Get Cozy with the Paperdawn Shawl

I love a good worsted weight shawl because it’s almost like wearing a blanket, or having a blanket with you all the time that you can throw over your shoulders, or over your legs as you need it.

Paperdawn by Melanie Berg is such a project. It’s a large asymmetrical triangle worked in garter stitch and mosaic colorwork using three colors of worsted weight yarn. It’s easy to knit and to wear in place of a scarf or as an extra bit of warmth to have at the ready as the days start to get a little warmer. Which I’m sure will happen eventually.

The shawl has a wingspan of 102.5 inches/260 cm on the longest side and is 27.5 inches or 70 centimeters deep. The pattern is available on Ravelry and it comes in English, Spanish and German.

What’s really cool about this pattern, and many of Melanie’s shawls and other patterns, is the inclusion of what she calls a Row Map. The row map was originally developed by Chad Lewis of Chad Knits, who designed it as a detailed worksheet to follow to help knitters keep track of where they are and what they need to do from row to row in their project.

The intent was to help knitters dealing with “chemo brain” from cancer treatment, because it can be difficult for them to follow patterns and remember where they are or what’s happening in the pattern from row to row or day to day. Chad shared the row map concept with Melaine, who is herself a cancer survivor, and she started incorporating them into her projects.

The page linked above shows an example of what the map looks like, with space for which color is which and a place to mark off each row and double check you have the correct number of stitches. I can see how this would be helpful for lots of knitters.

“We believe that with the help of a Row Map, all knitters facing concentration challenges can confidently pick up their needles and continue knitting with ease,” they said. They ask that anyone who finds them helpful donate to a cancer charity in their home country (there are links on Chad’s website and Melanie’s row map page on Ravelry).

[Photo: Melanie Berg]

6 Shawls In A Ball Patterns

Book Review: 50 Knitted Wraps and Shawls

There is something wonderfully nostalgic about a pair of handmade bed socks, isn’t there? They are practical, pretty, and just the sort of project that feels like it belongs beside a cup of tea, a good film, and a basket of wool that is pretending not to be overflowing.

This vintage Bed Socks knitting pattern is one of those sweet little patterns that still feels useful today. Originally from the Jaeger Hand-Knit Series No. 44, the design features a simple garter-stitch foot, a ribbed cuff, eyelet holes, a crochet chain tie, and little tassel-style pom-poms at the front. The original pattern even describes them as “a very acceptable present,” and honestly, I don’t think much has changed there.

These would make a lovely handmade gift for someone who is always cold, someone recovering or resting, or anyone who appreciates a bit of old-fashioned comfort. They would also be beautiful as a Mother’s Day gift, a winter birthday present, a Christmas stocking filler, or a “just because you deserve cozy feet” project.

The pattern itself is delightfully simple in construction. The socks are knitted flat, beginning at the lower edge, with the foot worked in garter stitch before moving into the ribbed upper section. The decorative eyelet row allows for a crochet chain cord to be threaded through, and the finishing tassels give the socks that charming vintage look. The top edge is finished with a row of double crochet, which adds a neat handmade touch.

The original measurements list the socks as approximately 10½ inches from the top to the lower edge of the heel, with a 9¾ inch foot length, and the pattern notes that the size can be adapted. As with many vintage knitting patterns, modern knitters will want to check gauge carefully and choose a soft yarn that feels comfortable against the skin. A cozy wool blend, soft acrylic, or washable yarn would all work depending on whether you are making these for everyday use or as a special gift.

I especially love that this pattern has that “giftable” quality without being a massive project. It is small enough to feel achievable, but still special enough that the finished pair looks thoughtful. And let’s be honest, handmade socks with pom-poms are always going to beat a last-minute candle from the supermarket.

The PDF version has been cleaned up and formatted for easier reading while keeping the original vintage design intact. It also includes a modern pink mockup image and the original vintage scan, so you get both the historical charm and a fresh idea of how the finished socks could look today.

If you enjoy vintage knitting patterns, cozy handmade gifts, or quick projects that feel useful rather than just decorative, this sweet little bed socks pattern is a lovely one to add to your collection.

You can find the Vintage Bed Socks Knitting Pattern PDF in the CraftGossip Etsy store.

For supplies, this is also a nice stash-friendly project. A soft yarn from Mary Maxim or Amazon would work well, and if you make pom-poms regularly, a small pom-pom maker is one of those inexpensive tools that saves a surprising amount of fiddling.

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