Betwixtmas 2025 Hints and Tips

This is a slightly more complicated Betwixtmas than previous years. That is not to say it is difficult (you’ll still be able to make it whilst watching ‘The Great Escape’) it will just require a little more concentration initially. The best piece of advice I can give you is don’t panic, take it row by row and you’ll be fine.

Betwixtmas Hints and Tips

1. Read the pattern! 

   I know this sounds obvious but please read the pattern notes before you start. The icord edge is worked slightly differently to how I have done it before and it baffled me initially. It felt a little bit counterintuitive when I started (I undid it twice) but I soon got into the flow. 

2. If you are using hanks of yarn (i.e The Croft Aran) wind the yarn before you start.
   
   
3. Tension is worked out over the ridge pattern created in the shawl. Knit a tension square at least 12cm square to the following pattern:
   R1 Knit
   R2 Purl
   R3 Knit
   R4 Knit
   Whilst tension is not vitally important for this project, it will affect the feel of your finished piece.
   
   
4. I would recommend starting it when you have an hour or two of peace and quiet and familiarise yourself with the pattern. It will soon click and I know you are going to love it.
   
   
5. Use a pen/pencil to cross off your rows as you go. It is easy to get lost in the pattern.
   
   
6. Icord edge; whilst you are establishing the pattern and easy icord edge, you might find it useful to place a stitch marker after the first three stitches and before the last three.
   
   
   
7. Don’t let the chart put you off. Odd numbers are right side rows and even numbers are wrong side.
   
   
8. I love charts for colourwork but can struggle with them a little bit when they denote different stitches. You do not need to use the chart, the instructions are also written out within the pattern.
   
   
9. If you're new to cables then we recommend using coloured pencils on your chart, it makes it really quick and easy to work out which cable you are looking at. For example, select a shade to colour-in box 'C3B' of the chart key and then do the same with the 'C3B's' on the chart.
   
   
10. The pompons finish this project off beautifully. We recommend making them as dense as you can as they add a perfect weight to each end of the shawl. I’ll be using a Pompon maker - they are super easy to use and give a great round pompon. Give it a trim at the end and then I steam mine over a kettle (held on a knitting needle so I don’t burn my hand. It really fluffs them up and gives a great finish.
    
    

    If you are using the traditional paper circle method then check out the Arne & Carlos  You Tube. They give theirs a good whack, which looks like a good stress release too! and a final trim. 

    We also recommend tying  them so that they can be removed when you wash your Betwixtmas, or if you want to wear your Betwixtmas as a traditional shawl.