Through the Grapevine

If you google “who sang I Heard it through the Grapevine” you’ll get a list of artists who sang the song over the years, a number of which I remember well. Artists such as Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross, Gladys Knight, even Smokey Robinson, and James Brown, all sang the song long before the California Raisins did their little dance. But for me, the definitive version of this song will always be the one sung by Marvin Gaye back in 1968. Well, maybe the version sung by Credence Clearwater Revival the same year. No, wait… 

Knitting begins with a cast on of just three little stitches. A series of increases and decreases along the edges make this shawl into a shape called a right trapezoid (square on one end, and pointed on the other). All the while super-easy lace rows are alternated with plain old garter stitch, and with stripes where the colors meet. More stripes are worked down near the end before a bit more easy lace, and you’re done, all that’s needed is to bind off, and weave in a few ends. I’ve provided the math for two sizes that take the same amount of yarn, the first is longer but narrower, and the second is shorter but wider.

• Yarn: fingering weight, 400 yards each of C1, C2, and C3 for a total of 1200 yards for either size.
• Model: Baah! Yarn La Jolla in September ‘17 (C1), Grape to Meet You (C2), and August ‘17 (C3) in first size; 400 yards in 115 grams; 100% superwash Merino.
• Gauge: as measured over 4 inches (10 cm) while knitting: 19 sts; after blocking: 16 sts.
• Needles: US 5 (3.75 mm) for gauge.
• Finished sizes: (height x top/bottom) inches: 20.75 x 70/90.75 [25 x 53.25/78.25].
• Stitch instructions: Charted and written.