I have a pattern for a free shawl (Lionberry) which I have tried to knit twice now. I give up after spending another two days of my life getting it started. All my rows end up short, and even when I try to add stitches I get holes in the rows. Obviously, I still need practice.

Now I am searching through more favorite shawls I’ve saved on Ravelry to begin a new pattern.

Types of Shawls

The shawls in my quick drawing show the ones I have made, or will make (this gives away the one I eventually chose to knit!) I’ve decided that I prefer the triangular, half circle (crescent) and rectangle shapes best. I do have a hard time figuring out how to wear an irregular, long, triangle shape like the Scrappy Bias and Vine Pops.

Shawls I’ve Considered Knitting

Here is a list of my saved favorite shawls. I’ve discovered many pretty ones, but the question is, can I follow the pattern? I still need a fairly easy pattern, although I did manage to knit the Vine Pops triangular shawl by Kirsten Kapur in a Mystery Knit Along. I’m still amazed at that.

Danzig, by designer Justyna Lorkowska is a big triangle shape (arrow shape?) which she knitted in a light color (Malabrigo Mechita in “Pearl”) but added a bright variegated yarn (Malabrigo Mechita in “Diana”) which makes bright little dots and rows of color throughout by knitting short rows. I really love this one, but don’t have a lot of practice with short rows. The little ruffled scarf I am working on is the only place I have used them.

Note to self: After viewing the Danzig shawl colors chosen by other knitters, I would probably choose the colors the designer used, or something close.

And… by the same designer, a Free shawl pattern called “Eunni” which is available at Knitty.com, but this one looks involved. It’s free, so I may give it a try. It’s also very colorful, so not sure what I would do with that.

Her designs are quite lovely and I have also favorited Aisling, which is a crescent shaped shawl, and Penicuik. These links go to Ravelry where you can see photos and buy the patterns if you like. I think you will need to sign up, which is free and it’s a great place to find patterns, both free and to purchase.

The Slumber Shawl by Stephen West is so pretty with the wavy edge . I’m not crazy about the color yellow, but the yellow and gray gradient in this one looks awesome. Also, the yarn weight called for is worsted or Aran to make a more dense, warm neck wrap.

Making a Pattern Choice

Yesterday I went yarn shopping and bought a ton of new yarn from the visiting yarn truck so I am itching to use it! (More on that yarn truck on another post.) As I shopped around Ravelry (which can take hours out of my day) I found some nice discounts and deals.

Once I happened across some shawls by Janina Kallio of Woolenberry and saw that she was offering a winter discount, I jumped at the chance to have her patterns. It was buy two, get one free, so I ended up with three shawl patterns for the price of two. Great deal!

Choosing three was tough, with all the pretty shawls offered, but I wanted something other than a triangle shape, which narrowed it down. Also, since I tend to buy one skein of yarn in a color that grabs my attention (like in the photo above), I hoped to find shawls that would take one skein.

The first shawl I chose is “Railings” and is a half circle shape. One skein of fingering weight yarn is used, so that is perfect. The beautiful “Floral” shawl is in crescent shape and takes more than one skein but is so pretty! And my last choice is a unique shawl that is knit from the bottom up with a lacy border added afterward. It’s called “Dewdrops“. I am not sure which one I will try first, but I’m casting on tomorrow!