A Shawl to Knit to Get through the Current Calamity

I generally write most posts for Craft Gossip several weeks in advance of when they go live, so I’m writing this not knowing what calamitous events might be happening in the world or in your life when you read it. But I can pretty safely assume, given the current timeline, that something will be happening to stress you out, and you might just need the calm of some straightforward knitting and a super pretty project that doesn’t take a whole lot of thought.

Corin Purifoyis here for you in the form of their Calamity Shawl, a simple triangle worked in Andalusian stitch (a simple knit and purl combo that I don’t think gets used enough) along with some eyelets, mesh and it looks like a bit of garter stitch, too.

It’s meant to be worked holding two strands of super fine yarn together, but you can also use a worsted weight yarn by itself, or really whatever weight you want since it’s a triangle, you can just make it whatever size you want or work until you’re about to run out of yarn.

The pattern starts with a garter tab, which is a fun little technique that’s super clever.

The original includes tassels at the points of the triangle, which adds a bit of weight that might help it stay in place, but they’re totally optional. You could also add fringe, or just leave it plain.

This great little bit of comfort knitting will also wrap you up in warmth and comfort when the knitting is done, so you’ll be able to face whatever the world throws at you next with a little more ease. And you can wear it with anything, as a shawl or a scarf, so you’re sure to grab it on your way out of the house again and again.

You can find this pattern on Ravelry.

[Photo: Corin Purifoyis]

Another Great Simple Shawl to Stitch

Knit a Lace Shawl for Cooler Weather

Next Pattern:

It’s been well documented that I love a knitting pattern with a bit of whimsy, so when I saw the Mine! Pullover from Sarah L. Kelly recently I knew I had to share it with you.

I mean, who wouldn’t want to knit a sweater with a yoke full of seagulls? And another seagull at the waist? Chasing little crabs?

The story behind the sweater (and you knew there had to be one, right?) is that while Sarah was traveling around Europe there were a lot of cheeky seagulls about. They reminded her of the scene in Finding Nemo where the seagulls say “mine, mine, mine” and thus the Mine! series of patterns was born.

Oh yes, there’s a whole set. It was the sweater I saw first but there’s also a pair of socks (and the pattern says there’s a cowl, too, but I couldn’t find it as of this writing. If you see it let me know and I’ll add the link here!) so you can totally deck yourself out in pesky seabirds if you want.

But back to the sweater for now. This is worked in DK weight yarn from the top down in the round. The yoke and a section at the bottom are worked in stranded colorwork, with stripes on the body, though you could make the body a single color if you wanted. Details like the beaks and eyes are added with duplicate stitch to make the knitting a little easier.

The colorwork sections are charted. The pattern comes in 10 sizes, with a finished chest circumference ranging from 32 to 68 inches, or 80 to 170 cm.

The socks are worked in sock yarn and come in three sizes. There worked from the cuff down and change needle sizes to accommodate the less stretchy nature of stranded colorwork. You can choose from a side profile or a seagull that’s looking out from the sock. Make a matching pair or mix it up.

Both patterns are available on Ravelry: sweater and socks. If you make them I’d love to hear about it!

[Photo: Sarah L. Kelly]

Next Pattern:

Have you read?