I didn’t realize shawl knitting could be so much fun! You take stripes, garter stitch and short rows and you have yourself a winning combination! The Color Affection shawl was the perfect relaxing summer project and I was almost sad when I bound off the last stitch. Not for too long though, as I was plotting my next stripey project 🙂
For this shawl, I used Tosh Merino Light. The yellow is leftover from the Vitamin D cardigan I finished last summer and I paired it with a faded blue and a deep blue-black.
As far as knitterly notes go… I began the shawl using a garter stitch tab using Stephen West’s instructions. As always, I used a larger needle to knit the entire pattern and I’m glad I did because you really have to be mindful while knitting stripes especially when you switch colors. If you knit too tight (like I tend to do), then chances are that you will get a scrunched up edge. The answer to my tight knitting woes :: automatically reaching for larger knitting needles 🙂
Additionally with this particular pattern, to ensure that there is no puckering in the three colored stripes section, I added a yarn over (YO) between the first two stitches on every row. On the return trip, I dropped the YO and finished knitting the row. The extra bit of yarn adds the right amount of slack to help the stripes lay flat and once you’re on the next row, you can’t even tell that there was an (intentional) YO.
I bound off using a larger needle and Jeny’s Surprisingly Stretchy Bind Off (JSSBO). Ysolda explains this technique really well in her tutorial. The edge turned out super stretchy and gave the whole shawl and smooth finished look. I’m going to use the JSSBO all the time now!
Color Affection (my Ravelry notes)
Pattern: Color Affection by Veera Valimaki
Yarn: Tosh Merino Light in “Candlewick”, “Denim” & “Thunderstorm”
Needles: Size US 7 / 4.5 mm
The shawl turned out to be a generous size and is so lovely and cozy wrapped around. I’m sure I will be so grateful for its warmth during morning drop-offs at school later this year 🙂
I might even knit this pattern again… now, that’s saying a lot since I hardly ever knit the same pattern twice 😉
Kathy
Just discovered your blog — gorgeous! And lovely shawl. I knit Stripe Study and it’s so fun!!
Jocelyn
Lovely to see you on the blog! usually it’s your projects and WIPs so this is a very nice change.
Gorgeous colour choices, that pop of yellow is sure to brighten up the coming fall and winter season.
Karen @ Pieces of Contentment
I love it! Your shawl finished up wonderfully and your look very beautiful gently wrapped in it.
Kelly
It’s beautiful! I love the colour combo!
I’ve been wanting to knit a striped study too but just haven’t got around to it. Can’t wait to see what colours you choose.
Leslie
It’s lovely. Your tips will come in handy when I finally knit this.
Tara
Ugh, I love it so much. The yellow makes the blues pop so beautifully!
Swapna
I like the shawl… And the model!
Preethi
So beautiful this has come out. I love the colours you have used and also the clicks.