I recently knitted new versions of two of my own shawls – Lovely Eyelets and 8 simple Stripes. Re-knitting an older and well-loved pattern is always fun. Revisiting an old pattern refreshes my memory and also puts fresh eyes on an old pattern which sometimes leads to updates or changes. Most importantly, though, is the yarn. It’s an opportunity to try a new yarn, to add a new yarn suggestion for other knitters, and to take some new fresh photos.
Lovely Eyelets 8 Simple Stripes
Lovely Eyelets and 8 Simple Stripes are both based on the same shawl construction. Both are sideways asymmetrical shawls that use increases along one edge with some decreases along the other edge to create a gentle curved triangular shape.
8 Simple Stripes
8 Simple Stripes was originally designed in Madelinetosh Merino Light in two colours: Begonia Leaf and Tannehill. It is exactly as the name suggests – 8 simple stripes of Tannehill on a background of Begonia Leaf. It’s done completely in garter stitch and changing colours is the only other skill required. (See: Changing Colours When Knitting Stripes 101) .
This time I chose a new-to-me yarn. I found Emily C Gillies Merino Sock while doing a little online shopping at Wool and Waves Yarn Store. Emily is a Canadian yarn dyer based in Ontario. Blue Spruce is a beautiful colourway with tiny flecks of copper in it. And so Copper was the perfect secondary colour to pair with it.
These gorgeous colours did not disappoint!
Lovely Eyelets
Lovely Eyelets was originally designed in one skein of Madelinetosh Merino Light in the Whiskers colourway. The shawl is mostly garter stitch with a band of eyelets along one edge, making it a pretty easy project to complete.
With so much garter stitch, it’s the yarn that provides the real interest so it helps to choose a pretty one. I like a slightly variegated yarn for large amounts of garter stitch. So for my new version I chose Ancient Arts Yarns Little Nettle Soft in Shy Orchid. Ancient Arts is also a Canadian dyer and they are based in Calgary, Alberta. The colour variation is gorgeous and this was my first time trying a nettle fibre blend. It’s truly lovely.
Be sure to visit my Instagram feed @leahmdesigns to see more photos of both of these beautiful shawls in these lovely new yarns!