Sloane's Elfriede FO + Forge Shawls for Newbies

Funny things happen when I'm between major-project deadlines. (Those of you who have known me a while know the result is usually random burst of hat designs between mid-October and late-November.) This fall, after I finished the sample for Marley, I thought I should finally try to do a little bit of that selfish knitting I promised myself I would start doing this year, and decided to cast on a project that's been on my "someday I should knit this" list forever: Shannon Cook's Elfriede shawl, originally published in Laine magazine in 2018. 

I'm a die-hard sweater knitter, and I am not, historically, much of a shawl person: while I actually wear the one shawl I designed a few years back a fair amount, I've never really been a shawl knitter. But, I'm a determined student of our craft, and am now pretty convinced that Forge on slightly-oversized needles produces a fabric I want to wrap myself up in constantly, so, I grabbed four skeins in Tobacco and my size 8 needles and set off on a journey through shawl world. 

I knit this over our socially distant holidays, through California's second lockdown, before, during, and after I finished the Warren sample, and finally finished it in early February. It has pretty much been on my person, in my bag, or on the back of my desk chair ever since. I had some moments of doubt in the knitting (not-so-pro tip: don't ever do the math on what percentage of a shawl you've knit by stitch count. Trust me.), I'm thrilled with the end result, and while I'll never abandon my first love of garment knitting, I'm significantly intrigued by shawl life.

Shannon has designed this shawl with a beautiful, simple lace pattern that was easy to read once I got going, and engaging enough to give me that "just one more row!" feeling that propelled me through what was admittedly quite a lot of knitting. (If you follow me on instagram, you also know that I apparently found the lace pattern so meditative that I...got distracted watching Outlander and managed to transpose one entire 8 row x 9 stitch motif one stitch to the left. Oops!) Forge's three-ply structure makes the central "spine" of the lace repeats (created by a sk2p decrease) really pop, and makes the yarnover eyelets really crisp in the blocked FO. The resulting shawl is gigantic, delightfully warm, and eye-catchingly textured, while Tobacco's warm, cordovan-brown color goes with pretty much everything in my wardrobe, which runs high to blues and greys.

[I asked the internet for some help on how to style the FO, which is somewhat gigantic in scale. Fortunately, some of our favorite Friends of the Flock are Serious Shawl People, and weighed in with some good advice.] 

So, what next? I'm working on a sample for our Spring 2021 collection now, but I'm already imagining future Forge shawl projects for late spring and early summer, when I'm typically on a sweater hiatus. For now, I'm leaving the actual shawl designing to the many wildly more experienced folks out there, so I took a brief trip through the Ravelry archives to try to find some strong candidates, beyond the wonderful shawls we've published for Forge in the past year. Here's what's on my list:

  • Super simple shawls: I'm mostly looking for warm and soothing here, so some of the obvious candidates are classic garter-or-stockinette shawls, maybe with a few hints of color changes or more ambitious textures. Options like cabinfour's Nordic Wind, Wapiti, and Pure, Sam Lamb's Wellington Worksock and Black River Blanket shawls, or something like Covered by Friend of the Flock Alicia Plummer are in this category.
  • Texture 201: Slightly more complicated, but nothing too exotic. Jill Zielinski's Making Comfort, designed for our wonderful friends at Wool + Honey, Melody Hoffman's Aito and Homestead, and Orlane Sucche's classic textured shawl recipe are all candidates here.
  • Cables and more complicated allover texture: Gretha Mensen's Dewy Ocean (among others -- she has many great options), Honey Moss, Winter Honey, and Hoarfrost from Andrea Mowry.

This list is heavily tailored towards my knitting proclivities: there's a huge universe out there of colorwork and stripes and exotic shaping and heavy allover texture that I haven't considered here, because I'm mostly looking for things that will be warm, soothing to knit, and that won't stress my sometimes-fragile wrists too much when the rows get long. I'd love to know what's on your best-of list for worsted weight shawls: what's a can't-miss for you? What techniques do you absolutely love? Drop a comment below and let me know, and (spoiler alert) stay tuned for a new shawl in Forge from a new indie designer friend of ours coming next week!

