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A Shawl For Leaving the Maiden House

Summary:

This is a knitting pattern I reverse engineered for the shawl worn by Saffron in the episode "Our Mrs. Reynolds" of the tv show Firefly. Originally published via Ravelry in 2012? I think? But it was always free.

This is the text only version of the pattern because a) the charts are not yet updated (I made them upside down and neither I nor the tech editor caught it!) and b) I need to find somewhere to host the images besides googlephotos. There are markers in the text where they would go and there's a link to an offsite album with them in it at the end if you want them anyway.

The formatting is kind of trash, I'm sorry. I have Good Intentions to put it up elsewhere as a complete, reformatted PDF but it's always going to be free and it's a fanwork. This is a good place to put the text part so folks can read it and use it. Enjoy.

Notes:

(See the end of the work for notes.)

Work Text:

About this design:

The design  of this shawl is not original to the author.  It is, however, painstakingly reverse engineered from numerous grainy screenshots from one episode of the cult tv show Firefly.

This is intended to be a screen-accurate knitted pattern for the shawl worn by the character Saffron in the episode "Our Mrs Reynolds." Saffron is herself a character played by another character, a con-artist and professional black widow whose real name we never learn, but who is often referred to using an amalgamation of her three known aliases, YoSaffBridge. 

The true accuracy of this version can't be guaranteed, but over a year of work went into making it as close as possible to the one seen in the series. No information on the pattern used to make the screen used shawl has ever been located, despite years of searching and inquiries to Shawna Trpcic by numerous fans and cosplayers (see notes at end for update). The materials and current location of the screen-used shawl are unknown.
__________________________

Tools and Materials

Yarns: 
Smooth or single ply worsted,  360 yards
or smooth or single ply bulky 400+ yards

Needles:
Worsted: one US size 10 or 10.5 (6mm or 6.5mm) long circular and 1 pair dpns, same size
Bulky: one US size 11 (8mm) or larger long circular and 1 pair dpns, same size

You will also need blocking tools (pins, wires), smooth contrast yarn or stitch saver cord for a lifeline and a yarn needle for setting the lifeline and weaving in the ends/tying on fringes if desired.
__________________________

Stitches and Abbreviations Used

Border stitches are in italics throughout the pattern to make it easier to keep track of them.


Contiguous repeats are between parentheses () like this: 

EXAMPLE ONLY
(yo, k3) x2 which should be read as:

yo, k3, yo, k3


Separated repeats are shown between asterisks and repeats are shown as *-*, like this: 

EXAMPLE ONLY

*yo, k3,* k2tog, *-* which should be read as:

yo, k3, k2tog, yo, k3


Nested sets of repeats are shown between brackets {}, with parentheses () indicating inner repeats: 

EXAMPLE ONLY
 {k1, yo, (k2, yo, k1)x2, yo}x2 which should be read as
  k1, yo, (k2, yo, k1)x2, yo, k1, yo, (k2, yo, k1)x2, yo which can also be read as
  k1, yo, k2, yo, k1, k2, yo, k1, yo, k1, yo, k2, yo, k1, k2, yo, k1, yo

 

k2tog = knit two stitches together
k3tog = knit three stitches together
k# = knit indicated number of stitches
m1 = make one 
sl1 = slip one stitch knitwise to the other needle
yo = yarn over
__________________________

Cast on and part 1:

Cast on 4 stitches using a provisional cast on and knit 6 rows garter stitch. Pick up and knit three stitches from the garter ribs, then open up the live stitches from the provisional cast on and pick up those. This gives you 4 for the border, 1 for one side of the shawl, 1 for the center stitch, 1 for the other side of the shawl and the last 4 are the other side of the border. 

