Shawl....

Hi, Anonymous! ( I would love to know your name - you could call yourself any name you prefer, by the way - loads of bloggers use other names!)

The shawl is easy. REALLY easy, and simple for a beginner. Just cast on any number of stitches, but make sure they are in multiples of 3.

I cast on 63 stitches (because it looked about right) and used size 7 knitting needles, UK size.(Because they were the first two matching ones I found.) And I used ordinary DK wool. Because I had two 100g balls here, and I stopped when the wool came to an end. Random is my second name.

So the first row, I knitted 3 plain and 3 purl, repeating this to the end of the row. The next row, I started 3 purl, and then 3 plain 3 purl etc  to the end of the row. Then 3 plain 3 purl etc for the next row. .

Then the next row, I knitted 3 plain 3 purl, Row 5 was 3 purl three plain and row 6 3 plain 3 purl.

To simplify:

Cast on 63 stitches.
Row !: *3 plain, 3 purl* repeat to end of row.
Row 2: *3 purl, 3 plain* repeat to end of row.
Row 3: *3 plain 3 purl* repeat to end of row
Row 4: *3 plain 3 purl* repeat to end of row
Row 5: *3 purl 3 plain* repeat to end of row
Row 6: *3 plain 3 purl* repeat to end of row
Row 7: *3 plain 3 purl* repeat to end of row
Row 8: *3 purl 3 plain* repeat to end of row
Row 9: *3 plain 3 purl* repeat to end of row
Row 10: *3 plain 3 purl* repeat to end of row
Row 11: *3 purl 3 plain* repeat to end of row
Row 12: *3 plain 3 purl* repeat to end of row.......etc etc etc keep going until it is as long as you want it to be.

See the pattern? It looks like a basket weave, and after the first 3 rows, it is easy to check what you are doing. It worked just fine with 63 stitches, so maybe you could cast the same number so I can be sure you will sail along merrily.

And you don't need to do a border. You could make tassles if you want to. But borders are optional extras, and I just wanted to make one! Good luck, have fun, and let me know if you have any questions.