The Crescent Swallowtail – this has been a goal of mine for a while now. I wanted to convert the triangular shape of the beloved Swallowtail Shawl by Evelyn Clark (over 11,000 Ravelry projects!!) to the crescent shape that I now prefer for shawls.
How hard could it be? 🙂 Harder than I first thought!
The difference between a triangular shaped shawl and a crescent is the rate of the increases. A standard triangular shawl increases 4 stitches every two rows. A typical crescent increases at a rate of 6 stitches every two rows. I figured I would just use Excel to chart it all out and voilà! My math skills started out a bit sketchy, but it all worked out in the end! I also increased needle sizes along the way to enlarge the outer circumference.
I knitted up three samples to verify the accuracy of the charts. I created two different styles and two different bind offs. You can mix and match to create the look you want.
Standard Option
This option uses all the elements of the original shawl: Budding Lace to start, Lily of the Valley nupps, and standard lace edging with original bind off.
Lv2knit’s Crescent Swallowtail
Blue Crescent Swallowtail out of Hazel Knits Entice, Color Twilight
Stockinette/Picot Option
I substituted stockinette for the Budding Lace pattern and added a picot bind off. They are the same shape — I just laid them out differently for photos!!
Crescent Swallowtail in Shalimar Paulie (color: Orange is the New Black)
No hump cast on!
Picot Edging (this photo looks washed out!)
I wrote my mods up in pattern format so anyone and everyone can re-knit this shawl if they wish. I recommend that you go to my Ravelry page to always be sure you have the most up-to-date version…I already made one correction and others may follow!! I have one more on the needles and maybe more in my future…I’m loving this shawl!
Enjoy your own Swallowtail!!
PS to Janet: I did not share my spreadsheet and do not plan on it – it is kind of a mess!
PS2 — I finished my third Crescent Swallowtail! Done in Malabrigo Sock (Impressionist Sky). I did the standard version with the picot bind off (I think it’s my fave):
PS3 to Tina: I will admit to being a shameless enabler!! 🙂
What stunning variations on a theme! My fingers are twitching with desire!
Comment by Barb — April 13, 2016 @ 8:28 am
Oh. My. Goodness. I can’t even imagine how you did all of this. It is pure genius! And gorgeous besides!
Stunning!
Comment by Barb R. — April 13, 2016 @ 8:51 am
Thank you for posting your instructions for a crescent Swallowtail. I’ve wanted to make this shawl but am not terribly fond of v-shapes. I see this project on my needles before too much longer (but must finish two sweaters, a double-knit cowl, and another shawl first!).
Comment by Karen — April 13, 2016 @ 8:59 am
Thank you, Susan! I love this pattern, I know exactly which yarn I want to use, and, for once, I plan to make this beautiful shawl for myself instead of as a gift.
Comment by Camilla Trondsen — April 13, 2016 @ 11:04 am
Love this! Swallowtail has been in my queue forever, but I never got around to making it. Now I’m glad I didn’t, because I like this version, especially the stockinette variation, even more!
Comment by janna — April 13, 2016 @ 12:23 pm
Thank you for so generously sharing your expertise and providing inspiration!
Comment by BJ — April 13, 2016 @ 12:33 pm
Dear Susan… This was the first lace project I ever did back in 2006. I love it in the cresent shape and with your wonderful garter tab solution. Thank you so very much!
Comment by Ronna Shane — April 13, 2016 @ 1:12 pm
You are brilliant! It is so lovely.
Comment by Lauren — April 13, 2016 @ 1:26 pm
The swallowtail has been in my queue forever – now I am re-inspired to make this, as the crescent shape is a preferred form for me, as well. Thank you!
Comment by Amy — April 13, 2016 @ 3:56 pm
Wow – always a favorite shawl, and the crescent shape is a brilliant enhancement. Both are beautiful. Thank you!
Comment by annie — April 13, 2016 @ 5:09 pm
You are an angel. You improved on a lovely shawl. Looking forward to casting this on. Thank you.
Comment by Elizabeth SanMiguel — April 13, 2016 @ 7:37 pm
Genius! I made the swallowtail eons ago out of handspun and have worn it tied around my neck most winters. I love the crescent shaped shawl much better
than the triangles so I’m going try your adaptation.
Thanks so much!
Comment by Tobie — April 13, 2016 @ 8:59 pm
I absolutely love the crescent shawl. No fiddling, they just stay where they are supposed to be. Thank you Thank you!!
Comment by Penny — April 13, 2016 @ 9:24 pm
Do I have this yarn too or did I give it to you? 😉 ‘Cause I would like this in orange.
Comment by Sally — April 13, 2016 @ 9:39 pm
I’ve knitted Swallowtail at least 3 times (maybe4), and now will try your modifications! The crescent shape is amazing!!!