Row 1: k2, yo, k2tog, yo, (k1, yo)x3, k2tog, yo, k2

Row 2: knit all

Row 3: k2, yo, k2tog, yo, k3, yo, k1, yo, k3, yo, k2tog, yo, k2

Row 4: knit all

Row 5: k2, yo, k2tog, yo, k5, yo, k1, yo, k5, yo, k2tog, yo, k2

Row 6: knit all

Row 7: k2, yo, k2tog, yo, k7, yo, k1, yo, k7, yo, k2tog, yo, k2

Row 8: knit all

Row 9: k2, yo, k2tog, yo, k9, yo, k1, yo, k9, yo, k2tog, yo, k2

Row 10: k7,( k2tog, yo, k1, yo, k2tog, k7)x2

Row 11: k2, yo, k2tog, yo, k2, k2tog, yo, k3, yo, k2tog, k2, yo, k1, yo, k2,k2tog, yo, k3, yo, k2tog, k2, yo, k2tog, yo, k2


[chart one]

Part 2:

Row 12: K6, *K2tog, YO, K5, YO, K2tog, *K5, *-*, K6

Row 13: k2, yo, k2tog, *YO, K1, K2tog, yo, K7, YO, K2tog, K1, YO,* k1, *-*, k2tog, yo, k2

Row 14: K9, *K2tog, YO, K1, YO, K2tog, *K11, *-*, K9

Row 15: k2, yo, k2tog, YO, K1, *YO, K2tog, K1, K2tog, YO, *K3, *-*, (K1, YO)x2, K1, *-*, K3, *-*, K1, YO, k2tog, yo, k2

Row 16: K7, (YO, K3tog, YO, K5, YO, K3tog, YO, K7)x2

Row 17: k2, yo, k2tog, *YO, K4, yo, K2tog, k6, YO, K2tog, K3, YO, *K1, *-*, k2tog, yo, k2

Row 18: K6, *YO, K2tog, K3, K2tog, YO, *K1, *-*, K5, *-*, K1, *-*, K6

Row 19: k2, yo, k2tog, YO, K3, *(YO, K2tog, K1, K2tog, YO, K3 )x2, *YO, K1, YO, K3, *-*, YO, k2tog, yo, k2

Row 20: K9, *YO, K3tog, YO, K5, YO, K3tog, YO,*K11, *-*, K9

Row 21: k2, yo, k2tog, *YO, K6, yo, K2tog, k6, YO, K2tog, K5, YO,*K1, *-*, k2tog, yo, k2

Row 22: Knit all

Place lifeline.

(chart 2)


Part 3:

Row 23; k2, yo, k2tog, *yo, k23, yo , *k1, *_*, k2tog, yo, k2

Row 24: k6, *k2tog, yo, k1, (yo, k2tog, k3, k2tog, yo, k1)x2, yo, k2tog*, k5, *_*, K6

Row 25: k2, yo, k2tog, *yo, (k1, k2tog, yo, k3, yo, k2tog)x3, k1, yo*, k1, *_*, k2tog, yo, k2

Row 26: k5, *k2tog, yo, (k5, yo, k3tog, yo)x2, k5, yo, k2tog*, k3, *_*, k5

Row 27: k2, yo, k2tog, *yo, k9, yo, k2tog, k6, yo, k2tog, k8, yo*, k1, *_ *, k2tog, yo, k2

Row 28: k8 *(k2tog, yo, k1, yo, k2tog, k3)x2, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, k2tog*, k9, *_*, k8

Row 29: k2, yo, k2tog, *yo, k3, (k2tog, yo, k3, yo, k2tog, k1)x2, k2tog, yo, k3, yo, k2tog, k3, yo*, k1, *_*, k2tog, yo, k2

Row 30: k7, {k2tog, (yo, k5, yo, k3tog)x2, yo, k5, yo, k2tog, k7}x2

Row 31: k2, yo, k2tog, *yo, k3, (yo, k2tog, k6), x3, yo, k2tog, k2, yo*, k1, *_*, k2tog, yo, k2

Row 32: k5, *(yo, k2tog, k3, k2tog, yo, k1)x3, yo, k2tog, k3, k2tog, yo*, k3, *_*, k5

Row 33: k2, yo, k2tog, *yo, k2, (yo, k2tog, k1, k2tog, yo, k3)x3, yo , k2tog, k1, k2tog, yo, k2, yo*, k1, *_*, k2tog, yo, k2

Row 34: k8, *(yo, k3tog, yo, k5)x3, yo, k3tog, yo*, k9, *_*, k8

Row 35; k2, yo, k2tog, *yo, k5, (yo, k2tog, k6) x3, yo, k2tog, k4, yo*, k1, *_*, k2tog, yo, k2

Row 36: knit all

Place lifeline.

