If you want to knit someone (yourself included) a shawl on the double, this easy Eyelet Wrap is a relatively quick project that's really easy and makes a big impact. Worked on size 9 US needles and with a really easy pattern repeat, it goes faster than most lacy projects of its size.
It's a great choice for covering up in a cool restaurant during the summer or to wear to a spring or summer wedding. The bamboo/acrylic blend is light, soft, pretty and machine washable; what could be better?
Materials:
- 3 skeins Naturally Caron.com Spa (I used color 6, Berry Frappe) or about 690 yards of medium weight yarn of your choice
- size 9 US (5.5 mm) circular knitting needle, at least 24 inches long
- size I/9 (5.5 mm) crochet hook
- tape measure, scissors, yarn needle
Gauge:
Gauge is not that critical, but I got 14 stitches and 17 rows per 4 inches (3.5 stitches and 4.25 rows per inch) in Eyelet Pattern, unstretched.
Size:
After blocking and relaxing from blocking, my shawl measured about 30 inches by 41.5 inches.
Instructions:
- Cast on 121 stitches. Do not join in round, but work back and forth in rows.
- Work the Eyelet Pattern as follows:
- Row 1: Knit 1, *yarn over, knit 2 together. Repeat from * across.
- Rows 2 and 4: Purl.
- Row 3: *K2tog, yo. Repeat from * to last stitch, knit 1.
- Continue in pattern until piece measures about 38 inches, ending with an eyelet row.
- Bind off in purl.
- Block the piece and pin aggressively. Allow to dry thoroughly before unpinning. If you use the Spa yarn, which is mostly acrylic, the project will "relax" a bit after blocking and come out smaller than the measurements you blocked to.
- Weave in ends.
- Using the crochet hook, single crochet around the outside edge, working 3 stitches into each corner.
This wrap can be worn as a rectangle or folded corner to corner and worn as a triangle. It has a lot of stretch so it can be tied in front, or you can use a shawl pin to keep it in place.
Note also that it's not absolutely critical to remember which eyelet row you are on. Mess ups can be considered a design feature and actually add interest to the finished shawl.