Comment by Marietta — April 13, 2016 @ 11:11 pm
The Swallowtail was my first ever shawl way back and has remained my most favorite to this day. I, too, am not overly fond of the triangular shaped shawl, but your turning the Swallowtail into a crescent shape is brilliant! Pure genius! And you are so kind for sharing. Thank you! Thank you!
Comment by Linda — April 14, 2016 @ 1:03 am
Did you share the spreadsheet as well? I’m curious to see it.
The shawl is stunning. I’ve never been tempted to knit Swallowtail until I saw your crescent version.
Comment by Janet — April 14, 2016 @ 6:00 am
Love, love this! And thanks for explaining about the rate of increases/shape of shawl. There are many of us still learning.
Comment by Mimi — April 14, 2016 @ 6:58 am
Lovely – I so admire your talent.
Comment by Pippa Jones — April 14, 2016 @ 2:19 pm
I love Swallowtail and I love crescents, so I will definitely do this. Thank you so much for sharing your adaptation. How about adding some beads in the edging? I am also crazy for beads, LOTS of beads. I just finished a Marie Fischer pattern with over 1000 beads in a coral linen/silk yarn my sister sent me. Gave it to my daughter to give as a hostess gift. She is honeymooning in Hawaii at the guest cottage of a friend’s mother for free! So we needed a great hostess gift. I’m hoping the linen/silk thread is good for the warm climate. If you love lace knitting, check out Marie Fischer’s patterns on Rav. Crazy good with 1000’s of beads and 5000 or so yo’s. Pattern called “beads and arrows” or something like that. Here it is http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/beads-and-arrows
Julie in San Diego
Comment by Julie Lanner — April 14, 2016 @ 3:19 pm
Wow! All that and a “no hump” cast-on, too. Thanks a million.
Comment by Gretchen (aka stashdragon) — April 15, 2016 @ 11:51 am
Wonderful! Thanks for such an inspirational gift of your knowledge/skill/imagination.
Comment by Ruth — April 15, 2016 @ 6:00 pm
Thanks so much for sharing this idea.
I may dive into the Swallowtail now.
Comment by LisaRR — April 15, 2016 @ 9:31 pm
You are a bad, bad person! Tempting, err, forcing me to go buy more yarns, to make this with!!! (grin) thanks for a wonderful pattern, and a really good excuse also!
Comment by Tina — April 17, 2016 @ 8:00 pm
OH. MY. GOODNESS!!! That is beautiful! I knit one Swallowtail out of a beautiful variegated yarn years ago, and still have the other half of the gigantic skein waiting for a project. This may be it. I cannot believe how much I love it! Thank you!!!
Comment by Lisle — April 20, 2016 @ 12:32 am
Like so many others that have commented, I have wanted to do the Swallowtail since it was published. Thank you so much for converting the pattern from triangular to crescent shape. There are other triangular shawls that I like, so you have inspired me to take on the challenge and rewrite the pattern using your helpful hints. I will play with Excel too! And I like the idea of adding beads, need more beads! Time to wind a skein of yarn!
Comment by Kelli Page — April 23, 2016 @ 6:28 am
This is beautiful and motivating. I bought a bunch of Fresco, sport weight yarn simply because it was on sale. The original pattern suggests either sport weight, lace or fingering yarn. Is there one weight you suggest is best? Also, I attended Yarnover yesterday and saw you wearing your turquoise sweater which is even more beautiful in person than on line. Felt like I was seeing a rock star! Enjoyed the day, too.
Comment by Suzanstew — April 24, 2016 @ 10:16 am
BRILLIANT!!!
Swallowtail was one of the first shawls I knit – I remember struggling with the nupps!
I love crescents and am looking forward to making one (or more) fabulous concoctions (with beads). Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge. You are fantabulous!
Comment by Stephanie Yun — April 26, 2016 @ 1:07 pm
Thank you so much for posting this. I started one, and am now working on the second tier of Nupps. I may do a third tier. I rather like nupps. I plan to do the picot bind off.
Thanks,
Julie in San Diego
Comment by Julie Lanner — April 26, 2016 @ 6:13 pm
Love your modifications so much! What an epic project!
Comment by Alina — April 27, 2016 @ 9:14 am
A thing of genius! Thanks so much. I’ve been thinking about extending the tails into a curve and retaining the center spine but now you’ve made it easy.
Comment by Pat Brunner — May 1, 2016 @ 3:04 am
Lovely pattern, but I have a question… are all the yarn overs double yarnovers? I have not made a crescent shape shawl and I am a bit befuddled. I am also fairly new to lace knitting. Thanks so much, Sue
Comment by Susan Hriczo — August 8, 2016 @ 9:24 am