A Crack In Everything

Ring the bells that still can ring

Forget your perfect offering

There is a crack, a crack in everything

That’s how the light gets in

-- Anthem lyrics and music by Leonard Cohen

A Crack In Everything is a long, shallow triangular shawl knit end to end. “Cracks” of dropped stitches run the length of the shawl, following the serrated shape of the bottom edge. Lines of eyelet lace also follow the bottom edge, and those coupled with a ribbed top edge help to mitigate the dreaded stocking stitch roll. Optional beads may be strung on the yarn, and placed so that they catch the light along the cracks formed by the dropped stitches. Note that crochet placement of beads will not work for this project; the beads must be prestrung onto the yarn.

Materials Needed:

- @615 yards lace weight yarn

- Size 3.25mm (US size 3) straight or circular needles or size needed for gauge

Optional:

- stitch markers to mark borders of shawl

- additional pairs stitch markers to mark the path of the dropped stitches

- @208 size 6.0 beads

- beading needle or similar tool to string beads onto yarn before starting

Gauge: 24 sts x 31 rows = 10cm (4”) in unblocked stocking stitch

Gauge is given for the unblocked fabric because people’s rate of blocking for shawls may be quite different.

Note that I do not consider gauge to be important for a shawl; rather, it is important to achieve a fabric with a drape you enjoy. Keep in mind, however, that a very different gauge from that called for in the pattern will change the amount of yarn needed to complete the shawl.

Pattern Instruction Format:

The pattern is entirely written; you do not need to refer to the charts to work this pattern.

The pattern is entirely charted; you do not need to refer to the written instructions to work this pattern.