Simply Sweet Shawl, in String Theory

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This is Knitwise Design‘s newest pattern, Simply Sweet Shawl. I knit mine in one of the suggested yarns: String Theory Yarn’s Caper Sock. And, yes, that’s Long Lake in the background.

This is a wonderfully rhythmic knit. It’s almost all garter stitch, with properly placed increases that help keep the shawl securely in place on your shoulders. The scalloped edge is an interesting technique. I won’t spill the beans, but as Linda Courtney puts it, there’s “no tricky knitting required.” Basically, to borrow an Elizabeth Zimmermann term, it’s an “afterthought” scallop.

I decided to knit mine in two colors, and keep the I-Cord bows the same color as the body of the shawl.

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It’s total knitter’s choice on whether you use two or three colors. Here’s Linda’s 3-color version:

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This is one pattern name that suits. Simply sweet.

Simply Sweet was my maiden voyage with String Theory yarn. I intend to return for more trips. Caper sock is a luxurious fingering weight superwash: 80% merino wool, 10% nylon to put a nice bounce in the fabric and, ahem, 10% cashmere. Caper is supposed to conjure up thoughts of Capricorn (a goat, possibly a cashmere goat) and also there’s all that capering we knitters do as we skip about delighting in the feel of such wonderful yarn. Sometimes it’s best not to think too much about why patterns and yarns end up with the names they end up with.

It’s great yarn, though. My colorways are citron, a lively yellow green,  and black tulip, a deep purple.

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