Knit It Simple Susan

"I Don't Wear Shawls....So Why Would I Knit One?"

Here's why knitting a shawl is, to quote Martha Stewart "a good thing".....

Working in my LYS I am often in the position of assisting clients by suggesting patterns to knit and helping them with yarn selections and notions to complete their projects. When I suggest a shawl, the eyebrows raise, and a look of confusing appears on their face followed by the words, " I don't wear shawls, why would I knit one"? To that I say "I totally get where you are coming from, I use to think the same thing!"

What changed my mind you ask? Okay so you didn't ask but I'm going to tell you anyway....lol....

Months ago a co-worker approached me about taking an online class by Stephen West with her, kind of like a knit-a-long except we would know ahead of time what we would be knitting. As it turned out the project was his "Boneyard Shawl". My first reaction was "I don't wear shawls, so why would I knit one", second reaction why pay for a class to knit something I won't use? After a little friendly debate, she talked me as well as the rest of the staff into taking the class with her.

I've been knitting for about 15 years but still have a lot to learn, so I approached the class with this in mind and off I went for my very first online class properly attired in pajamas with no make-up.

What I took away from the class included more than just new knitting skills, finishing information and ideas. It gave me a whole different mind set about shawls in general. Thus the inspiration for my new obsession in knitting.

Finished Boneyard Shawl
turned to the front.

First thing I took from the class---I will wear shawls! What changed my mind? Stephen West wears his and he is a dude! Wait....what? Yep he wears them! The trick is he wears them like scarves, well why in the world had this never occurred to me? Just turn that shawl around and bring the tails to the front. Voila! Shawl becomes a scarf and I WILL wear that! That realization opened up a whole new world of ideas and creativity for me. WooHoo a new reason to buy more yarn!(Like I need one)

I got to thinking of the other benefits of knitting my "Boneyard Shawl" ------

Tension consistency(lots of practice k'ing and p'ing)

Repetitive use of a new stitch(so it sinks in)

Construction basics(seeing how it comes to be a triangle)

Memory skills(keeps the mind active)

"Boneyard" in the traditional
shawl position...lol

With these and other positive thoughts about knitting shawls running around in my head I think they are a great way to learn a new technique, hone the skills I have, be creative and create beautiful and useful garments for friends, family and myself.