Good morning, knitters! I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend. With the Saints big win over the Eagles yesterday, I sure did! New Orleans is like a simmering volcano right now since we’re in the playoffs. Excitement fills every nook and cranny of the city and everyone is on the same page. It’s magic!
So it’s been a little non-stop around here between knitting and bars! Speaking of which…the Tipsy Knitters will be taking a field trip this week. We’ll be knitting at the Artisan Cafe & Bar on Wednesday and taking advantage of the yummy menu and specialty drinks like the Dark & Stormy, Blueberry Cosmo and French 75’s. Mmmmm! Stop in and join us if you’re local…2514 St. Claude Ave, New Orleans.
Fun! Let’s get to it….Since it’s Monday, let’s take a look at this week’s Fabulous Features. I’m offering these patterns at 50% off this week, through Monday, January 21. This week, the focus is on quick and easy shawls.
The Maypole Shawl is an easy, semi-circular shawl that begins with a gentle stockinette body. Increases worked every other right side row at 8 points across the shawl produce an almost half-moon shape that is deep and snugly at the center and gently tapered at the points. Evenly spaced increases create very pretty directional shaping lines that put me in mind of a spider’s web or the spokes of a wheel. The lace border in a whimsical lace pattern of big polka dots floating in mesh is knitted continuously, pretty to look at and fun to knit. To finish, an exuberant loop-the-loop edging of I-cord creates a clever scallop.
Echo is a soft, swingy triangle, easy to knit, with two reverberating lace patterns. It is cast on at the open, lacy border and worked upward to a point. She was composed in New Orleans during Jazz Fest where, from the patio could be heard the sounds of joyful music made delicate by distance. Echo is large enough to wrap up in on chilly evenings, yet light enough to keep the sun from delicate shoulders. Prepare yourself for an enchanting knit!
I think the Annapolis Wrap, is as close to being yachty as I’m likely to get. It’s jaunty. It’s a long triangle with easy-to-memorize shaping worked in 2-row stripes. It provides the knitter with a good long stretch of fairly mindless “boat knitting” (for in between sailing tasks), followed by an engaging lace border which is knitted on as the shawl is bound off. A fairly large wrap, Annapolis uses the specified yarn almost completely, but adapts itself to smaller or larger interpretations. The border can be applied to any number of stitches so your final stitch count after knitting all those nautical stripes is just not that important. Choose something soft and warm in colors you love and you’ll have a toasty wrap in no time!
I’m ready for something cozy around my neck, something I can wear with a blouse or a t-shirt for a little extra warmth, something homey and simple, squishy and soft. I want something, but not a whole lot of something. Enter The Big Skinny, a very narrow, shallow shawl, more of a shaped scarf actually, worked in spongey garter stitch. Very nearly a full circle, Skinny creates soft ripples when worn with the narrow ends hanging in front, yet its circular shape is just right to hug your neck and shoulders when wrapped snugly around. A mirthful eyelet row joins the border and picks up color from a simple single stripe near the neck. The Big Skinny is perfect in Kenzie by HiKoo, a clever blend of New Zealand merino, angora, alpaca and silk. It’s soft with a delicate halo, yet has a rustic, tweedy quality that’s just right for fall. Team a neutral with a bright or two tonal shades; you’ll want to make more than one of this very easy piece, perfect for TV knitting as you catch up on all your favorite shows.
I hope you enjoy this little selection! These patterns will be featured at 50% off in my Ravelry shop until Monday, January 21, 2019. Just pop them into your cart and enter the coupon code SHAWLS4ALL.
Don’t forget that the Zephyr Hat & Cowl pattern is still available at 50% off until Friday, January 18, 2019 (coupon code ZEPHYR2) and because I think you guys are awesome, here’s a little bonus FREE pattern for your knitting pleasure! Remember that free patterns featured here (off-site patterns) cannot be saved in your Ravelry library. Today’s free pattern is the Bean Sprout Bag. I hope you love it!
‘Til next time, happy knitting!
Cheryl