(chart 3)


Part 4:

Row 37: k2, yo, k2tog, *yo, k37, yo*, k1, *_*, k2tog, yo, k2

Row 38: k5, *k2tog, yo, k1, (yo, k2tog, k3, k2tog, yo, k1) x4, yo, k2tog*, k3, *_*, K5

Row 39: k2, yo, k2tog, *yo, k2tog, yo, (k3, yo, k2tog, k1, k2tog, yo)x4, k3, yo, k2tog, yo*, k1, * _*, k2tog, yo, k2

Row 40: k4, *k2tog, yo, (k5, yo, k3tog, yo)x4, k5, yo, k2tog*, k1, *_*, k4

Row 41: k2, yo, k2tog, *yo, k8, (yo, k2tog, k6) x3, yo, k2tog, k7, yo*, k1, *_*, k2tog, yo, k2

Row 42: {k7, k2tog, yo, k1, (yo, k2tog, k3, k2tog, yo, k1) x4, yo, k2tog} x2, k7

Row 43: k2, yo, k2tog, *yo, k2, (k2tog, yo, k3, yo, k2tog, k1) x4, k2tog, yo, k3, yo, k2tog, k2, yo*, k1, *_*, k2tog, yo, k2

Row 44: k5, *(yo, k3tog, yo, k5) x5, yo, k3tog, yo*, k3, *_*, k5

Row 45: k2, yo, k2tog, *yo, k2, (yo, k2tog, k6)x5, yo, k2tog, k1, yo*, k1, *_*, k2tog, yo, k2

Row 46: k9, *(k2tog, yo, k1, yo, k2tog, k3) x4, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, k2tog*, k11, *_*, k9

Row 47: k2, yo, k2tog, *yo, k1, (yo, k2tog, k1, k2tog, yo, k3) x5, yo, k2tog, k1, k2tog, yo, k1, yo*, k1, *_*, k2tog, yo, k2

Row 48: k7, {(yo, k3tog, yo, k5) x5, yo, k3tog, yo, k7} x2

Row 49: k2, yo, k2tog, *yo, k4, (yo, k2tog, k6) x5, yo, k2tog, k3, yo*, k1, *_*, k2tog, yo, k2

Row 50: knit all

Place lifeline.

(chart 4)

Part 5:

Row 51: k2, yo, k2tog, *yo, k51, yo*, k1, *_*, k2tog, yo, k2

Row 52: k7, {(yo, k2tog, k3, k2tog, yo, k1) x5, yo, k2tog, k3, k2tog, yo, k7}x2

Row 53: k2, yo, k2tog, *yo, k4, (yo, kt2og, k1, k2tog, yo, k3) x5, yo, kt2og, k1, k2tog, yo, k4, yo*, k1, *_*, k2tog, yo, k2

Row 54: k10, *(yo, k3tog, yo, k5) x5, yo, k3tog, yo*, k13, *_*, k10

Row 55: k2, yo, k2tog, *yo, k7, (yo, k2tog, k6) x6, yo*, k1, *_*, k2tog, yo, k2

Row 56: k6, *(k2tog, yo, k1, yo, k2tog, k3) x6, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, k2tog*, k5, *_*, k6

Row 57: k2, yo, k2tog, *yo, k1, k2tog, yo, (k3, yo, k2tog, k1, k2tog, yo) x6, k3, yo, k2tog, k1, yo*, k1, *_*, k2tog, yo, k2

Row 58: k5, *k2tog, yo, (k5, yo, k3tog, yo) x6, k5, yo, k2tog*, k3, *_*, k5

Row 59: k2, yo, k2tog, *yo, k2tog, yo, (k6, k2tog, yo)x3, k7, (yo, k2tog, k6)x3, yo, k2tog, yo*, k1, *_*, k2tog, yo, k2

Row 60: k8, *(k2tog, yo, k1, yo, k2tog, k3)x6, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, k2tog*, k9, *_*, k8

Row 61: k2, yo, k2tog, *yo, k3, (k2tog, yo, k3, yo, k2tog, k1) x6, k2tog, yo, k3, yo, k2tog, k3, yo*, k1, *_*, k2tog, yo, k2

Row 62: k6, (yo, k3tog, yo, k5) x15, yo, k3tog, yo, k6

Row 63: k2, yo, k2tog, *yo, k3, (yo, k2tog, k6) x7, yo, k2tog, k2, yo*, k1, *_*, k2tog, yo, k2

Row 64: knit all

Place lifeline.

