Bring-a-long project - shawl pattern

I have to have something on my needles and I knit almost every day. Most of my work gets done in front of the TV - while I´m watching or just sitting beside my son in the evening when he watches his favorite show.

I try to have different projects going on at the same time - at least one "at home" project and a "bring-a-long" project. If I am going to a friends place for a chat I can take the "at-home" project a long - unless the chat will be accompanied by a glass or three of Pinot Gris ;o).  For a trip to the doctors' office the "bring-a-long" project is brilliant. You want to make sure that you can stuff the project into your bag very quickly so the pattern has to be relatively simple. 

The past three years I have made several shawls. My favorite yarn for that project are those beautiful yarns which change colour all the time. I also like changing the stitches and even the yarn type. I will be writing about my first shawl another day ;o) 

Meet Birgitta :o)  She has on a shawl I made for my Aunt's birthday.

YARN: It is made from a rather cheap yarn I had in my stash. I prefer Marks and Kattens Fame Trend but this one turned out nicely as well.  It is called Kunstgarn and the description is as follows:  "Sock yarn from Hjertegarn: light twist, slightly hairy, random striping in lovely colour combinations suitable for socks or shawls - and the name means art yarn!" Website: http://www.artyarn.co.uk/shop.php?action=index. It is 75% superwash wool, 25% nylon and the skein is 100g = 420m approx. or sufficient for a shawl. The recommended needle size is 2.5mm - 3mm but I used 6mm.

PATTERN: I cast on 8 stitches. Knit one round. Round two: knit 2, yarn over (to increase and make the holes) knit 2, yarn over, knit 2 yarn over knit 2 yarn over, knit 2. Put a stitch marker in the very middle to remind you where it is or two markers on either side of the 2 middle stitches. Knit one round. Repeat until you reach the size you want.  I made addtional holes at regular intervals: Knit 2, yarn over, k2tog, yarn over, k2tog. Next round knit. Make sure to bind off very loosely. I prefer to bind off by knitting 2, bring the stiches over to the left needle and knit one. A very clear video - although it is in Icelandic

The very black part is Icelandic lace weight yarn and the last four rounds are black Kitten Mohair from Sandnesgarn.