Close to You Shawl

Since I’m always trying to knit gifts for those who will appreciate them, July’s project was a Christmas present for a knitter friend.  I needed a quick knit – something that could be completed in a month’s time. While looking through Ravelry, I happened upon the Close to You shawl, by Justyna Lorkowska.  And it was perfect!

Pattern + Yarn

My main criteria for this project was using yarn from my stash.  I really need to focus on NOT buying yarn when I don’t have to since my stash is overflowing with sock yarn.  So I wanted a pattern that would compliment hand-dyed yarn.  

Lorkowska’s Close to You shawl fit my criteria perfectly – one skein of fingering, hand-painted yarn.  It was a simple but unique pattern. Just what I wanted!

My choice of yarn was easy  – Chief Left Hand Knits Mile High Fingering, which is 10% cashmere.  This makes it extra squishy and soft. Since I hate to waste cashmere on my feet, it’s perfect to use for shawls!  

Knitting Along

This pattern was great for TV knitting.  And that’s always a plus considering I do 90% of my knitting while watching TV in the evenings.  

There’s a split in the pattern – along an uneven spine – that has stockinette on one side and a pretty zigzag edge on the other.  Then, to bind off, you use a picot bind off – not a fast bind off in any way – that creates pretty little bobbles along the border.  Such a nice detail!

Details

Pattern: Close to You by Justyna Lowkowska

Yarn: Chief Left Hand Knits Mile High Fingering

Colorway: Interlude

Needles: US6 (4 mm)

Made for: Friend 

Time to completion: 1 month + 5 days

I really enjoyed this pattern.  My only wish is that it was a bit bigger – but then again, it’s using only one skein of yarn.  And it drapes perfectly around the neck and shoulders for cool weather.  

The yarn is just beautiful.  There are so many lovely speckles in this Interlude colorway, meaning you can pair this shawl with black, grey, purple, pink, or any other neutral.  It was super fun to knit with!  

I highly recommend this pattern for your stash-busting needs!