Kelly's Summer Salt
Even in the midst of summer, I still can't resist a good chunky yarn. When Fancy Tiger started carrying Nutmeg Fiber's hand-dyed goods, my brain immediately started planning what cool-weather project I could create with it.
Pattern: SALT shawl by Sylvia McFadden
Yarn: Nutmeg Fibers Hearth, color Madder + Cochinneal (5 skeins)
Needles: US 9 40" circulars
Hearth is a smooth and lofty worsted/chunky yarn, hand-dyed in small batches out of 4-ply US lowland merino. My absolute favorite aspect of this yarn is they actually used natural plant dyes, which creates a very sweet and subtle variegation. I actually found it so satisfying to come across small bits of plant fibers used in the dying process as I knit, because it served as a reminder of the ecological and natural approach the fine folks over at Nutmeg use in their dying process.
I wanted to use Hearth in a pattern that juxtaposed a more geometric stitch repeat with the haphazard color variations. SALT was the perfect challenge!
The triangular stitch pattern repetition throughout this shawl was not only easy to follow but also kept my interest as the piece grew longer, edge to edge. I was surprised to discover instead of decreasing to create the triangle shape of the shawl, the construction actually followed a natural diagonal angle that finished off the second side.
What a cozy wrap this turned out to be! The SALT pattern could easily be used with any weight yarn and needles... You simply execute as many repeats of the stitch combo as you want until it is the width you prefer. I can't wait to wrap up in this cozy shawl once the weather cools, I'll have to work up a second one for summer too!
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