In comedy, a Payoff is the laughter and reaction that comes at the end of a story. In shawl knitting, this Payoff is a gorgeous edging that comes at the end of a cosy triangle of simple stripes.

Payoff is part of The Stand-Up Collection - knitwear with a punch that’s inspired by stand-up comedy.

Choose fingering weight yarn that feels comfortable next to skin and has good stitch definition. Two high-contrast colours are recommended for the body of the shawl. It is strongly recommended that you test high-contrast colours for colourfastness before beginning the project. Please note that the body of the shawl uses nearly all of the skeins - take time to check that your gauge is accurate or else be prepared with additional yardage.

Main Colour 1 (MC1) 410y/375 m and Main Colour 2 (MC2) 410y/375 m; Contrast Colour (CC - edging) 250 y/229 m.

Green edge version shown in The Plucky Knitter Feet, 1 skein each in Morticia (MC1), Wintry Mix (MC2) and Pollen (CC)

Pink edge version shown in The Plucky Knitter Oxford 2.0, 1 skein each in Wintry Mix (MC1), Galvanized (MC2); edging Kelbourne Woolens Perennial (60% superwash merino, 25% suri alpaca, 15% nylon; 454 m/497y per 100g), 1 skein in Neon Coral (CC).

I made the green-edged version of this shawl almost four years before publication. I wore it a lot, and after a number of wearings, I found the edging to soften and curl a bit. When I decided to make it for publication, I needed to re-knit the whole shawl to remind myself what I’d done. In the process, I opted to use more garter stitch in the pink edging to see if it would curl less, and it does. But I still find charm in the original version, so you get two versions to choose from.

The shawl body is an easily-memorized garter stripe pattern, perfect for carrying around when you need something simple. The lace edgings can be knit from either written or charted instructions.

This pattern has been professionally tech-edited.

Photos were shot in and around The Anglerfish, a marvellous sculpture by Ryan Longo currently installed in front of the Canadian Clay and Glass Gallery. More information about the artist may be found here: https://www.ryanlongo.ca

Instructions for the body of the shawl - garter stripes worked on the bias - were shared with my friend Janelle Martin. She worked a completely different lace edging incorporating short rows, resulting in her beautiful Sabal shawl. Please go check it out!