Fun
A Shawl to Love: Pines and Needles
Dear everybody in search of a really beautiful shawl plus a great class to get you started,
Well, we’ve got you covered.
We’re signing folks up for the Pines and Needles virtual workshop coming up soon—next Friday, February 7, 11 am Central. (The class will be recorded and emailed to all participants right after the class.)
Ann Weaver will be teaching the mosaic technique, which is how this lovely colorwork pattern is created.
Mosaic uses slip stitches, not stranded knitting, to create two-color patterns. So you’re knitting with only one color at a time: extremely clever and a versatile technique.
The Pines and Needles Shawl, designed by SweaterFreak, caught my eye last year, when Kay and I saw it at Ann Weaver’s booth at the knitting trade show. I couldn’t figure out how the colorwork pattern worked, so I had to try it to figure it out.
I wish I’d had Ann Weaver at my side. I made a number of mistakes, and I’m pretty sure I would have avoided them if I’d had Ann coaching me through it.
Notice anything funny happening to the stitch pattern? I feel like Ann Weaver would have helped me not go rogue.
I’ve seen Ann in action—she taught at our Shakerag Knitting Getaway a few years ago, and she is such a pro. Technically brilliant, and also aware of the rhythm needed to teach knitting. There’s an art to it, and she understands it.
Two ways to go here:
Way No. 1: Virtual class plus yarn bundle. It was the yarn that made me nuts for this pattern. Ann’s own yarn, Plied, is hand dyed by Ann in Baltimore, then marled at Harrisville Mill in New Hampshire. Rare and beautiful. We have two colorways still available for this bundle—order now and we’ll do our best to get it to you before the class, if you’re in the U.S. You’ll buy the Pines and Needles pattern directly from the designer on Ravelry.
Lake Trout and Chartreuse. Note that magical things happen with mosaic: these vibrant colors will meld and soften into Quiet Vibrant.
The Bunk and the hilariously named Beige. It’s the most interesting beige I’ve ever seen. This is the colorway I chose.
Way No. 2: Virtual class, bring your own yarn. This is a stashbuster’s dream project. Two colors of sport weight yarn, high contrast recommended. You’ll buy the Pines and Needles pattern directly from the designer on Ravelry.
Either way, I hope you can join us for this class. It’s a whole new kind of knitting, if you’ve never tried mosaic.
Love,
Ann
I have knit a lot of Jenny’s patterns. She has a great eye for shawls.
I’m so looking forward to this. My lake trout and chartreuse skeins are wound and impatiently waiting – so gorgeous. I’ve even told my Friday knit group I’ll be leaving early
As nothing in nature is “perfect,” your shawl looks A-ok to me! I consider my “mistakes” to be part of a process. Sometimes, I rip out, and sometimes, they stay put. And, they make my things truly one-of-a-kind. ; ) ONWARD–it’s beautiful!
Love your scarf! The design is perfect. I am waiting for my yarn to arrive. See you on the 7th!
Bought the pattern. I do happen to have a number of skeins of Plied (great yarn!) now to choose colors!
It’s Harrisville Designs in NH…an historic mill, yes, and much more!
If you’ve never been, it’s worth the trip! I’m a huge “Shetland” fan (their fingering yarn) – perfect for mittens!
If you aren’t on Ravelry, you can also buy the pattern directly from the designer here: https://sweaterfreak.com/collection/all
I’m so looking forward tho this class! I bought the same colorway you did.