Please join us for the Comfort of a Friend Woman Shawl knit-along, starting April 16, 2013! (And don’t hesitate to join us late…)

Is this an extra-ordinarily practical shawl, or a criss-crossed vest? Both, perhaps. My great-grandma knit a doll-sized version of this shawl for my mom’s wartime doll. It inspired this woman’s garment: it is a shawl made of garter stitch with cupped shoulders—it clings to your curves. It is a vest with semi-hidden buttons and a shawl profile. Above all, it keeps your shoulders warm and won’t blow about with every whim. It sticks with you in all kinds of weather —kind of like a good friend.

This pattern originally appeared as an incentive pattern for fans of What (else) Would Madame Defarge Knit? Girl- and doll-sized versions of this pattern appear in that book.

MATERIALS
Cascade 220 100% wool; 220yd/200m per 100g skein; 9wpi, Lime Heather (9461); 3 (3, 3, 4, 4, 5) skeins

OR

Madelinetosh Tosh Vintage 100% superwash merino wool; 200yd/182 m; 9wpi, Curiosity; 3 (3, 4, 4, 5, 5, 6) skeins

1 set US #6 / 4mm needles
1 set US #7 / 4.5mm needles, or size needed to obtain gauge
1 set US #4 / 3.5mm needles for tubular cast-on only

6 shank buttons, 1” diameter
Removable stitch markers
Thread and needle for attaching buttons
Yarn needle
Stitch holder or waste yarn
6 additional buttons (optional)

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Bust: 28-30 (32-34, 36-38, 40-42, 44-46, 48-50, 52-54)“ / 71-76 (81-86, 91.5-96.5, 101.5-106.5, 111.5-117, 122-127, 132-137)cm

For shoulder width: 14-14.5 (14.5-15, 16-16.5, 17-17.5, 17.5, 18, 18)“ / 35.5-37 (37-38, 40.5-42, 43-44.5, 44.5, 45.75, 45.72)cm

Cropped waist: 30 (34, 38, 42, 46, 50, 54)“ / 76, 86, 96.5, 107, 117, 127, 137)cm

Length from waist to tip of strap: 34 (36, 39, 42.5, 45, 47, 50)“ / 86 (91.5, 99, 108, 114, 119, 127)cm