[FINISHED] Askews Me Shawl

I’ve been on a “finish all the things” kick since the new year, which is why I once again picked up the Askews Me Shawl I started over the summer in January.

Admittedly, this project was a beer-induced brain child, as I convinced Scott to stop at Conversational Threads after getting our engagement photos done and stopping at Funk Brewing for few drinks. It was a nice day, my hair and makeup were done, and I’d rented a dress, so it seemed like a waste to not go out and do something about it.

But I’d also made the decision (at the time because haha I’m obviously not doing it anymore) to only buy new yarn if I had a project in mind for it, so I immediately took to Ravelry to figure out what I could make from the yarn I was drawn to, which happened to be DK weight.

Now, I don’t usually knit with DK weights, typically defaulting to fingering because it’s applicable to so many projects I like to make (namely socks and shawls). But I really loved a purple DK weight yarn I found and knew I had to have it.

The Askews Me fit the bill for a number of reasons, namely that it’s designed by Stephen West and seemed like a pretty mindless brioche project that didn’t require too much yarn, so I picked out a contrasting teal and called it a day.

I ended up using the teal as the main color, which was kind of a mistake because I like the pastel purple side so much more. That said, it doesn’t really matter because the beautiful thing about brioche is that it’s usually 100% reversible.

This shawl saved me from freezing to death on our recent trip to Vermont, where Burlington served us daily highs of 10 degrees. While my fingering weight shawls end up being warm because they’re usually pretty ginormous, it was nice to have something to act like a wall between me and the negative wind chills. Best idea for something to knit ever.

Project Info

• Pattern: Askews Me Shawl by Stephen West

• Yarn #1: Wonderland Yarns & Frabjous Fibers Mad Hatter, Pigments Of Imagination

• Yarn #2: Spun Right Round Sport, Happy Holi (note: I’m not actually sure about the base on this one, as the sport version I found on Ravelry has a different twist than what I used)

In the meantime, I’m also:

• Reading: We Ride Upon Sticks by Quan Barry (Feminist Book Club’s February selection; the 80s, field hockey, witches, and Salem - my vibe!)

• Watching: Bel Air (I really thought this serious take on “Fresh Prince” would be bad and almost quit after the first two episodes, but I kept going and now I like it)

Finished: Pop Fizzle

And it's done! I finished up my Pop Fizzle hat by Lesley Anne Robinson of Knit Graffiti Designs fame the other night and I'm more than thrilled with the final object.

It's not without imperfections, that's for sure. At one point, I managed to miss an increase or something and wound up with only half a "leaf". I also dropped a yarn-over on one of the increases and had to sew up a rather big hole in a black brioche stem. But in the end, I didn't mind either mistake, and I'm probably the only one who will notice them. I'd overall say this project was a success.

The yarn I used was Knit Picks Chroma Worsted in Black and Lollipop. Because the pattern called for DK weight, I went down two needle sizes (to a US4), which worked well for a perfectly-fitting, warm beanie. If this winter is anything like the last, I have a feeling it'll be worn a lot when talking Fritzy on long walks or chiseling my car out.

As mentioned in a previous post, I wouldn't make this your first brioche project, but you don't have to be a brioche knitting expert to make it work. This was only my second, with my Exploration Station being my introduction. Otherwise, you just need to know basic increases and decreases - no cabling required!

If you're interested, make sure to buy the pattern over on Ravelry for $6 USD.

Think this project is right for you, but don't know where to start with the stitch? Learn brioche knitting in Craftsy's on-demand online class: Brioche Knitting Made Easy, where you'll learn the basics of this gorgeous-but-intimidating technique while making three practical projects: a hat, fingerless mitts, and a cowl.

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