Going Postal Wrap by Magda Stryk Therrien

Going Postal Wrap

Knitting
November 2019
both are used in this pattern
Fingering (14 wpi) ?
17 stitches and 36 rows = 4 inches
in body stitch
US 4 - 3.5 mm
3.5 mm (E)
875 yards (800 m)
One size (but easily adaptable) : 43 cm by 158 cm/17” by 62”
English
This pattern is available for $7.00 USD
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Striking texture and lace stitches meld two yarns into a subtle play of colours over this nubby yet drapey rectangular shawl. 

The knitting is straightforward enough for social or TV knitting, yet unusual enough to be interesting!

This whole project began with the yarn. I went to the Blue Mule website and fell in love with the Lonesome Dove colourway. Unfortunately, they were sold out. They offered me lots of lovely alternatives, but I had fallen for this colourway — no other would do. I also fell in love with Bonnie Parker to combine with it. I thought that Lonesome Dove, being Lonesome, needed a companion, and who better than Bonnie Parker.

Being a wonderful, accommodating pair, Blue Mule dyed the colourway that weekend and dispatched the yarn forthwith. I anxiously followed its progress across the US all the way to Mississauga, Ontario. Where it sat. And waited. After several, infuriating exchanges with Canada Post, I eventually received the package and was able to start knitting the vision in my head. 

Trying to get the yarn, however, made me so angry [SH1] that “going postal” was a definite possibility. 

The centre-out wrap starts with a provisional cast on [SH2] and works out to one end, ending with a border and a decorative edge. The other half starts at the provisional cast on and is knit the same way as the first, but with the main colour and contrast colours reversed. 

While intended to be worn purl side facing out, the project is fully reversible and looks good from either side. Perfect for a wrap where both sides often show. 

To achieve a similar look to the wrap pictured, choose a solid yarn that shares some colours with the variegated yarn. This creates a subtle colour effect where at first glance you don’t even realize that two yarns are used. 

Acknowledgements:
Thank you to everyone who made this pattern possible:

  • to my wonderful test knitter Rena (rainbow1907 on Ravelry).
  • to my lovely model Monica.
  • to the lovely Beth and Ashley at Blue Mule Fiber, to my tech editor Sue-Cat (Susan Hislop), to fellow designer Meandering Stitcher (Ashley Hengst).
  • to all the amazing knitters and designers that have inspired me.