FO | Dojeling Oyster Bay Shawl

I’m delighted to report the Oyster Bay shawl is finished.

This was a wonderfully fast knit, and Tern's mix of wool and silk was lovely to work with. It has a pleasing hand, plenty of woolly springiness and a subtle sheen. Equally important, it produced a pretty fabric with a pleasing drape so this shawl will see even more use when cooler weather arrives.

It's already seeing action on chilly mornings and evenings, and it's been very easy to wear. The mitered seed fabric is lighter, less bulky and more refined than garter, and because it's reversible there's no need to fuss with right or wrong sides. (In other words, I throw it on and I'm ready for the day.)

Dojeling Oyster Bay
Yarn: Tern in Boothbay Blue and Oyster (Quince & Co.)
Yardage: 442 yards
Weight: Fingering
Needles: US 7
Size M: 60 ins wide x 22 ins deep (blocked)


This mid-range size is proving to be quite versatile: It's large enough to drape like a shawl, but compact enough to scrunch and wrap like an oversized cowl or kerchief. Yardage and blocking methods determined the finished dimensions. 

Since my goal was to use all the yarn, I knit until it was almost gone, bound off, wove in the ends, then blocked the shawl lightly but not aggressively. Later if I want it larger, it will be easy to just block it more assertively.

As quickly as this came together, it would have been even quicker if I hadn’t miscalculated. In my zeal to use every inch of this yarn, I managed to complete most of the blue wing and part of the oyster wing before it became clear the yarn would run out about two inches shy of the points. (To see work in progress, go here.)

Yes, I could have done a work-around. Instead, I bit the bullet and ripped and reworked both wings. What can I say? Obsessing about details is an integral part of the design process.

There are more than a few fingering and lace weight skeins tucked in the stash. Dojeling might be just the ticket for transforming assorted orphans and odd balls into warm and wearable things, so I suspect another will soon be on the needles.

But you saw that coming, didn't you?

UPDATE
The Dojeling shawl pattern has been released:

• To read about the pattern and design, go here. 
• To buy it now, click here.