the ineffable shawl

A few weeks ago, I posted a "teaser" picture to introduce my first-ever shawl pattern, The Ineffable Shawl. Well, I'm happy to report that I was able to publish the pattern on schedule and, despite a meagre 59 "hearts" on Raverly, people are indeed purchasing this pattern to knit for themselves, and I'm definitely grateful for that! 

This shawl was pure joy to knit. In fact, that's how it got its name. From the Cambridge English Dictionary...

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“Ineffable” (adjective): Causing so much emotion, especially pleasure, that it cannot be described.

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I honestly couldn't think of a better way to capture the unique knitting--and wearing--experience of this particular shawl. It provides such a rich visual and tactile experience.

I also love the cheeky double-entendre. This shawl is so incredibly easy to knit it is almost “in-F-able” (wink wink).

The Ineffable Shawl is worked with two strands of yarn held together throughout, so it works up far more quickly than a traditional shawl knit with fingering and/or lace weight yarn.

Yarn #1 is (obviously) a solid-colour mohair-silk blend. Yarn #2 may surprise you--it's "Zauberball Crazy", a self-striping sock yarn!! By using a 4.5 mm needle (and that second strand of mohair) the stripes become softened and elongated--you'd never guess this was sock yarn, yet the yarn does all the hard work! 

Plus, the pattern can be quickly and easily committed to memory, allowing the knitter to relax into the process and enjoy every bright, fluffy stitch.

I knit a lot, that's no secret, but it may surprise you to know that The Ineffable Shawl is one of my favourite designs to date. The knitting experience was a unique pleasure. And wearing it? Oh my. The fluidity of the drape, the warmth of the wool, and the fluffiness of the mohair...it's like wrapping myself in a warm, fluffy hug every time I put it on.

I'll definitely be making this shawl again...the colour possibilities are mind-boggling. Plus, I have a good friend who I'm sure could use a hand-knit hug--I think this will make an excellent gift. Any baa baa blog readers out there? What do you think? What colours would you use?