Introducing the Garter Tab Cast on Method

I’ll never forget the first time I stumbled upon the garter tab cast on in a shawl pattern. It was like watching magic happen – starting from just a few stitches and seeing it bloom into this gorgeous piece of fabric I could drape over my shoulders. Seriously, it blew my mind and was a huge game changer for my shawl knitting skills!

I know that new techniques can be intimidating, especially for new knitters. The great thing about this cast on method for beginning a shawl is that you start with a very small number of  stitches, so its really no big deal if you mess up and have to start over. You can practice to your heart’s content until you completely understand how it works. 

Construction – Begging with the Garter Tab Cast On

This shawl begins with a garter tab, which is the go-to cast on method for top down shawls that have a garter stitch edging. The photo below shows the beginning of a shawl constructed with a garter tab cast on (the area inside the square is the garter tab, which is just 6 rows where all of the stitches are knit).

Once the tab is created, the shawl can be knit from the top down as two side by side right angle triangles and the edges of the triangles blend seamlessly with the beginning garter stitch tab. The first photo below shows the direction that the triangles grow with each row completed, and the second photo points to how the edges of each row blend with the garter tab.

The Garter Tab Cast on in Four Easy Steps

Follow the steps below to complete your first garter tab cast on. I filmed a quick video tutorial on the garter tab cast on and shared it to the Leelee Knits YouTube Channel at the following link: Garter Tab Cast On Video Tutorial to help you out (you can also find the tutorial below on this page with the free pattern for the Daydreamer shawl).

1. Cast on 3 stitches.
2. Work 6 rows in garter stitch (knit all stitches for each row).
3. Turn your work 90 degrees and pick up and knit 3 stitches along the side (6 stitches total).
4. Turn your work 90 degrees again and pick up and knit 3 stitches along the cast on edge (9 stitches total).

That’s it! After step 4, you can begin knitting your Daydreamer Shawl.

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Free Knitting Pattern

What You’ll Need:

To make this shawl, you will need the following materials:

• 2.25 skeins (Approx. 550 yards) Knit Picks Simply Alpaca Aran Weight Yarn; Colour: Alaina.
• US size 8 (5.0 mm) circular knitting needles (min 32” cord).
• 2 stitch markers.
• Scissors.
• Tapestry/yarn needle (for weaving in ends).

Notes:

This triangle shawl is worked from the top down as two growing right angle triangles separated by a centre spine of one stitch.

Garter Tab Cast on Video Tutorial:

This Shawl begins with a 9 stitch garter tab. I have made a short video on how to create a garter tab, which can be viewed below.

Daydreamer Shawl Pattern:

Work a 9 stitch garter tab (see video tutorial above for help), then begin at Row 1.

Row 1 (RS): K3, m1l, k1, m1r, pm, k1, pm, m1l, k1, m1r, k3 (13 sts).

Row 2: K3, p to last 3 sts, k3.

Row 3: K3, m1l, k to marker, m1r, sm, k1, sm, m1l, k to last 3 sts, m1r, k3 (sts inc = 4).

Row 4: K3, p to last 3 sts, k3.

Rows 5-32: Repeat rows 3 and 4. Count 73 sts total at the end of row 32.

Row 33: K3, m1l, (k1, yo, k2tog) to marker, m1r, sm, k1, sm, m1l, (k1, yo, k2tog) to last 3 sts, m1r, k3.

Row 34: Repeat row 4.

Row 94: Repeat row 4.

Rows 95-128 Repeat rows 3 and 4. Count 265 sts total at the end of row 128.

Row 129: Repeat row 33.

Row 130: Repeat row 4.

Rows 131-134: Repeat rows 3 and 4.

Row 135: Repeat row 33.

Row 136: Repeat row 4.

Rows 137: Repeat row 3. Count 285 sts total at the end of row 137.

Bind-off with your favourite stretchy bind-off method. Weave in all loose ends, and wet/steam block to measurements.