Betwixtmas Shawl 2020 designed by Lynne Rowe - Exclusive shawl pattern
We have been bursting with excitement to share this top secret pattern, ever since the day the shawl arrived in our office. Say hello to the Black Sheep Wools Betwixtmas shawl 2020, designed by Lynne Rowe.
This is our third exclusive Betwixtmas make along shawl. We've still got the patterns available to download for Betwixtmas 2018 and Betwixtmas 2019. The Betwixtmas shawl is a knitting project to cast on and knit on those lazy, hazy days in between Christmas and New Year.
A colour work, knitting design with a bit of texture too. Lynne took inspiration from Scandinavian snowfall for this piece. Wintry skies brightened by speckles of snow. A shawl design that starts with just a few stitches. The wingspan expands as you gradually increase to over 300 stitches.
Lynne has been a friend of Black Sheep Wools for many years now. A woman of many talents, Lynne teaches knitting and crochet workshops, is a designer, author and tech editor. We were delighted when she agreed to design this year's Betwixtmas shawl.
For Betwixtmas 2020 we have put together 3 different kits in Rowan yarns. All of the kits include yarn to complete the shawl, pattern, postcard and an exclusive bespoke, glitzy stitch marker by Fripperies and Bibelots. A different colour combination has been chosen for each of the 3 Rowan yarns. We’ve got Rowan Island Blend (grey), Rowan Alpaca Soft DK (deep teal and wintry cream) and Rowan Softyak DK (pink / purple).
Beautiful, sparkly stitch markers. Find the silver stitch marker in either the Alpaca Soft DK or Softyak DK kits and gold in the Rowan Island Blend kit.
As always we have released the pattern as a free download, so that the pattern is available for everyone to join in. Take a look through your stash for two contrasting DK yarns or treat yourself to your favourite DK yarn.
We hope you enjoy knitting this beautiful shawl. Share your progress and finished photos, including #betwixtmas2020. You might also like to join our Facebook Make Along group. It's a friendly place to share your knitting and crochet projects with others. There's always someone on hand to help out if you need advice on your knitting too.
Carmen wearing the Rowan Softyak shawl
We asked Lynne a few questions about the shawl and included some Christmas questions at the end for a bit of fun. Enjoy having a read of her answers.
Keep an eye out on our Instagram later next week, when Sara will be doing a live chat with Lynne.
What is the inspiration behind your Betwixtmas 2020 design?
My inspiration for this year’s Betwixmas Shawl came from the snowy skies of Scandinavia that brighten up the long, dark days of winter. There are little specks of snow dotted here and there throughout the shawl in the form of a simple colourwork pattern.
What level of knitter do you need to be to knit the shawl?
You will need to be able to cast on, cast off, knit, purl and work with two colours to create a very simple colourwork dot pattern, so I would say it’s easy overall, with a little bit of intermediate knitting sprinkled in to keep you on your toes.
Are there any specific techniques or stitches used?
Mostly it’s basic knit and purl stitches along with increasing, but there are a few colourwork rows with a very simple pattern of working 3 stitches in one colour, then 1 stitch in the opposite colour. The edging is a simple rib, with a simple, stretchy cast off.
What is your favourite project to make in the winter months?
I love to feel warm and cosy in Winter so I really enjoy make squishy scarves, shawls and blankets. I’m a huge fan of Hygge and love to relax by snuggling up in all my cosy knits, a yummy hot chocolate, a nice candle and of course my knitting or crochet.
What’s top of your knitting / crochet wish list at the moment?
I would really love to knit myself a jumper but I know I’m not very good with larger projects. Somehow they get lost at the bottom of the WIP pile and are soon forgotten! Maybe I can set it as a goal for 2021.
Where is your cosy knitting / crochet spot in the winter?
I have ‘my’ chair in the lounge that has a lovely straight back to it, which is really supportive and comfy, plus a couple of squishy cushions and a cosy knitted cabled blanket that sits on my lap and keeps me warm as I knit and crochet. It’s my little corner of Hygge.
Dare we ask how many WIP’s you have on the go at the moment?
Please don’t ask!!!! This year I embarked on my ‘find it, finish it or frog it’ campaign (#fffalong2020) and I have finished or frogged quite a few things but I confess that I still have about 15-20 WIPS that I know of!!! (somehow I keep finding them tucked away in the most unexpected places).
Barbara wearing the Rowan Alpaca Soft DK shawl
A few fun Christmas themed questions to finish -
Favourite thing about Christmas. I absolutely love Christmas
For me it’s a really important time of year to completely switch off from work and spend time with my family - watching the TV, playing games and catching up. I love decorating the house and Christmas tree, and never want to take the decorations down. I have a lot of baubles from my childhood and love to take them out every year and hang their memories on the tree.
Favourite Christmas song / Christmas carol
When Punk Rock exploded into our lives, I was a teenager and I loved it. So it’s no surprise that my all-time favourite Christmas song is ‘A Fairytale of New York City’ by the Pogues and Kirsty MacColl. I love the contrast between the jaunty Irish melody and the sombre story being told
Mince pie or Christmas pudding?
It’s a mince pie all the way for me, and thank goodness you can now get really nice gluten free ones too. I love a bit of gluten-free Christmas cake too, but never a Christmas pudding.