Love Ewe Baby

Love Ewe Baby Shawl by Susanne Sommer

What is Being Made

Love Ewe Baby is a triangular shawl design that celebrates hand-dyed yarn and vibrant color work. This intermediate-level knitting project showcases multiple stitch techniques and textures in a single garment, making it an ideal pattern for knitters looking to expand their technical skills while creating a versatile, wearable accessory.

Design Inspiration and Construction Method

Designed by Susanne Sommer for the Do Ewe Knit? Summer KAL 2017, this shawl was inspired by the artistry of hand-dyed yarns and the enthusiasm of a local yarn shop owner known for exceptional color selection. The shawl employs a sideways construction method, with the main body knit on the bias to create dynamic visual interest and ensure optimal drape.

Knitting Techniques and Stitches Used

Love Ewe Baby combines multiple advanced stitch techniques to create textural variety and visual depth:

• Two-Color Brioche Stitch: The primary construction technique used for the main body of the shawl, worked sideways on the bias. Brioche stitch creates a luxurious, elastic fabric with excellent drape and a distinctive textured appearance.
• Garter Stitch Stripes: Short-row sections worked in garter stitch create horizontal striped elements that contrast with the brioche sections and add visual movement to the design.
• Seed Stitch: A pop-color section features seed stitch, a classic texture created by alternating knit and purl stitches. This technique adds another layer of textural interest before transitioning to the border.
• Brioche Border: The outer edge features a brioche stitch border that frames the shawl and provides a cohesive finishing detail.
• Two-Color I-Cord: The entire shawl perimeter is finished with a two-color i-cord, creating a clean, polished edge while adding an additional color pop and visual interest to the completed piece.

Yarn and Materials

Love Ewe Baby is worked in 4-ply fingering weight yarn, specifically Hedgehog Fibres Skinny Singles, which is 100% Merino wool. The pattern calls for three colors of yarn, allowing knitters to showcase hand-dyed colorways and create striking color combinations. Fingering weight yarn is ideal for creating detailed stitch definition and allows the intricate brioche and seed stitch work to display beautifully.

Skill Level

This pattern is rated as intermediate difficulty, making it suitable for knitters with foundational skills who are ready to tackle more complex stitch techniques. The combination of brioche stitch, short-row shaping, and multiple texture changes requires attention to detail and familiarity with advanced knitting methods.