A Sweet Shawl to Knit for Wedding Season

It’s probably because Gemma’s Wrap, a free pattern from Lion Brand Yarn, is shown in a pretty, soft lavender colored yarn that it makes me think of weddings. But it’s also true that this would be a great project to knit to wear to a wedding or another special occasion where you might need a little extra warmth.

It’s a relatively easy pattern, worked in two halves from a short side so you can make it any length you like. There’s a bit of ribbing at the edge and then two sections of lace, with the main part of the body worked in stockinette stitch.

The lace sections are written out in the pattern, but there’s also a chart if you prefer. When each section of the shawl is finished, you leave the stitches live and finish the project by grafting the pieces together.

While it’s meant to be worn as a shawl, those ribbed edges make me think you could also make it into a shrug by holding the long edges together and sewing a seam on each end to turn the lace section (or however much of it you need) into a sleeve. This would make it a little easier to wear and highlight the lace sections more because they wouldn’t be wrapped up behind you when you wear it.

The project uses worsted weight yarn (shown here in Lion Brand Heartland) and measures about 17 by 60 inches as shown. It would be lovely for spring and summer in a pastel tint as shown, or use a darker color for other times of the year.

In addition to yarn and knitting needles, you’ll need a stitch holder or two (or some spare yarn to hold the stitches) and a yarn needle for sewing the pieces together.

You can get the free pattern or buy a kit with the yarn from Lion Brand.

[Photo: Lion Brand Yarn.]

Next Pattern:

Adding eyelets to a project is a great way to make it more wearable in the summer, and these mesh and eyelet sweater patterns are perfect for summer (and beyond!) for layering.

The Inez Summer Sweater from Happy Love Co combines eyelets and dropped stitches (along with some garter and stockinette) to make a casual and fun summer sweater. The pattern is one size (56 inches or 142.24 cm) around, and is meant to be worn oversized. But it’s an easy enough pattern you could alter it to suit you without too much difficulty. It calls for worsted weight cotton yarn.

Another fun project using dropped stitches in the Stella Blouse from Thelma Steimann. It calls for a fingering weight silk yarn and is worked on larger than expected needles and also uses dropped stitches. The pattern includes eight sizes, with a bust circumference ranging from 33.5 to 51.5 inches, or 85-131 cm. You can grab a copy on Ravelry.

The Design Studio Knits has a nice summer cotton tee that uses worsted weight yarn worked on larger needles so it has a mesh effect while still being worked in stockinette stitch. It’s worked in one piece and is another one size pattern, meant to fit an actual chest measurement ranging from 34 to 46 inches (that’s 86 to 117 cm).

A similar look with a cropped shape and four available sizes comes from A Box of Twine. This one is a DK weight yarn knit on large needles and still has an oversized look (for instance the size small is 42 inches/106.68 cm at the bust). It’s worked flat so this is a great one for beginners.

If you want something a little more structured, try the Pip Cardigan from Yoko Johnston. This sport weight cardigan has an allover eyelet pattern and options to close with a zipper or buttons. It’s worked from the top down and has six size options. This one is also oversized, with finished measurements ranging from 51.5 to 64.5 inches, or 131 to 164 cm). You can find this one on Ravelry.

Or check out Endlessly by Amy Gunderson, a free pattern from Knitty. This pullover uses a cable and lace pattern that is easy to knit and to wear. It uses DK weight yarn and has nine size options. The chest measurement ranges from 34.75 to 66.75 inches, or 88.5 to 169.5 cm, and is meant to be worn with a little positive ease.

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