Sentiment Shawl

Sometimes a knitter just wants a project that turns out dramatic and gorgeous, but is really fast to make.  Meet Sentiment:

Photo © Kathy Cadigan 2013

This crescent-shaped shawl is knit up in Malabrigo Rasta in the intensely saturated color, Sunset.  It's just semi-solid enough to make each huge stitch pop next to its neighbor, and the gauge (2 stitches to the inch) makes for a quick and satisfying knit.

Photo © Kathy Cadigan 2013

To get that lovely crescent shape, the lace edging is worked first, followed by a series of short rows in easy Stockinette.  Finish it off with just a couple rows of Garter stitch and you have a stunning lace-edged shawl using just over 300 yards of yarn.

Photo © Kathy Cadigan 2013

It's been a few years since I designed a super bulky shawl, but Pembroke was such fun that I decided I needed another one in the same spirit.  Sentiment takes a popular shawl shape - the short-row shaped crescent - and gives it oversized drama in the same way that Pembroke did for the classic lace triangle.  This time I wanted to really celebrate the large stitches and breathtaking yarn by showing them off with a big swath of Stockinette too.

Photo © Kathy Cadigan 2013

The easy lace and heavy yarn makes this such a quick project that it’s perfect for that last-minute gift-knitting.  Or even better, for a special present just for you (as a reward for all that gift-knitting of course!)  You can get the pattern right here on my website, on Ravelry, Patternfish, Craftsy, or if you're a yarn shop, in print through Stitch Sprouts.

I want to say a huge thank you to Kathy Cadigan, who took these gorgeous photos, and to designer Diana Walla for modeling.  (I just finished knitter her wonderful pullover design, Skydottir.)

PATTERN INFO

Finished Measurements
Wingspan: 48 in/122 cm 
Depth at Center: 21 in/53.5 cm

Yarn 
320 yd/295 m super bulky weight yarn

Shown in Malabrigo Rasta (100% Merino; 90 yd/82 m per 150g skein) 
Color: Sunset; 4 skeins

Gauge
Gauge measurement should be taken after blocking. 
8 sts/13 rows = 4 in/10 cm in Stockinette stitch

Needles and Notions 
Adjust needle size if necessary to obtain correct gauge.

US #15/10 mm needle

tapestry needle 
blocking pins 
blocking wires (optional)

Skills
working lace from charted and/or written instructions 
short row shaping