User talk:Eve starr knits

Shawlettes: Not Your Granny's Shawl! Shawls have been a staple in the wardrobes of many cultures for centuries. From wrapping a precious newborn, to covering an adult from head to heels, knitted and woven shawls seem part of a bygone era.

Enter the shawlette. It's a developing form that has revived shawls for the twenty-first century. Smaller, lighter, and much more versatile, even tweens are requesting to be ensconced in a shawlette. Most are triangular, with the point being worn in back, front, or even on the side. This creates a cozy cowl around the neck and shoulders that is perfect for too-chilly air-conditioning or a fall afternoon.

Shawlette is a subjective term, but some guidelines used by designers are now becoming more standardized. Often, a shawlette can be knitted from just one 100 gram skein of fingering-weight yarn (commonly used for socks). This translates to between 375 and 450 yards. This makes it a cost-effective way to own a luxury garment and give truly unique gifts. Most shawlettes are a wide, shallow triangle, or a triangle with longer "wings" than usual, (see Faroese Shawls). This makes it possible to wear in many ways, including tied at the hips. The sizing is flexible, but in general about 20" to 24" from the center tip to the top, with a wingspan point-to-point of about 44" to 60" or so. This is after blocking (see "Blocking Handknits"). Blocking, especially springy natural fibers like merino wool, can add about 25% to the overall size of knitted lace. The lacier, the more stretch.

To keep the look modern and fresh, wear a shawlette as you would a soft Pashmina or silk scarf. Wear it with jeans, with almost anything. Another huge trend in shawlettes is for bridal wear. So many strapless wedding dresses could benefit from a small shawlette (or "shoulderette", usually even more shallow than a shawlette, hugging the shoulders and dropping just enough in back to cover the shoulder blades).

Shawlettes are an excellent choice for newer knitters. Fitting is rarely a problem, whereas a fitted cardigan or pullover presents a steep learning curve that may be best to save for later. Free patterns abound online, especially at Ravelry.com. This is a site where knitters share their projects, patterns, tips, and even detailed notes. Never has such a wealth of experience been at such easy reach for knitters. Also free: Knitty, an online magazine featuring free patterns, instructions, and reviews. Finally, Knitter's Review, one of the first online to offer in-depth reviews and techniques.

http://www.ravelry.com/ http://www.knitty.com http://www.knittersreview.com/ ~eve starr knits

eve starr knits: BLOCKING HAND KNITS: shawlettes
Once you have finished knitting your shawlette, it's time to wash and block. While some authors recommend the washing machine, I rarely do, unless I want to felt something. Felting uses soap, heat, and agitation to open the scales on the natural (usually wool) fibers, and then an abrupt change to cooler water helps lock these fibers together. Another word for this process is "fulling", which is almost the same, and more accurate. You're purposely shrinking a loosely-knit item into a dense, thicker item that won't stretch. It can also be cut and sewn, as it will no longer ravel at that point.

When blocking, always be aware that the above actions that promote felting should be carefully avoided! Use a gentle soap, not a detergent. (I use Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day lavender hand soap, about a teaspoon in a gallon of water.)  Soaking is important, because it may take twenty minutes to an hour for the shawlette to absorb the water completely and become fully wet. This is wet-blocking. I squeeze the garment just a bit to make sure it's all sopping wet. I drain the sink, and let the shawlette sit off to the side in a little heap so that nothing is being pulled on or sucked toward the drain.

Now it's time to pick it up. Gather it into your hands so that the entire weight is supported. Roll it up, still in a wad, in a clean bath towel of a similar color. You don't want lint issues. Step on the towel. You can repeat this step until the shawlette feels nearly dry, but I like to stop when it's still wet. It can take time to pin it out completely, and I like to take my time.