Source
r/knitting•
MsAlign

Need help finding the right pattern for a shawl

Help

Okay, this the deal. I have 4 skeins (400gms total) of fingering weight silk blend yarn. I bought it for another project and it didn't work out (the color was wrong, that's what you get for buying things on the internet). Anyway, the yarn is still lovely, just gray, not black, and my mom said she wants a shawl with it because gray is her jam.

Sure, no problem, only I have virtually no experience knitting shawls. I have knitted one lace stole, but it was a rectangle. She wants one of the triangle-ish shaped ones. Or an arc. But not a stole, if you know what I mean, and she wants it to be something that will cover her back, not just her neck. Like to wear with a fancy dress.

I've been all over ravelry, but I have no idea what's a good pattern and what's not. HELP!

My skill level is probably between intermediate and expert. I'm good at socks. I can do lace. I can read a chart. I would prefer free but I'd be willing to pay for a pattern if you can assure me it's worth the money.

So. Throw me you shawl patterns, pretty please with sugar on top.

Posted Apr 11, 2017, 3:48 AM UTC

713
Thestolenone•

I like Boo Knits http://www.ravelry.com/designers/boo-knits I've only knitted a small free shawlette pattern (the Dragonfly Wings one) but have earmarked several of the others and am happy to pay when I'm ready for them, love the designs and the patterns are really easy to follow.

5
foreverallama•

I second the boo knits recommendation. I can't say enough good things about her patterns! I have made at least six of her shawls at this point, and the first shawl I ever made was one of her patterns too.  You totally won't be lost or overwhelmed if this is your first one. Incredibly well-written, stunning results. She has a couple free ones, but paying for her patterns is totally worth it.

1
shorley_wall•

I am currently working on a an Anna Victoria shawl. She has free and paid patterns, they're mainly semi circular and crescent shaped which sit nicely on the shoulders. The charts are clear and easy to follow and the results (so far!) are fab. I will definitely be making more of her shawls as it has been really enjoyable to knit!

4
4rmandio•

These designs are absolutely gorgeous. I have quite a few of them in my favorites, so your comment about the instructions being clear and easy to follow makes me want to try them even more.

1
shiplesp•

This was not a difficult knit, and came out very pretty.

3
BNSquash•

Sandbank has been in my favourites/queue for over a year now because I don't have enough single colour fingering yarn to make it with (or the budget to buy some), and it sounds perfect for your mum.

3
color_me_blind•

Do you have anything more to go on for the pattern? What does your mum like other than grey?

That amount of yarn will make a huge shawl. Like blanket huge. It's it a problem if not all the yarn is used?

2
MsAlignOPI have a bit of a sock issue.•

No, don't have to use it all. I'd just like to use some. Knowing that I won't have to worry about running out is a relief, though.

She gave me very little direction for what she wanted, other than the basic shape and that she wanted it to be lacy. I know she would prefer something classic as opposed to modern looking.

1
color_me_blind•

How about one of these?

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/aeolian-shawl

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/laminaria

I think both are gorgeous, and require a bit of lace knitting. I know the Yarnharlot knitted Aeolian as a wedding shawl for someone and it was gorgeous!

I'm knitting this

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/flowers-for-yvonne

And it's a beauty so far. In a fingering yarn it would be quite a bit bigger, but still gorgeous.

This is also pretty, although not as lacy

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/succulent

Other pretty patterns

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/peacocks-feather---english

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/dew-drops-shawl I've knitted this as my first lace anything. The pattern is great, and you can adapt it to knit more or less of the drops.

2
MsAlignOPI have a bit of a sock issue.•

Thank you. I like the Laminaria one quite a bit. Plus, I've had good results with Knitty patterns in the past.

1
color_me_blind•

Yeah, Knitty is such a good source for free patterns. Like I said, knitting a pattern constructed for lace-weight in fingering weight might make it bigger, but you've got plenty of yarn, and big shawls are the bomb!

2
puggleboowrangler•

I just made this autumn leaves shawl and it wasn't he'd. I wrote down each repeat and did a mark by it as I completed a row to keep track of where I was at. My only advice is make sure to do your M1 correctly so you don't end up with a hole- don't be like me

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/autumn-leaves-shawl-2

2
kpetrie693•

This one is a bit more of a scarf than a shawl, but I'm currently working on it with some fingering weight I bought and am just trying to get rid of. It's sooo easy. Basically just looking at the stitches after the marker tells you what you have to do, so I don't have to carry around a pattern, but it still looks somewhat detailed.

http://leahmichelledesigns.com/2016/06/28/free-pattern-jagged-triangular-scarf/

2