Four color version

Garter stitch: A
Stripes: B, C
Rib: B
Tiles: D
Rib: C
Garter: B (first 2 rows), A
Rib: B
Tiles: C
Border stripes: A, B
Garter: D
I-cord: C

The inspiration for this order comes from the gorgeous version made by Nay88.

Colors

A: Medieval
B: Wintry mix
C: High cotton
D: Morticia

I was worried the Medieval and Morticia might bleed, so I soaked the ties separarely in water for a half hour to test their colorfastness. The water remained clear so there should be no bleeding when I block.

Mods and tips

Increase modification

Use m1L and m1R for increases. The first increase is left leaning, the one before the center stitch is right leaning, the one after the center stitch is left leaning, and then end each right side row with a right leaning stitch. I use the mnemonic “lf-rb” to remember where to pick up the leg (left front, right back).

Tips for twisted rib sections

Note that when you start the twisted rib, follow the pattern carefully! I did not and had to rip out two rows (which was quite simple, since primo worsted is a very springy yarn and it holds its shape really well). So for example, you may start a row with a knit stitch after the first increase, but following the increase after the center stitch you will begin with a purl. This makes the ribbing symmetrical from the center.

Also, don’t pull the first or last stitch too tightly. This causes puckering on the top of the shawl, especially in the ribbing sections. It should block out, but knitting those stitches loosely helps keep the edge elastic.

Final garter swath

I wanted the shawl to be quite large, so I knit the last big swath of garter in color D until I was out. It took about 7g per ridge, and I knit 8 total ridges (16 total rows). As a note, the Morticia (color D) is much fuzzier than the rest of the colors, and has very poor stitch definition. I would make sure to use a yarn that has great stitch definition for color D, as the tiles stitch really needs good definition.

I-cord bind off

I toyed with the idea of doing two color brioche or 2x2 ribbing for the last section, but stuck with a swath of garter instead and knit with color D until I ran out (8 garter ridges). I used an i-cord bind off (good instructions on the i-cord bind off method here) in contrast color C.

Weights

Stitch: Weight used (Weight remaining)

Garter: A 7g (94 A remaining)
Stripe: B 1g (102g B)
Stripe: C 2g (101g C)
Rib: B 12g (90g B)
Tiles: D 36g (65g D)
Rib: C 21g (73g C)
Stripe (added): B 4g (86g B)
Garter: A 76g (18g A)
Rib: B 37g (48g B)
Tiles: C 48g (25g C)
Stripe: A 7g (11g A)
Stripe: B 8g (40g B)
Garter: D 56g (6g D)
Icord bindoff: C 12g (13g C)

Total ending weights:
A - 11g
B - 40g
C - 13g
D - 6g

Notes and thanks

I purchased this yarn from barbaramh off destash. I really am in need of a warm neutral shawl, especially since the air conditioning is on blast in the summer everywhere! Primo worsted is every bit as lovely as primo fingering: it’s soft with a great springiness.

I called this “Relevance” because I am writing a large manuscript about relevance right now, and it’s on my mind nearly all of the time. A big, neutral shawl is always relevant for any outfit or occasion!