Take it Easy with the Oscillate Knit Shawl

The end of the year, for me, is all about looking back and looking ahead. It’s about comfort knitting, and comfort living. Simple projects that don’t require too much thinking, so I can use my mind to reflect on the year past and what I want for the year to come.

That may be why I decided last week I needed to cast on a simple top down raglan V-neck sweater. Like, right now.

If you don’t share that same urge to knit a sweater, might I suggest Oscillate by Vincent Williams?

This pretty shawl is worked in worsted weight yarn, and you’ll want to choose a pretty hand-dyed yarn if you have access to one, because part of the oscillation mentioned in the pattern’s name has to do with the subtle shifting of colors as you work through different stitch patterns and textures through the shawl.

It’s a simple boomerang shape that alternates between garter stitch and stockinette stitch for easy stitching but fun textures when you wear it. Because the stitches and the shape are easy you can also customize it to however much yarn you have or how large a shawl you want. If you know me, you know I want a huge one. As written it’s already good sized, though; the longest side is 75 inches (1.9 meters) and it is 17.75 inches (45 cm) deep.

You can wear it in all sorts of ways, from wrapping like a traditional shawl to curling around your neck like a cowl, or even wrapped around your head on chilly days.

The designer notes this one would be great for gift giving as well, which I’m sure is true, but I would knit one for myself first. It’s called pattern testing.

You can get your copy of this pattern on Ravelry.

[Photo: Vincent Williams]

Generally I like knitting patterns where I feel like you can use whatever yarn you have (because my stash is big enough and I want to use it, thanks) and make a successful project. This is one of those times when a special yarn makes the process that much easier.

The Floral Bouquet Shawl from Xandy Peters uses a specific extended color pooling yarn from Feisty Fibers, which allows you to place the bobble flowers with increasing frequency as you knit the project.

It starts with a solid color yarn, then the two color yarn is added in, and you make a bobble whenever you encounter the color pops. This would be hard to replicate with other yarn that doesn’t have the extended color pooling built in.

The background of the shawl is ribbed, making the project reversible.

The shawl uses fingering/sock yarn and comes out to be an asymmetrical triangle that’s 54 inches/137 cm long and 36 inches/ 90 cm deep and 60 inches/150 cm across the top edge.

Xandy says the pattern is for intermediate to advanced knitters. Knowing how to work traditional bobbles would probably help, but there’s a great video tutorial for how to work the floral bobbles so you can practice on other yarn or even incorporate the bobbles into other projects.

The bobbles are five-petaled flowers but they also kind of look like starfish to me, which could be fun on a child’s cardigan or other pattern. They’d also be fun on the leg of a sock or around the brim of a hat for extra whimsy.

The pattern includes photo and video tutorials, and written and charted instructions. It also includes tips on what to look for if you choose to use different yarn for the project, and instructions on how to dye your own yarn to use in the project.

If you want to give it a try, you can find the pattern on Ravelry.

[Photo: Xandy Peters]

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