Fall Into Shawls

September 9th, 2011 by Guest

This is a guest post from Karrie of KnitPurlGurl.com.

I don’t know many people who don’t enjoy the spoils of autumn weather: Friday night football games at the local high school, picking apples at the local orchard, bonfires, roasting marshmallows, hayrides, pumpkin picking, and fall foliage tours. It’s the perfect time to enjoy the remains of warm weather and usher in the beginning of cool weather. But what to wear? It’s not quite warm enough to wear a short sleeved shirt and yet a long sleeved shirt is too warm during the day. You can bring a jacket with you, but it may be a little too warm for that. How about a shawl?

Shawls add the perfect bit of warmth to cold shoulders; the perfect fashionable flair to an outfit; and the perfect addition to every wardrobe. Shawls can be knit or crocheted. They can be rectangular (stoles), square, round, semi-circular, or triangular (the most common shape). Shawls can focus on texture such as a garter stitch or single crochet shawl, cables, or a multitude of textured stitches which can be found in various stitch dictionaries. Shawls can be lacy and light, showcasing intricate or simple lace patterns to allow a beautiful and lofty pattern to emerge. And most importantly, shawls can be worn on the shoulders, asymmetrically on one shoulder, or around the neck like a scarf. Shawls are truly versatile, wonderful pieces to add to your wardrobe and knitting or crochet repertoire.

So now that I’ve convinced you to try your hook or needles at a shawl pattern, which pattern is right for you? To answer that, you need to consider two things: 1.) What skill level are you? Are you a beginner? Intermediate? -AND- 2.)What are you using the shawl for? Is it for warmth? Is it going to be a lacy accessory? Once you have answered those questions, you’re ready to search for a shawl pattern. Here are some of my personal favorite Lion Brand shawl patterns:

Non-Lace Knit Shawls: 
• Knit Triangle Shawl (Easy)
• Spring Garden Shawl (Beginner)
• Soft and Elegant Shoulder Wrap (Beginner) Hint: Substitute Superwash Merino Cashmere for the discontinued Lion Cashmere Blend

Non-Lace Crochet Shawls: 
• Cinema Wrap (Beginner)
• Caramel Tweed Shawl (Beginner)

Lace Knit Shawls: 
• Sunshine Shawlette (Easy) – Pictured at above right
• Shoreline Lace Shawl (Easy+)
• Lacy Stole (Easy+)
• Tea and Sympathy Shawl (Easy)

Lace Crochet Shawls:
• Dorothea Wraplet (Intermediate)
• New Year’s Shawl (Advanced Intermediate)
• South Bay Shawlette (Advanced Intermediate)
• Sea Shell Wrap (Intermediate)
• Elegant Shawl (Intermediate)
• Tea and Sympathy Shawl (Easy)

What are you waiting for? If you begin your project now, you’ll have a fashionable shawl to wear to that next bonfire.