Wenlock Shawl

Who says shawls have to be lacy and delicate?

I love this pattern stitch – it looks like something much more complicated than it actually is. It masquerades as ribbing, but there’s no purling; it looks like brioche or fisherman’s rib, but it’s so much easier to work. This is one of these “work at any gauge to any size” designs. The pattern is easily memorized, and makes great on-the-go knitting. You do need to pay a little bit of attention to the count – it’s a four-stitch repeat and things can look a little funny if you’re misaligned. Using a lifeline isn’t bad idea.

The yarn chosen is a proper woolly wool, with some crunch and structure. This is not a luxury wrap to go with a cocktail dress, it’s an everyday shawl for wearing with your winter coat.

If you’re making a substitution, choose something on the crisper rather than softer side, and go for a solid or near-solid colorway. You’ll lose the pattern in a variegated yarn.