S/Neckwarmer
Neckwarmer Finished length 28.5″ / 72.4 cm
Neckwarmer Finished depth 11.5″ / 29.2 cm
(L/Shawlette)
Shawlette Finished length 48″ / 121.9 cm
Shawlette Finished depth 12.5″ / 31.8 cm

Just as Taos, New Mexico, embraces the cultures of all the peoples who have inhabited it, the Taos Shawlettes combine eyelet patterns with an open cross stitch pattern to arrive at a very contemporary, but traditionally referential piece.

Begin by working a 23-stitch border pattern to your finished length, then pick up stiches along the closed edge to work the Taos body. The Neckwarmer is smaller and will use approximately 200 yards or 182 meters. To conserve yarn, it is finished with a button closure. For a larger Shawlette version, more than one skein will be needed.

Either size will end up being a favorite piece to add a special touch. Taos is designed to use those perfect skeins of hand painted worsted yarn.

Styling options for the Taos Shawlettes abound: Use a shawl pin. Add a button. Use an i-cord drawstring. Thread ribbon instead. The Neckwarmer version is designed to fit easily into the neckline of a coat while also providing some shoulder warmth. The Shawlette is perfect for throwing over your shoulders, or gathering up into a wrap.

TAOS SHAWLETTES — WHAT’S IN THERE

The bottom trim is done over 23 stitches and is perfect for honing your execution of the Cross Stitch pattern. Move on from there to picking up stitches, an enlarged buttonhole, and JSSBO. Finish, as you wish, with i-cord or a decorative closure.

There are written instructions as well as charts to take you through each step of creating either Taos Shawlette version. Check the road maps, schematics, Action charts, and detail photos.

create elongated stitches
crossing stitches
flexible long-tail cast on
right and left lifted increases
JSSBO / Jeny’s surprisingly stretchy bind off
k1 wrapping multiple times
k2tog wrapping multiple times
pick up into edge stitch, and
slip
Don’t miss the decorative closure instructions!

YARN USED IN TAOS SHAWLETTES

For Better or Worsted is a wonderful worsted weight yarn from Anzula Luxury Fibers. Get more information here in a Meet the Yarn review I wrote.

Neckwarmer in Key Lime used approximately 112g or 200 yds (182m)

Shawlette in Teal used approximately 200g or 350 yds (319m)

It would be interesting to use coordinating skeins skeins using one for the bottom trim and another for the body. The pattern includes instructions for how to save yarn, and how to make a decorative closure.

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