Heere Be Dragone Shawl Tips

1] When working the horizontal stitch, K1 through the back loop in the far side of the reversed stitch that was made, then knit 1 through the front of the horizontal stitch that was slipped to the left hand needle. It's like working a cable without a cable needle.

2] When beginning the horizontal stitch in any given row, the increased stitch will count as the first symbol in your chart, with the last horizontal stitch symbol in your chart being worked as; knit horizontal stitch and next stitch together.

For example: You have a row with 15 continuous horizontal stitches. You will knit in the front and back of the first stitch. This will count as the first symbol in the chart. Work the next 13 horizontal stitches as explained. You have now knit across 14 horizontal stitch symbols of your chart. The final horizontal stitch symbol [the 15th horizontal stitch] will be worked as above, except you knit the horizontal stitch and next stitch together for the last step.

2] The floating twist [blue symbols] are worked like a cable would be. You can either twist those stitches as you come to them on your working row, or what I have found easier to do is, because those stitches need to be slipped while working the wrong side row, I slipped them onto one of those plastic safety pin like stitch markers. Then, as I worked my right side row, all I would have to do is slip a stitch [or not, depending on the chart] from my left hand needle to the right, slip the two twisted stitches held on a marker to my left hand needle, slip the first stitch back to the left hand needle and proceed. It sounds complicated, but once you wrap your head around it, you'll say, "Oh yeaaaaaaaah!" and have no problems at all.

3] The chart is tricky when you begin working the floating stitches on row 149. Pay close attention. You'll be making two floating stitches out of one using the first stitch of the previous floating stitch for one, and the second stitch of the previous floating stitches to make the other. You'll always be reading the previous right side row while working your current right side row. You need to know where those previous floating stitches were made to see which direction they will be travelling when you make the current ones.

4] The blue symbols used for the spikes on top of the dragon's head are not blue in the symbol key. Don't panic. The designer only wanted to show the spikes in a different colour on the chart. You will use the symbol given in the key that's in black and white.

5] The last two stitches of Row 267 of Chart 4A should end; yarn over, k1.

6] Pray like you've never prayed before...and if you don't pray, it doesn't hurt to take it up. Heck, make up a knitting Goddess or God to pray to. You'll be glad you did.

7] Don't shoot the messenger. [this means me] I'm trying to explain this the best way I know how...if you don't comprehend it, I'm sorry.