Sheesha

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(Many thanks to Barbara for pointing out an error in the pattern and correcting it – Nov 26, 2013)
(Thanks SO much, Elizabeth, for pointing out an error in the pattern and correcting it – Feb 22, 2014)

Download PDF version here: Sheesha Pattern PDF

Link to Ravelry page

This scarf combines lace and texture in a simple, grid-like pattern. You just replace the center stitch in every little box of the grid with a yarn over. It’s a six-row repeat worked over a multiple of 4 stitches, plus 1 (not including border stitches).

You will need 350-400 yards or about a hundred grams of fingering weight yarn to get a light scarf.

(You can cast on more stitches if you want a wider scarf or stole, in which case you will need more yarn. Another possibility is to omit the garter rows at the beginning and end, and seam the ends together to make a cowl.)

IMG_7664 (800x600) IMG_7669 (800x600)
IMG_7671 (800x600) IMG_7675 (800x600)

Finished dimensions (after blocking):
9” wide, 51” long
(At 51 inches, my scarf is shorter than the ideal scarf length. You might want to work 6-7 more repeats of the 6-row pattern if you want a longer scarf.)

Yarn requirements:
About 350-400 yards or hundred grams of fingering weight yarn. The exact yardage will vary depending on your gauge and how long you knit the scarf.
(I used approximately 350-360 yards of LB 1878 by Lion Brand).

Needles:
A pair of US size 7 or 4.5 mm needles for the knitting.
Optional: A pair of US size 8 / 9 or 5 / 5.5 mm needles for casting on and binding off loosely, if required.

Gauge (In pattern stitch, after blocking):

Measured over 4 inches:  23 stitches and 25 rows
Per inch: 5.75 stitches and 6.25 rows

Stitch Pattern (worked over a multiple of 4 stitches + 1):

  • Row 1 (RS) : knit all stitches
  • Row 2 (WS) : *p1, k3, repeat from *, ending with a p1
  • Row 3 (RS) : *k1, p2tog, yo, p1, repeat from *, ending with a k1
  • Row 4 (WS) : same as row 2
  • Row 5 (RS) : knit all stitches
  • Row 6 (WS) : knit all stitches

Repeat rows 1-6 for pattern.

Scarf Pattern:

Loosely cast on 51 stitches. (I use the long-tail method and a larger needle size to cast on)

  • Rows 1-4:  Knit all stitches (garter stitch)

[From here on, you knit the first 3 and last 3 stitches of every row (maintaining a garter stitch border), and knit in pattern stitch over the center 45 stitches]

  • Row 5 (RS): Knit all stitches
  • Row 6 (WS): k3, *P1, k3, repeat from *, till you have 4 stitches remaining on the needle, p1. Knit the last 3 border stitches.
  • Row 7 (RS): k3, *k1, p2tog, YO, p1, repeat from *, till you have 4 stitches remaining on the needle. Knit the last 4 stitches
  • Row 8 (WS): Same as row 6
  • Row 9 (RS): Knit all stitches
  • Row 10 (WS): Knit all stitches
  • Repeat rows 5-10 fifty-one more times, or till scarf is desired length, ending with the last row of the pattern stitch on a wrong side row.
  • Knit the next 3 rows.
    (These 3 rows, along with the last 2 rows of the pattern stitch, which are knit rows make up the garter stitch border). 

Loosely bind off all stitches (knitwise on WS). Weave in ends.

Block to desired dimensions.

22 thoughts on “Sheesha”

  5. If I choose to make this lovely scarf wider how would I adjust the cast on? A group of how many stitches?
    Thank you for sharing. Looks like a versatile pattern. Very pretty and easy, I suspect.

    Reply

    • Hi Peggy,

      You cast on a multiple of 4 stitches plus 1, to be worked in the pattern stitch, and 6 additional stitches (3 + 3) for the left and right borders. In my version, I did eleven horizontal repeats, which worked out to 11 x 4 = 44, plus 1 = 45, plus 6 border stitches = a total of 51 stitches .

      So let’s say you want to work not 11 but 18 horizontal repeats to make it wider. You’ll cast on 18 x 4 = 72, plus 1 = 73, plus 6 border stitches = 79 stitches total.

      Hope that helps! Happy knitting 🙂

      Reply

    • Hi Denise,

      ssk, like k2tog, is a decrease method that reduces 2 stitches to one. It creates a left-leaning stitch. You slip two stitches one by one (as if to knit) from the left hand needle on to the right hand needle and then knit those two stitches together by inserting the left needle into the front of both slipped stitches on the right needle. If that sounds too confusing, here’s a great video tutorial by verypinkknits – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cg1ykku04is

      I hope that helps!

      Reply

    • Hi,

      I’m not sure why – casting on 51 stitches should work fine. Are you knitting the border stitches? It’ll work if you knit 3 border stitches, then work in the Sheesha stitch pattern till you reach the last 3 stitches on the needle, and then knit the last 3 border stitches. The stitch pattern will be worked over the center 45 stitches only – not the border stitches. For clarity, you could place a stitch-marker after the first three and before the last three stitches. If you do that, you’ll always remember to work in the Sheesha stitch pattern only between the two markers.

      Hope that helps 🙂

      Happy knitting!

      Sandhya

      Reply

  9. I am very confused about this pattern… but i really like it and want to do it…
    I CO 51… then knit 4 rows in garter
    when do i do the st pattern and when do i do the scarf pattern…?????

    Reply

    • Hi Judy,

      I’m so sorry for the late response! Do the scarf pattern throughout. I’ve provided the stitch pattern separately in case one wants to incorporate it into a different project, or make modifications. The scarf pattern is the stitch pattern plus border stitches. Just stick to the scarf pattern and you’ll be fine (ignore stitch-pattern section).

      Hope that helps!

      Happy knitting 🙂

      Reply

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