shawls in review
We are in a transformative time on many levels. Here's a wish of safety, care, and hope for all as we work toward real change, and keep each other safe from a virus that we're only at the beginning stages of understanding.
Shawls are fun and satisfying to knit, they are a comfort when there's a chill, and they can transform an outfit. Earlier this week, we launched our annual Shawls collection, and we have a tradition now of looking back over pieces we've published over the years whenever we publish a new collection.
When I make these posts, I think of the models, the photographers, the designers, the shoot, where the company was located (we've moved quite a few times over the years) and the yarn itself. Bringing these designs to our customers takes the time, talents, and effort of so many working together. This year was quite different with everyone working remotely, and our photographer, Abby Ruscansky-Johnson, became our model; her fiancé, Jared Lank, got behind the camera for this shoot. Hope to hear more of their experience in the future.
We, makers at the company, share a love of natural fibers and of making textiles with our own two hands, with you, the folks who support what we do. Over here there's such a delight in sharing the care and artistry of the talented people we've worked with in the last ten years. Below are nine of the many shawls designs from our pattern archive. Hope you enjoy.
Bold lines and graphics
Naamah was Paula Pereira's contribution to our Scarves, Etc 6 collection, published in early 2017. This shawl begins in a twisted rib body, and flows into a pretty ripple motif in the border; worked up in Chickadee and shown here in Bird's Egg.
Our own creative director, Leila Raven, designed for us Mucha, shown here in Chickadee Honey, that we published as part of our Shawls 2017 collection in June of that year. Mucha is a top-down triangle that begins with a slipped stitch cartridge rib in the body and ends with a botanical motif at the border.
Leila also designed Reishi, and included it in her book To the Point: The Knitted Triangle, which we published last October. Love this sideways knitted shawl, worked up in Lark Audouin. It begins at one tip, increases to its full depth, and then decreases back to the other tip. Leila chose a cool zigzag eyelet pattern to fill the canvas of this simple shape.
left to right: Naamah by Paula Pereira, Mucha by Leila Raven, Reishi by Leila Raven
We love garter stitch
Hanna Maciejewska designed Pleasant Road for last year's Shawls collection, published in June 2019. This is an ample shawl, a sea of garter stitch shaped with short rows, and a band of simple lace diamonds. This asymmetrical triangle is worked up in Owl and shown in Lagoon.
Marika, another Owl shawl, shown here in Cinnamon, was designed for us by Noriko Ho for our Scarves, etc 5 collection, published in early 2016. Also worked from one tip to a wide edge, the pretty columns of zigzag lace nestle into the garter stitch body quite nicely.
Pagoda was Dawn Catanzaro's design for our Shawls 2015 collection, published in June of that year. The eyelets at the center of the shawl are clever increases that form pleasing peaks down the spine. Worked in Tern and shown here in Iron. And, Dawn also made a version in Piper (that she'd hand dyed!)--read about it here.
left to right: Pleasant Road by Hanna Maciejewska, Marika by Noriko Ho, Pagoda by Dawn Catanzaro
Stripes + short rows = <3
Izsara, designed by Melanie Berg, was the first piece we published of hers, for our second annual Scarves, Etc collection, published in early 2013. Knitted up in Finch and shown in Kittywake and Carrie's Yellow, the shawl is a crescent shape with bold stripes that just cross over each other in the middle back.
Rikochan is just such a cool piece. This shawl, shown in Owl Abyssinian and Papuan, was also designed by Melanie for her collection 5 Shawls, which we released in early 2015. The piece features a couple of different striping patterns, the combination of which is really pleasing to the eye.
Veera Välimäki designed Fulmar for our second annual Shawls collection, published in June 2013. Knitted up in Finch Egret and Iceland, the shape of the thing really does remind me of the bird after which it's named. Spines of eyelets help to define the shape.
left to right: Iszara by Melanie Berg, Rikochan by Melanie Berg, Fulmar by Veera Välimäki
If you want to take a look at all of our scarves and shawls, go here. And, as we roll out this year's collection, make sure you're signed up to receive our email updates, you'll be the first to know when new patterns go live.
Take care everyone,
xoxo jerusha
