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The Zilver Shawl and Fifty Shades of Charcoal

I was inspired after last week’s post to try some non-sock knitting.  I’ve accumulated several – fine, a lot – of gradients over the months.  These cakes are so delicious and without any of the calories.  The way the colors shift from a mere hint of color to the most saturated of hues – all without adding in new yarns or weaving in tails – has made it difficult to resist these beauties.  When you think about it, it’s more economical to purchase the gradient than four or five fingering weights in the same color family.  Yep, that’s the story, and I’m sticking to it.
 
I hunted through the stash for the gateway gradient – Eaden Yarns.  I originally stalked shopped Eaden Yarns for their self-striping colorways.  I have a thing for 6-color, narrow (3-4 rows) self-striping yarn, and Eaden’s colorways are some of the most unique I’ve seen.  But during one update, I noticed these beautiful gradients.  I selected a neutral shade since I knew I would get the most wear out of it.  The colorway is Charcoal.    

Given that I’m new to shawls, I wanted a project that was more than just rows of stockinette, but not too sophisticated that I would be ripping back at the slightest distraction.  So, I queued up my Ravelry faves and found a pattern that combined simplicity (stockinette) with textural interest (doubled ridges): Zilver.  Better yet, it used 436 yards; my cake had 437.  

After knitting a swatch and getting the gauge, I felt confident that I could pull this off, despite having a one yard cushion.  I cast on with the darkest shade, a deep soot, which transitioned midweek to a subtle slate before ending over the weekend in a smokey/off-white.  The shawl was incredibly fast to knit, and allowed me to multitask (i.e., watch television and occasionally my children).  

Thankfully, the yarn gods were also on my side.  I ended up with several yards to spare.  With fall upon us, I know my new shawl will get lots of wear, and the color goes with everything.  I couldn’t be happier.

Of course as soon as I had it off the needles and on the blocking board, I started to scheme about other shawls to knit.  I have a few things in mind, but I have yet to commit.  

 So instead, I decided to queue up a hat.  It should be a fast knit since I’m using an aran weight yarn.  I also cast on for another pair of socks – in White Birch Fiber Arts’ Sand in my Seagrass.  I have one leg done, but with the kids going back to school and my colleagues returning from summer end vacays, knitting time will be at a premium.  Until next week, bon tricot. 
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