Combine Lines and Texture in This Shawl Knitting Pattern

It feels like shawl season is just around the corner, so that must mean that shawl knitting season is already here! I love shawls that are relatively easy to knit but still include some fun techniques and details that make them fun to make and to wear. Something that will ensure that people know that you made it yourself instead of buying it from a shop.

The Synclines Shawl from Kavitha Raman is definitely one of those distinctive shawls that isn’t too difficult to knit. It’s worked with two colors and includes stripes made with slipped stitches and a striped mesh lace pattern.

The shawl starts with a short cast on and is increased to make an asymmetrical triangle shape. The main body of the shawl is worked in two color slip stitch on the bias, while the border adds mesh stitch stripes.

As the name suggests this gives the scarf the look of synclines, which is a fold in rock where the axis shifts. Who knew you could learn about geology while you are knitting?

While the pattern calls for DK weight yarn in two colors, you can use other weights or color combinations as you like. With a wingspan of 67.5 inches, this shawl is perfect for wrapping around your neck a couple of times and wearing more like a scarf.

This pattern is available for purchase on its own from Ravelry, or you can buy the ebook it is part of, The Sun and Fog winter 2022 collection (see all the patterns on Ravelry here). It’s a collection of nine knit and crochet patterns from Northern California designers that evoke the feeling of winter on the coast with muted hues and geologic forms. Most of the patterns are for knitters and they include wraps, a cowl, a cardigan, mitts and a hat.

[Photo: Ksenia Naidyon]

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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]

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