For the love of tiny stitches

You might have noticed that, as a rule, my patterns aren't of the quick-and-chunky variety. There's of course the odd exception (to prove the rule or, as my old English teacher put it, to bugger it up), but otherwise... It's lacy mohairs and bouncy 4-plies, a rugged DK at most.

I can't resist the beautiful halo of a thin alpaca, nor the intricacy of tiny stitches. The way lofty sheep’s wool blooms into the smallest of gaps and trap pockets of air. A little puff stitch that sits just so, sometimes concealed in folds of soft fabric only to pop out unexpectedly, delightfully. From a designer's point of view there are advantages too; Given the double-layer nature of crochet stitches, using lightweight yarns opens up possibilities that just aren't achievable with chunkier ones.

I do know that making a project in a lightweight yarn takes time. A lot of time. Often more than I have, too - when I'm making a hat as a gift or a sweater that will be outgrown by my kids in a season or two (if I'm lucky), speed matters. When it's something for me though, something that has to fit perfectly and that I will treasure for years...

It's okay if it takes a while. And it does. A sweater that I'm making as a personal project (as opposed to a work one, which I have to prioritise) can easily take me 3, 4, 5 months to complete. My first sock yarn cardigan took six months, I think? A Spring project turned into Autumn, but it was okay, still just as beautiful the next Spring.

Even if at the time, during the making itself, it sometimes feels like a bit of a battle. My children are almost-3 and 7, which puts them in the "Not Tiny but Still Quite Small" category. They still need me, a lot, and working out what I do and don't have time for is a never-ending brain teaser. I ring fence those 30 minutes at the end of every day with a fierce protectiveness. I'll squeeze in a few rows while I wait for a pot of pasta water to come to a boil, and I probably look forward to the children’s weekend screen time as much as they do. When I can involve them, even if it's just a case of making stuff alongside one another - they paint or build or make puzzles while I crochet - I do. Eventually and sometimes seemingly against all odds, the rows grow into a sweater or shawl.

I don't mean any of this in a "if I can do it, so can you", way. The only person who can understand the routines, needs and challenges in your household is you, especially at in this climate of uncertainty (as I write this Sweden has not been put in Coronavirus lockdown, but it very much feels like it's only a matter of time). Sometimes the only time-investment worth making is Quick and Chunky. But if you're in the mood for a few weeks, or months, of slowly plugging away at a swingy cardigan or a lacy shawl, I've got you covered.

PATTERN: Window into Winter Shawl

Some projects just aren't meant to be rushed, are they. I bought the yarn for this shawl in June 2015, started it that autumn, and ripped it all out again in about February last year. I almost gave up at that point, but then decided to redraw the diagram and slowly, ever so slowly it grew. 

And here it is. A triangular shawl with a modern, geometric pattern which takes inspiration from the stark lines, dark skies and glistening snows of the Swedish winters. However, it is just as a much a view out of winter, too: The contrasting border mimics the shape and colour of the winter aconite, a cheerful little yellow flower that is the first to appear after the long, cold months.

You can purchase a copy of this pattern, in either UK or US terms, from my Ravelry store now. 

For the main body of the shawl I used Alpaca Tweed by Lanar. They're based in Italy and a little hard to get hold of elsewhere, but if you do happen to be in Milan one day, you must go there. It is heaven. As is this yarn - it is soft and warm yet light, and has a delightful rust-coloured speckle to it. I teamed it with a little Iloyarn Alpaca Superfine for the border.

If a trip to Italy isn't on the cards, there are lots of lovely tweeds out there that you could use instead. Some that immediately spring to mind are Brooklyn Tweed Loft, Debbie Bliss Fine Donegal or, if you're in Scandinavia too, Sandnes Garn Tweed.

Another idea, though, is to go for a single semi-solid or variegated yarn for the body and a contrasting solid for the border. You won't get the geometric pattern, of course, but you know. Colour changes = ends. I realise some people might not like ends. I'm currently toying with the idea of doing a second Window into Winter in Malabrigo Silkpaca. Yum.

Anyway, without further ado. here are all the pattern details.

Construction 
This triangular shawl is worked flat using the wedge stitch in a C2C (corner to corner) construction. Step-by-step photos on how to work the C2C wedge stitch are included in the pattern. A photo tutorial of the standard wedge stitch (required for the tension square) is available here:

http://www.emmyandlien.com/blog/pattern-tutorial-crochet-wedge-stitch-sampler-granny-square

The border is worked directly into the shawl edges at the end. A colour change diagram is included in the pattern. Of course, colour changes = ends to sew in. If you wish to avoid this, the shawl would look equally beautiful in a solid, semi-solid or variegated yarn.

Sizing 
One size - finished shawl measures approximately 190 x 80 cm (75” x 32”) 
Size can be easily adjusted by adding or removing rows. You can also use a different yarn weight, although remember to change your hook size accordingly too. Final yarn quantities will vary.

IMPORTANT 
To open up the stitches and improve drape, this shawl must be blocked.

Materials 
3.00 mm (D/3) crochet hook, or as required to obtain gauge
scissors
wool needle
Yarn: 
Lanar Industria Alpaca Tweed (sport weight; 80% wool, 20% alpaca; 370m / 404 yds per 100g ball) - 2 balls each in Avio (yarn A) and Naturale (yarn B) 
Iloyarn Alpaca Superfine (fingering weight; 100% alpaca; 183 m / 200 yds per 50g ball) - 1 ball in Gul 7225 (yarn C)

Yarn alternatives 
Use any fingering (4-ply) or sport (5-ply) weight yarn containing a high percentage of wool and/or alpaca for a light yet warm shawl.

Gauge 
4 repeats of wedge st over 4 rows = 12 x 12 cm (4.75” x 4.75”) using 3.00 mm hook after blocking (see tension square instructions on p.X). 
Obtaining the correct gauge is not crucial for this pattern, but please bear in mind that final dimensions will vary if you gauge is wildly different.

You can purchase the PDF download in US and UK terms from my Ravelry store now.

40SEK (about €4.00, plus VAT if applicable)