Thursday, October 27, 2011

The Perfectly Easy Shawl


While you may be expecting something boring and dull from such an simple design, this perfectly easy and absolutely exquisite wrap is anything but boring. The key to its beauty and versatility is the yarn. Using a stunning colorway in a quality mohair or mohair blend fiber allows you to knit up this fashion statement with minimal effort. The result is a lightweight and drapey wrap. Since mohair takes color so well,- and there are lots of choices available from inexpensive blends - be careful to purchase a mohair that is not super fuzzy or scratchy- to high quality mohairs such as: Artyarns' Silk Mohair, Be Sweet's Extra Fine or Medium Mohair or their Medium Brushed Mohair and Rowans's stunning Kid Silk Haze. Consider too, the luxurious Filatura Di Crosa's Superior, a gorgeous cashmere blend in a beautiful range of colors. I personally prefer to knit this shawl from just one skein of yarn, so there are not any extra ends to weave in, but one could easily increase its size or add a second color to your shawl.

The pattern works best on circular needles but, choose your needles carefully to find those needles that work best with your yarn. For some, nickel plated brass (Addi lace needles, come to mind) are ideal and for others a rosewood may do the trick. Experiment to make sure your chosen mohair slides easily over the needles and does not catch on your tips or joins. A 24" circular needle is the perfect length. Your needle size will be determined by the weight of your mohair. A fine mohair like the pale green shawl shown here in Artyarns' Silk Mohair might work up nicely on a US 9 or 10, but a slightly bulkier yarn such as Be Sweet's Medium Brushed Mohair would be best on a US 15 or 17 to achieve the appropriate airiness that this shawl demands. You may also consider doubling one of the finer yarns to achieve a similar effect.





The Perfectly Easy Shawl/Neck Wrap

Please use this pattern for your personal non-commercial use only.


So easy, even a beginner could knit it and, so lovely, you will be fielding the praise. Much less challenging than its appearance suggests, the key to its design is your choice of yarn and needles, nothing more. A wispy, drapey, wrap for your neck and shoulders, the perfect accent to your wardrobe and warm too, when needed. Versatile in every way, this will be both your “go to” accessory and a favorite project to knit and to give as a gift as well.


Materials: Approximately 250 yards or more of a mohair or mohair blend yarn. I used Karabella’s Mirage yarn, 72% kid mohair/28% polyamide, a multicolored mohair. Any similar fiber will do, just make sure that the yarn is not overly fuzzy or bulky. Needles: 24” or 32” circulars: size 12mm (US 17). If you use a finer yarn, adjust your needle size to a 10mm (US 15) or less to achieve the proper drape. Optional: stitch markers.

Kfb: Knit into the front and back of stitch (2 stitches made)

Instructions: Cast on 5 sts. Knit 2 rows

Row 1: K 1, Kfb, knit to last two stitches, Kfb, K1


Repeat row 1 until you have only several yards remaining to bind off.

Bind off very loosely. Weave in ends. Wait for compliments.

2 Comments:

Blogger Nancy said...

Gorgeous!! Would it be possible to post pic on Rav with someone wearing the shawl around their neck -- The shawl is perfect for gift giving...

1:22 AM  
Blogger Laurie K said...

now on Facebook on The Ethelridge Road Knitting Salon Page.

5:12 PM  

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