I've always been more of a scarf than a shawl person, but this summer the Crochet Powers That Be aligned to teach me a thing or two about the latter. First there was the big jar of salvaged Rowan merino-cotton blend, waiting to be made into something soft and warm.
Then I came across the Nordic Shawl pattern on Pinterest. It intrigued me, with its hints of Nordic folklore and promises of cosyness. It did bunny-hops across my brain until I saw purple colour schemes everywhere (I blame too much packing in 40-degree heat).
Finally I bought it (from the very talented Anette, who blogs at My Rose Valley) and set to it. With boxes at my feet and Merino-mix on my lap in the middle of the scorching Italian summer because I was damned if I was a) going to stop crocheting, and b) feel cold once we'd arrived in the UK and then Sweden.
It took me a good few attempts to get the colour scheme right and I ran out of purple before I could put a proper border on it, but shortly after we got to England I tucked in the last few ends and straightened out the sides. So here it is, and I love it.
It took me a good few attempts to get the colour scheme right and I ran out of purple before I could put a proper border on it, but shortly after we got to England I tucked in the last few ends and straightened out the sides. So here it is, and I love it.
The pattern itself is well-written with pictures of each of the coloured rows that make up the folksy stripes. It's great fun and works up quickly, although you do have to pay attention to the stitch count around the tip. I messed it up more than once and would have like some close-up photos of it, but in the end all was well.
So far I've worn it a lot in the early mornings over my PJs - these pictures were taken in the Norfolk countryside in early August. It's very warm, probably much warmer and also heavier than if I'd used all cotton as the pattern suggests, but I don't mind. I'm not going to mind as I curl up under it all autumn, all winter, and probably all spring too.
I did use cotton for the coloured stripes, because I wanted to use up some of the yarn I already had. That wasn't enough though and as it was all about getting the colour right for me, I trawled Deramores for hours (what hardship) to find the right shades in the right weights. I've ended up with quite a mishmash of brands:
I did use cotton for the coloured stripes, because I wanted to use up some of the yarn I already had. That wasn't enough though and as it was all about getting the colour right for me, I trawled Deramores for hours (what hardship) to find the right shades in the right weights. I've ended up with quite a mishmash of brands:
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Olive Green - Sirdar Cotton 4-ply in Larkin Cream - Scheepjeswol Cotton 8 #501 Light Blue - DMC Natura Just Cotton in Azur Dark Blue - DMC Natura Just Cotton in Blue Jeans Light Orange - Scheepjeswol Cotton 8 #639 Dark Orange - Scheepjeswol Cotton 8 #671 |
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Along the way I discovered I really like Cotton 8 by Scheepjeswol. It's the lightest of the cottons I use, but I love the extensive colour range and, above all, the fact that it does not split. I love it so much that I'm using it in an upcoming jumper pattern, so look out for that if you're into Scheepjes too!
In any case, I'm now sold on shawls. I love how they allow you to play around with colours as well as different stitches, without being so large that they linger in the WIP basket for too long (I'm looking at you, Crochet meets Patchwork blanket). Anyone got any recommendations for fun crochet shawl patterns for me to try next?
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