(chart 5)

Part 6:

Row 65: k2, yo, k2tog, *yo, k65, yo*, k1, *_*, k2tog, yo, k2

Row 66: k6, *(yo, k2tog, k3, k2tog, yo, k1) x7, yo, k2tog, k3, k2tog, yo*, k5, *_*, k6

Row 67: k2, yo, k2tog, *yo, (k3, yo, k2tog, k1, k2tog, yo) x8, k3, yo*, k1, *_*, k2tog, yo, k2

Row 68: k9, *(yo, k3tog, yo, k5) x7, yo, k3tog, yo*, k11, *_*, k9

Row 69: k2, yo, k2tog, *yo, k6, (yo, k2tog, k6)x7, yo, k2tog, k5, yo*, k1, *_*, k2tog, yo, k2

Row 70: k5, (k2tog, yo, k1, yo, k2tog, k3) x17, k2tog, yo, k1, k2tog, yo, k5

Row 71: k2, yo, k2tog, *yo, (k2tog, yo, k3, yo, k2tog, k1) x8, k2tog, yo, k3, yo, k2tog, yo*, k1, *_*, k2tog, yo, k2

Row 72: k4, *k2tog, yo, (k5, yo, k3tog, yo) x8, k5, yo, k2tog*, k1, *_*, k4

Row 73: k2, yo, k2tog, *yo, k8, (yo, k2tog, k6) x7, yo, k2tog, k7, yo*, k1, *_*, k2tog, yo, k2

Row 74: k7, {(k2tog, yo, k1, yo, k2tog, k3) x8, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, k2tog, k7} x2

Row 75: k2, yo, k2tog, *yo, k2, (k2tog, yo, k3, yo, k2tog, k1) x8, k2tog, yo, k3, yo, k2tog, k2, yo*, k1, *_*, k2tog, yo, k2

Row 76: k6, *k2tog, yo, (k5, yo, k3tog, yo) x8, k5, yo, k2tog*, k5, *_*, k6

Row 77: k2, yo, k2tog, *yo, k2, (yo, k2tog, k6) x9, yo, k2tog, k1, yo*, k1, *_*, k2tog, yo, k2

Row 78: knit all

Keep all stitches live on long circular needle.

(chart 6)


At this point the circular is just a giant stitch holder (mostly in the name of preventing redundant binding off). 
__________________________

Foundation for edging:

The foundation for the edging is a continuation of the double eyelet border that you have been working all along the top of the shawl. Using straights or dpns the same size as the circular needle, transfer four stitches from the circular onto the non-working needle and begin working with them, from the edge inwards: 

Row 1: k2, yo, k2tog

Row 2: yo, knit 4 (the yarn over becomes an extra stitch on the working needle every even row)

Rows 3 to 28: Repeat rows 1 and 2 until there are 14 extra stitches on needles

Row 29: k2, yo, k2tog

Row 30: sl1, k3 (the slipped stitch becomes an extra stitch on the working needle)

Row 31: k2, yo, k1

Row 32: sl1, k3

Row 33: k2

Row 34: yo, k2

Row 35: k2

Row 36: sl1, k1

Row 37: k1

Row 38: yo, k1

Row 39: k1, turn 90 degrees to work up the bottom edge of the shawl.

New row numbering begins after turning sideways.