649 comments

  • Posted on by Chouweil Hungry

    Best Crypto Recovery Firm, Visit OPTIMISTIC HACKER GAIUS

    I had almost given up after losing my funds, but working with Optimistic Hacker Gaius changed everything. Unlike others I contacted, he was transparent, patient, and highly skilled. He guided me through the process, kept me updated, and most importantly, delivered on his promise. My funds were successfully recovered, something I thought was impossible. His professionalism and integrity truly distinguish him

    Contact information 

    Website: optimistichackargaius. c o m

    Email: support@ optimistichackargaius. c o m

    Text Them On Whatsapp; (+ 44) .737,674,0569. 

  • Posted on by Chouweil Hungry
    Best Crypto Recovery Firm, Visit OPTIMISTIC HACKER GAIUS

    I had almost given up after losing my funds, but working with Optimistic Hacker Gaius changed everything. Unlike others I contacted, he was transparent, patient, and highly skilled. He guided me through the process, kept me updated, and most importantly, delivered on his promise. My funds were successfully recovered, something I thought was impossible. His professionalism and integrity truly distinguish him

    Contact information 

    Website: optimistichackargaius. c o m

    Email: support@ optimistichackargaius. c o m

    Text Them On Whatsapp; (+ 44) .737,674,0569. 

  • Posted on by Chouweil Hungry

    Best Crypto Recovery Firm, Visit OPTIMISTIC HACKER GAIUS

    I had almost given up after losing my funds, but working with Optimistic Hacker Gaius changed everything. Unlike others I contacted, he was transparent, patient, and highly skilled. He guided me through the process, kept me updated, and most importantly, delivered on his promise. My funds were successfully recovered, something I thought was impossible. His professionalism and integrity truly distinguish him

    Contact information 

    Website: optimistichackargaius. c o m

    Email: support@ optimistichackargaius. c o m

    Text Them On Whatsapp; (+ 44) .737,674,0569. 

  • Posted on by Sheikh Hussein
    Native Psychic Healer – Black Magic Protection, Witchcraft Removal Spells and Rituals – Call/WhatsApp ☎ +27765274256

    Traditional Healer Sheikh Hussein offers various services like Love Spells, Black Magic, Money Spells, Voodoo Spells, Witchcraft, and more for problems related to love, marriage, finance, business, court cases, and protection. As an authentic Spell Caster and Traditional Psychic Herbalist Healer with supernatural powers, Sheikh Hussein provides advanced African traditional healing to address complex issues. Specializing in Black Magic services, he helps in removing curses, protection, and reversing spells. Contact him for assistance via call, WhatsApp, Telegram, or email for quick and guaranteed results.

    Sheikh Hussein’s expertise extends to areas like Dark Magic Removal, Curse Removal, Evil Eye Protection, and removing hexes and spells through rituals and spells. His services cover a wide range of locations including the United States, Canada, Australia, India, Sweden, Bulgaria, and more. Whether dealing with relationship issues, financial challenges, or seeking spiritual protection, Sheikh Hussein offers comprehensive solutions through powerful spells, prayers, and rituals. Reach out to Sheikh Hussein for assistance in resolving various life challenges with confidentiality and expert care. Traditional Native Healer in South Africa.

    Spiritual healing, love spells, psychic readings, and various types of spell casting services. The content covers a wide range of services such as death spells, love spells, black magic removal, soulmate readings, palm readings, binding spells, and more. Additionally, it mentions working with different locations worldwide.

    These services are based on the African Tradition Value system/religion, with a belief in the involvement of ancestors and spirits. Rituals, divination, spells, chants, and prayers are used to provide guidance, solutions, and insights.

    For those interested in these services, it’s essential to note that results may vary for each individual. If someone wants more information or assistance, they can contact Sheikh Hussein via various communication channels provided in the text.

