of the shawl, increasing 2 stitches at the right edge every Main Side row with your Main Color, then decreasing 4 stitches every 8 rows at the left edge, creating a fun swirly vortex shaped boomerang shawl.

The interesting and engaging aspect of this shawl is in the Assigned Pooling Woolly Bobbles! This shawl pattern is meant to be worked with yarn that is specifically dyed for Assigned Pooling to be used as both your Main and Contrast Colors. Both sides of your shawl will be a flow of Two-Color Brioche with Woolly Bobbles speckled throughout, making it completely reversible! Sometimes the Bobbles from one side will peek through to the other side, this is natural and creates such an interesting look. Every single shawl will be different, and a work of art!! Think of it like painting with yarn.

This is my one of favorite shawl shapes!! I love wearing it kerchief-style, with the increase edge (the longest edge) wrapped around my neck and the bind off edge cascading down.

» One Size: 64’’ / 162.5 cm wingspan and 18’’ / 46 cm deep, measured after blocking.

» Gauge: 15 sts & 24 rows = 4’’ / 10 cm in two-color brioche rib knit flat, taken after blocking.

MATERIALS:

» Yarn: Fingering / Sock weight
845 yds / 773 m total
Main Color (MC): 408 yds / 373 m
Contrast Color (CC): 437 yds / 400 m

» Shown in: Barker Wool Solo (100% Superwash Fine Merino; 437 yds / 400 m per 100 g)
MC: 1 skein in Grace (tan / fuchsia)
CC: 1 skein in Ultraviolet (fuchsia / purple)

» Needles:
32’’ / 81 cm US 4 / 3.5 mm circular needles

Circular needles are used for brioche knitting, and to accommodate a large number of stitches. Adjust needle size as needed to obtain proper gauge.

» Tools:
Tapestry needle for weaving in ends, row counter or your preferred method of keeping track of your pattern

» Credits:
Many thanks again to Dawn from Barker Wool for her amazing yarn support and design inspiration!! Thank you to my tech editor Chaitanya Muralidhara (@beginswithac) for all her help in editing my pattern!! Also a HUGE thank you to all my Patrons and test knitters for their help in testing out this pattern!! Be sure to check out their projects for some serious color inspiration!! Big thanks to Tara (@thingwhatknits) for her video tutorial on how to work the Woolly Bobbles with a crochet hook!