[border chart 1]

__________________________

Knitted on Border Edging:


Row 1: Bind off stitches, beginning with k1 stitch from row 39, until there are 14 stitches left on the non working needle.  If your bind off method left you with 13 on the non working needle and 1 on the working needle, slip it to the non-working needle. Then knit 13, knit last stitch together with next stitch from the circular.
Row 2: k12, k2tog
 Shortrowing to miter edging begins here
[border chart 2]
Row 3: k2
Row 4: k2tog
Row 5: k2, m1 purlwise
Row 6: k1, k2tog
Row 7: k2, yo, k2tog
Row 8: k2, k2tog
Row 9: k2, yo, k2tog, m1 purlwise
Row 10: k3, k2tog
Row 11: k2, (yo, k2tog)x2
Row 12: k4, k2tog
Row 13: k2, (yo, k2tog)x2, k1
Row 14: k5, k2tog
Row 15: k2, (yo, k2tog)x2, k2
Row 16: K6, k2tog
Row 17: k2, (yo, k2tog)x2, k2
Row 18: K6, k2tog
 Shortrows end here.


[border chart 3]
Row 19: k2, (yo, k2tog)x2, knit1 together with next stitch on circular 
Row 20: k7, m1 purlwise
Row 21: k2, (yo, k2tog)x2, k1, knit1 together with next stitch on circular
Row 22: k8, m1 purlwise
Row 23: k2, (yo, k2tog)x2, k2, knit1 together with next stitch on circular 
 This should line up with the first eyelet in the partial chevron of row 77
Row 24: k7, k2tog
Row 25: k2, (yo, k2tog)x2, k1, knit1 together with next stitch on circular
Row 26: k6, k2tog
Row 27: k2, (yo, k2tog)x2, knit1 together with next stitch on circular
Row 28: k5, k2tog
Row 29: k2, yo, k2tog, yo, k2 together with next stitch on circular
Row 30: k6

First full repeat motif:
[these are shown in border chart 3 between red lines)
Row 31 (6 sts): k2, yo, k2tog, k1, knit1 together with next stitch on circular. This row lines up with the single stitch between chevrons
Row 32 (6 sts): k6
Row 33 (6 sts): k2, yo, k2tog, yo, k2tog with next stitch on circular
Row 34 (7 sts): k6, m1 purlwise
Row 35 (7 sts): k2, (yo, k2tog)x2, knit1 together with next stitch on circular 
Row 36 (8 sts): k7, m1 purlwise
Row 37 (8 sts): k2, (yo, k2tog)x2, k1, knit1 together with next stitch on circular
Row 38 (9 sts): k8, m1 purlwise
Row 39 (9 sts): k2, (yo, k2tog)x2, k2, knit1 together with next stitch on circular 
 This should line up with the point of the chevron pattern 
Row 40 (8 sts): k7, k2tog
Row 41 (8 sts): k2, (yo, k2tog)x2, k1, knit1 together with next stitch on circular
Row 42 (7 sts): k6, k2tog
Row 43 (7 sts): k2, (yo, k2tog)x2, knit1 together with next stitch on circular
Row 44 (6 sts): k5, k2tog
Row 45 (6 sts): k2, yo, k2tog, yo, k2 together with next stitch on circular
Row 46 (6 sts): k6

Repeat rows 31 to 46 seven times for a total of eight complete repeats. 

Work a partial repeat going into the center point, rows 31-43.

__________________________

Center Point of Edging:


[border chart 4]

point rows get their own numbers, again. There is a shortrow between each full row, for shaping around the point. Sorry, this was the method that worked best.
Row 1 (8 sts): K7, m1 purlwise
Row 2 (6 sts): k2, (yo, k2tog)x2, wrap & turn 
Row 3 (6 sts): k6
Row 4 (8 sts): k2, (yo, k2tog)x2, k1, knit1 together with next stitch on circular
Row 5 (9 sts): k8, m1 purlwise
Row 6 (6 sts): k2, (yo, k2tog)x2, wrap & turn 
Row 7 (6 sts): k6
Row 8 (7 sts): k2, (yo, k2tog)x2, k1, wrap & turn 
Row 9 (8 sts): k7, m1 purlwise
Row 10 (6 sts): k2, (yo, k2tog)x2, wrap & turn 
Row 11 (6 sts): k6
Row 12 (10 sts): k2, (yo, k2tog)x2, k3, knit1 together with next stitch on circular 
 center spine stitch lines up with row 12

[border chart 5]


