A lovely shawl packed with meaning and memories.
First, Meju K-P’s book CONTRASTS – Textured Knitting, Laine Publishing is a present from my eldest son. I had listed a few books and he chose that one from the cover, a perfect pick. I love to browse through my books and day dream about patterns I want to knit, and this one is all thanks to him.
I did not really have this pattern in mind, I had others. All changed when I went to visit Atelier Pure Laine – you can watch my YouTube video about it here. I still need to write a blog post about it, or may be it is too late now, please let me know.. During that very pleasant day, I bought 1kg cone of Hampshire Down La Plus Fine, an undyed, untreated sport weight (266m-290,9yd/100g) rustic yarn. Frédérique, the owner of the farm, sells her own yarn that does not get mixed with any other during all the preparation process from sheep to skein or cone. You can meet with the sheep you are knitting yarn from ! All of her yarn is processed in France, from washing to spinning in small environment friendly (or as much as) companies. The few last ones that remain in France, there are other sharing the same standards in Italy and Spain.
That said, when I brought the cone back and after feeling the knitted samples at her farm, the Pathway Shawl kinda jumped at me while browsing my books and digital library, looking for ideas. I usually select a couple books at a time and go through all the pattern they offer. Pathway it was.
Was it the colour ? The look and feel ? I do not know. I had to use bigger needles than recommended because I did not like the fabric I got with the recommended needle size. I had to fiddle around a bit to have the same look and feel, that is between the cabled section and the garter one.
These cables are worked from the right side, and for either the right side on knit stitches or the wrong side on purl stitches, on alternating rows. I am not sure if I am clear, the shawl is completely reversible, both sides have the same cable effect. The cables worked with the purl stitches make these parts sink deeper, thus raising the ones worked with the knit stitches. The cables look more defined, an interesting construction effect. The pattern is easy if you know who to cable, I did have to use a cable needle though.
I am so in love with it. The yarn bloomed upon blocking, leaving a certain amount of stickiness to the shawl that stays fit once you place it. Perfect. I am impatiently waiting for that late heat wave to go away, first because I do not like heat, second because 30°C is very unusual for Normandy, in particular in September, and third because I want to wear it 😺
Ravelry Project : https://www.ravelry.com/projects/IsabelleGD/pathway
YouTube Companion Videos :
A Visit To Atelier Pure Laine ⎮ Wooly Stories #03 : https://youtu.be/Xz-aHNSK5FI
Back From A Short Vacation ⎮ Knitting Adventures #56 : https://youtu.be/t6Nzbl4q-hQ
Knit Now 