This is my Citron Shawl, done! I have been working on it for a long time. But had I knitted this all at once, it wouldn’t have taken too long. Love this easy, swingy pattern. Thanks Knitty! Free pattern here made by Hilary Callis.
Knitty is a great online knitting and spinning magazine. Plenty of great articles and free patterns. This Winter Knitty 13 has a wonderful article about Ethnic Knitting Adventures by Donna Druchunas, it is about Designing A Norwegian Ski Sweater. Check it out, along with the other features they have.
The pattern is a semi circular shawl/cap (depending on the size yarn used and the length you knit it), It is all in stockinette stitch, with increases and decreases to form the gather/ruffle areas. Easy knitting, good for beginning knitter. Great item to watch TV, movies, or anything that you want to be on auto pilot.
I was worried about the bind off, as I tend to bind off tightly. This pattern had so many stitches and they were at the full point of the last ruffle, so I needed to find a loose one. A Ravelry knitter who had knitted it suggested the Russian Bind off and included a video in her message. Video to Russian Bind off. It worked nicely and the shawl ended up with good movement.
Yarn used: I made this with some yarn I bought while visiting my Dad when he had a surgery. From JoAnns, it is Patons Lace, and I would highly recommend it (gauge 4 inches = 26 sts on size 4 needles, and 498 yards/455 meters), so much that I have bought 4 other colors and found it with a sequin added in it. I love the super long color changes, it allows for a striking repeat in this pattern, it also comes in solids. The yarn is a good mix of acrylic 80%, wool 10%, and mohair 10%. It is so soft and light to work with. As a bonus easy to care for. When finished I was pleasantly surprised at how it blocked up, and the movement, it was light as air and with the 10% mohair, it has a beautiful halo.
I made this with some yarn I bought while visiting my Dad when he had a surgery. From JoAnns, it is Patons Lace, and I would highly recommend it, so much that I have bought 4 other colors and found it with a sequin added in it. I love the super long color changes, it allows for a striking repeat in this pattern. The yarn is a good mix of acrylic and wool with a soft halo to it. It is so soft and light to work with. As a bonus easy to care for.
It was a gift to a girl friend going through some hard times, when knitting for a non knitter I like to use a super wash wool, or one with some acrylic in it. I’ve found several excellent ones now that are 100% acrylic that I’m in love with. (More on that in a later post)
Yay, now on to my Boneyard shawl, and I’m in the process of making a quilt.
Hope your enjoying your knitting!
Need to find a knitting pattern try the Knitty pattern finder (link below)
(link to Knitty pattern finder)
A selection of Knitty patterns:
Diversify cowl by Andrea Rangel-good for any gauge yarn, and it looks like a quick knit
Nymphalidea by Melinda VerMeer-A beautiful airy, butterfly like shawl/scarf
Commuter by Stephanie Sun- Fun fingerless mitts with an added bonus!
Mandelbrot by Alexandra Tinsley- fast to knit up, good way to use up some handspun, I think I’m going to cast on this one, I may leave the pompom off.
That's a good thing to know about the Paton's lace yarn. I am always looking for a yarn with long color changes. Your shawl is a lovely thing to behold.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful shawl! I really liked the article about ethnic knitting in Knitty. I'm doing a Finnish ski belt pattern on the inkle loom now, and the diamond motifs are the same as the ones in the Norwegian sweaters.
ReplyDeleteThe Citron is beautiful!!
ReplyDelete