Shawls, a Gift From the Heart

 Shawl:  a piece of cloth that is used especially by women as a covering for the head or shoulders
 (Merriam-Webster)

"The shawl is perhaps the oldest of garments; whether knitted or woven it has been worn for centuries.  The shawl appears in some guise and shape in many diverse cultures.  Wherever people have been working, living, telling stories and celebrating, there have been people wearing shawls, wrapped in blankets, draped in lace.  Shawls are used for prayer and mourning.  Shawls are bridal veils and christening garments.  Shawls bring comfort and drama to our lives."
Cheryl Oberle, Folk Shawls.

Derived from the Persian word shal,  "shawl" originally referred to a class of woven fabric rather than a particular garment.  Versatile garments, shawls can change an outfit from casual to dressy (or vice versa) all the while providing a practical warmth.  I find knitting shawls to be intriguing, there are numerous shapes and patterns that a shawl can take.

While I love to knit shawls, I have encountered a problem over the years...what do I do with them all?  Realistically I can only wear so many shawls.  I can knit them all day long but once I am done they will just sit in my closet collecting dust.  The solution?  Give them away.  Be it a prayer shawl for someone who is grieving or a gift for friends and/or my daughter's teachers, shawls are a gift from the heart.

Here are some of my favorites:

 Donna's Wrap in Schoeller+Stahl Spray

 Smocked Border Triangle Shawl by Teva Durham in Patricia Roberts Fine Cotton

 

Holden  by Mindy Wilkes in Prism Delicato

 Lori Beth Shawl in Queensland Collection Pima Fresca

 Print O' the Wave Stole by Eunny Jang in Ruca

Darjeeling Shawl by Joan Forgione  in Hand Maiden Swiss Mountain Bamboo

Color Affection by Veera Valimaki in Yarn Hollow Gemini

Cables and Flowers Cowl in Queensland Collection Sweet Pea

Honeycombs and Ruffles, Hope for Peace and Strength

This is a repeat post in loving memory of Davey Warsen, Pat Feeks and all aboard the Ozzie 72, shot down in Afghanistan in August 2012. 





A year ago last week, a Black Hawk was shot down.  All lives were lost, for each of those men there was a family whose world stopped.  This is the shawl I made for one of their mothers.

A honeycomb shawl with ruffles on both ends.  Originally, I knit this with Berroco Remix, the photographed shawl is knit with Rowan Savannah.  I would love to knit this with Crystal Palace Cuddles, although I think any acrylic would work well.

You can buy the pattern here.

100% of the sales will go to the David Warsen Legacy fund.

Davey, you are missed and loved, so very very much.