New Pattern: Halona

Halona is now available for purchase on Ravelry, Craftsy, Patternfish and, of course, here on my blog!

Halona is a semicircular shawl with an elongated wingspan to help with draping (and wrapping!). The finished size is approximately 74 inches x 20 inches, depending on gauge and how severely you block it. Instructions for the body of the shawl are written and the border has both written and charted instructions so you can pick your preference. The pattern is super simple to memorize and knits up fairly quickly so you can have it ready in time for the cooler fall weather (which a lot of you are already experiencing! Jealous!).

The pattern calls for 455 yards of a solid worsted-weight yarn and 245 yards of a long strand variegated worsted-weight yarn (the sample uses Cascade 220 and Noro Kureyon). I think it would also look great using two solid colored yarns! Also, the “wrong side” is gorgeous so I’m declaring this sucker reversible.

When I was designing this shawl I was really wanting something I could use instead of a coat this winter. While it does get cold down here, winters are really not too bad and having to lug around a coat or even a jacket seems like overkill sometimes (and because of that I will sometimes go without and freeze my tookus off). This shawl is perfect to wrap up in when I head outside and I can just leave it draped over my shoulders the rest of the time. A win-win!

A couple of my test knitters expressed an interest in knitting another one in a fingering- or sport-weight yarn which would make it a light and airy shawl perfect for spring and summer. A shawl for every season!

Oh, and I’ve started a Freckles & Purls group on Ravelry for Ravelers to discuss or ask questions about my patterns and just chit-chat in general about knitting, crocheting and life. I’ll also use the group to find future test knitters and maybe have some fun promotions and giveaways! So if you’re on Ravelry, stop by and pull up a chair!

Also, many thanks to my friend Whitney for modeling for me! I definitely owe her a beer.

Or two.