Row 13 (9 sts): k8, k2tog
Row 14 (6 sts): k2, (yo, k2tog)x2, wrap & turn 
Row 15 (6 sts): k6
Row 16 (7 sts): k2, (yo, k2tog)x2, k1, wrap & turn 
Row 17 (5 sts): k5, k2tog
Row 18 (6 sts): k2, (yo, k2tog)x2, wrap & turn 
Row 19 (6 sts): k6
Row 20 (8 sts): k2, (yo, k2tog)x2, k1, knit1 together with next stitch on circular 
Row 21 (7 sts): k6, k2tog
Row 22 (7 sts): k2, (yo, k2tog)x2, k1, wrap & turn 
Row 23 (7 sts): k7

__________________________

Work a partial repeat going out of point, rows 35-46 of repeat motif.

Repeat rows 31 to 46 of repeat motif seven times for a total of eight complete repeats. 

Work a partial repeat, rows 31-42 of repeat motif.

__________________________

End point:
[border chart 6]

Row 1: k2, (yo, k2tog)x2, knit1 together with next stitch on circular, then transfer the remaining stitches from the circular to the nonworking needle and work towards the long edge of the shawl: yo, k2tog, yo, k2

Row 2: k12

Row 3: k2, (yo, k2tog)x2, k1, yo, k2tog, yo, k2

Row 4: k5, k2tog, k6

Row 5: k2, (yo, k2tog)x2, yo, k2tog, yo, k2

Row 6: k5, k2tog, k5

Row 7: k2, yo, k2tog, yo, k3tog, yo, k2tog, yo, k2

Row 8: k5, k2tog, k4

Row 9: k2, yo, k2tog, {(k2tog, yo)x2, k2} OR {yo, k2tog, yo, k2}

Row 10: k5, k2tog, k3

Row 11: k2, yo, k3tog, yo, k2tog, yo, k2

Row 12: k5, k2tog, k2

Row 13: k2, yo, k2tog, k2tog, yo, k2

Row 14: k5, k2tog, k1

Row 15: k1, (k2tog, yo)x2, k2

Row 16: k5, k2tog

Row 17: k1, yo, k2tog, yo, k2

Row 18: k4, k3tog

Row 19: k1, k2tog, yo, k2

Row 20: k3, k2tog

Row 21: k2tog, yo, k2

Row 22: k2, k2tog

Row 23: k3

Row 24: k1, k2tog

Row 25: k2

Row 26: k2tog

Row 27: k1

Bind off 1, weave in end.


Wash and block, then tie on fringes at points using 2-3 strands of yarn about 14 to 18 inches long for each point.


__________________________

For now charts can be seen in this google album along with reference photos and test knits and a related project (a lacy scarf) which I may add as a second "chapter" to this work if I ever get around to it

 

Notes:

Tech edited by Emma Wearmouth

Test knitted by members of BigDamnKnitters on Ravelry

Errata, corrections, advice and pattern changes are all thanks to (ravelry usernames):

JiSTJill, Elizza, Kesal, Glasseggshells, Kitnel, Jinnif, Hookaddict, catmouse 76

More brave testers:

holity, gretchen, durabledora, knittingintexas, StDebb, redheadsrq, joshkatknits, rosecottage, ginih, auroragreenway, luckyliney, chaos-theory, InaraSerra, Choperena, hishummingbird, JobieKnit, DrPurloknitz, Dragonpink
________________________________________________________________________---
This pattern is not to be sold. Copies may be made and given away. The pattern entry on Ravelry be found at this URL http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/saffron-a-shawl-for-leaving-the-maiden-house

This pattern is a reverse-engineered knitted design, based on the shawl designed by Shawna Trpcic and made for the television series Firefly. Ms Trpcic has said that the original shawl was made using crochet and no pattern was used (in email to hookaddict).

If you are looking for a screen-accurate crocheted shawl, hookaddict on ravelry is working on one. The pattern project page is here: http://www.ravelry.com/projects/hookaddict/yosaffbridge-patterning-attempt

IF YOU FIND ERRATA OR HAVE SUGGESTIONS FOR OTHERS PLEASE LEAVE THEM IN COMMENTS. I don't know when I'll be able to add anything to this, but that doesn't mean you can't help each other make it make sense.