    Online Love Magic Spell Caster WhatsApp ☎ +27765274256
    Divorce Spells WhatsApp ☎ +27765274256 Divorce Problem Solution
    Permanent Break Up Spells WhatsApp ☎ +27765274256 Same Day
    Get Your Lover Back WhatsApp ☎ +27765274256
    Bring Back Lover Spells WhatsApp ☎ +27765274256
    Obsession Spell Caster WhatsApp ☎ +27765274256
    Attraction Love Spells WhatsApp ☎ +27765274256
    Reconciliation Spells WhatsApp ☎ +27765274256
    Spell To Make Them Obsessed WhatsApp ☎ +27765274256
    Spell To Remove Third-Party WhatsApp ☎ +27765274256
    Make Him Come Back To Me Spell That Work WhatsApp ☎ +27765274256
    Third-Party Removal Spell WhatsApp ☎ +27765274256
    Prevent Cheating With Commitment Spells WhatsApp ☎ +27765274256
    Spells To Make Him Obsessed With You Forever WhatsApp ☎ +27765274256
    Spells To Turn Relationship To Love WhatsApp ☎ +27765274256
    Bring Back Your Lost Lover and Bind Him To Never Cheat WhatsApp ☎ +27765274256
    Spells To Get Ex Back WhatsApp ☎ +27765274256
    Spells To Fix Unhappy Relationships or Marriages WhatsApp ☎ +27765274256
    Marriage Proposal Spells WhatsApp ☎ +27765274256
    Spells To Make Someone Talk To You WhatsApp ☎ +27765274256
    Marriage Proposal Spells WhatsApp ☎ +27765274256
    Eye For Me Only – Return Ex-Lover Love Spells WhatsApp ☎ +27765274256
    Obsession Love Spells WhatsApp ☎ +27765274256
    Marry Me Spells WhatsApp ☎ +27765274256
    Bring Him Back To Me Spells WhatsApp ☎ +27765274256
    Spells To Eliminate The Other Woman Quickly WhatsApp ☎ +27765274256
    Spells To Make Him Want You So Bad – Obsession Spells WhatsApp ☎ +27765274256
    Break Up Spells – End Toxic Relationships WhatsApp ☎ +27765274256
    Spells To Get Him Back From Another Woman WhatsApp ☎ +27765274256
    Soulmate Attraction Love Spells WhatsApp ☎ +27765274256
    Marriage Spells To Stop Misunderstandings in Marriage WhatsApp ☎ +27765274256
    Spells To Tie Your Man Forever WhatsApp ☎ +27765274256 Powerful Love Spells
    Get Your Lost Lover Back WhatsApp ☎ +27765274256
    Love Spells That Last Forever WhatsApp ☎ +27765274256
    Spells To Keep Your Partner Loyal WhatsApp ☎ +27765274256
    Spells To Protect Your Relationship WhatsApp ☎ +27765274256
    Fertility Spells For Pregnancy Success WhatsApp ☎ +27765274256
    Permanent Love Spells WhatsApp ☎ +27765274256
    Effective Spells To Bring Back Your Ex Lover WhatsApp ☎ +27765274256
    Ex-Lover Reconciliation Spells WhatsApp ☎ +27765274256
    Bring Back Lover Spells WhatsApp ☎ +27765274256

    Most Powerful Online Love Spell Caster – Lost Lover Spell Caster, Divorce Spell Caster, Marriage Spell Caster and Love Relationship Spell Caster WhatsApp ☎ +27765274256

    These spells will cast for following problems

    To bring back a ex-wife
    To bring back a ex-husband
    To bring back a ex-boyfriend
    To bring back a ex-girlfriend

    For those interested in these services, it’s essential to note that results may vary for each individual. If someone wants more information or assistance, they can contact Sheikh Hussein via various communication channels provided in the text.

    Contact Sheikh Hussein
    Contact Me On
    📧 sheikhhussein@protonmail.com
    📱 Telegram/Botim/Signal/WhatsApp ☎ +27765274256
    📱 Add Me on TELEGRAM “@sheikhspells”
    📱 Add Me on SIGNAL “@sheikhhussein.20”
    🌐 https://sheikhhussein.com

  • Posted on by joseph stanely
    I just want to share my experience and testimony here. I was married for 9years to my wife and all of a sudden, another man came into the picture. she started hailing me and she was abusive but I still loved her with all my heart and wanted him at all cost…then he filed for divorce..my whole life was turning apart and I didn’t know what to do. She moved out of the house and abandoned the kids. So someone told me about trying spiritual means to get my wife back and introduced me to a spell caster…so I decided to try it reluctantly although I didn’t believe in all those things… then when he did the special prayers and spell, after ,48 hours, my wife came back and was pleading. she had realized her mistakes i just couldn’t believe it, anyway we are back together now and we are happy..in case anyone needs this man, the person can also call or WhatsApp him number:‪(+2348156942172‬.)

    website; https://doctor-olu-spell-temple.b12sites.com/

Leave a comment

All blog comments are checked prior to publishing
You have successfully subscribed!