Hitchhiker (Shawl)

After my long and involved post yesterday about how I am going to be working on Erquy, Garland and a few ‘long-term’ WIPs, you may be surprised to learn that I have cast on a Hitchhiker! Despite the contradictions, I am actually counting this as a long term project – I bought this yarn from America about a year and a half ago, intending to jump in on the Two Knit Lit Chicks gradient shawl knit along. Unfortunately, by the time the yarn actually got to me (cross-continental shipping is a pain in the backside!!) the KAL had actually finished, and I never started.

The yarn has been sitting in the stash trunk ever since, and I am thrilled to say I have finally cast it on!

There is an update to this post here.

Hitchhiker

It seems that most people I know who are seriously into Ravelry, have knit or intend to knit themselves a Hitchhiker. It’s primarily a garter stitch project, with the only other stitches being a single purl on each row, one type of increase, and casting off. I elected to do this shawl after Unravel – one of the girls we met up with there was wearing hers and it was gorgeous. I’d been admiring it from photos online, and I was sold after that.

The beginning of Hitchhiker...
The beginning of Hitchhiker…

Isn’t it interesting how a project you’ve been eye-balling for ages can be made or broken once you see it in person?

Anyway, I cast on one evening when I was feeling relaxed and ready for some easy-going mindless knitting. I very quickly realised that this was not mindless knitting. It’s only an eight row repeat pattern, but I got incredibly confused and lost my place very quickly – eventually ripping back the whole thing and actually writing out a chart to keep track.

My Hitchhiker Shawl, a work in progress.
My Hitchhiker Shawl, a work in progress.

I recommend doing this (the shawl AND writing out the chart)!

I’m now in Berlin, with plenty of down-time after work and so forth (I am at a trade show), and have brought the Hitchhiker and Garland. I hope to make good progress on both!

Much love,

Corrie xx

WIP Wednesday's with Tami's Amis

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17 Responses to Hitchhiker (Shawl)

  1. Love hitchhiker’s shawls and the colour of your yarn is completely my taste! Good luck with knitting yours!

  2. Cloudberry says:

    I love the Hitchhiker shawl and have made two and I know i will make some more ;)
    Love the bright colours you knit it in!

  3. Alicia says:

    Nice! I knit the Lintilla shawl by the same designer and really enjoyed it. Her Magrathea shawl is in my queue, too.

  4. The colour of your yarn is amazing!

    I too have been eyeing up that pattern for a while, it is popular. It is true that when you see something for real, rather than online, it can change the way you look at it. :)

  5. C_ellis says:

    Hi, I’m touring through Ginny’s yarn along and your pic caught my eye. What yarn are you using? It reminds me of socks that rock, the new colour of love which I just finished making into a shawl-that-I-wear-as-scarf. Oh, and I DO have hitchhiker in my queue, so I appreciate the tips!

  6. Regula says:

    Hitchhiker is on my list. I haven’t started yet …. :-)

  7. Ande says:

    Is the pattern for hitch hiker available Thanx!!!!!

  8. Peter Davis says:

    Just stumbled on this post as I wash having trouble keeping track of the Hitchhiker too. The chart is such a simple solution! Thanks.

  9. Nancy yando says:

    Hi….I found a terrific hint for keeping track of the rows on the “hitchhiker beyond” scarf. Place a marker between the first k1 and M1 stitch on the increase side of the scarf. I also had trouble keeping track until I discovered this hint. When you have the 8 rows done , remove the marker.

  10. Ellen Keir says:

    What length did anyone make the hitchhiker, like how many stitches did you end up with?
    Would appreciate as I’m knitting it now and don’t know when to stop.
    Thank you in anticipation
    Ellen

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