Shawls - help please!

There are several "basic" shawl shapes. I prefer a semi-circular or 3/4 circle shape to avoid drapey ends on rectangles & triangles. Include "cape" in your pattern search.

mollyknits said:

I love wearing and knitting shawls but dislike the long "arms" that are always in the way. Does anyone have any suggestions how to adjust the basic shawl pattern to make these shorter or more manageable?
Thanks, I appreciate the help.

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I agree with you on this. Still trying to find the best way to wear these.

Similar coverage but not shawls:
I too like knitting but dislike wearing shawls. I have knit these as substitutes.

Good suggestions.

Thanks so much to all of you. You have given me a lot to look into!

k1p1granny said:

This is the only shape I knit. Never falls off. Don’t know what the shape is called though.
it’s called a split front shawl here in NZ but I know it has another name View attachment 1289185

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I believe it's called a Ruana.

I knit shawls, but have repeated this Faroese-style more often than triangular or semicircular ones:

BECAUSE they have the same shoulder shaping as a raglan sweater, they stay on.

mollyknits said:

I love wearing and knitting shawls but dislike the long "arms" that are always in the way. Does anyone have any suggestions how to adjust the basic shawl pattern to make these shorter or more manageable?
Thanks, I appreciate the help.

Click to expand...

I make a simple shawl, top down. After several rows of garter or seed (for my cold neck), I divide the sts in 3rds, pinning the st at the 1/3 & 2/3 place (if count isn't ==, I put the one or 2 extra in the back section). At the beginning of EACH row do a YO after the 2nd or 3rd st (for WW or bulky), and, every RS row, YO increases before and after each pinned st. This style stays on the shoulders very well. You can add lace sections or alt ss w/ garter, or just all ss or all garter. The front edge eyelets can be used as button holes. I turn the end front points toward the back and sew the lower edge for tissue pockets. If I use fingering yarn, I usually hold 2 or 3 strands together. Since mine are usually made for people who sit a lot, I stop the length at mid back. However, I've been known to wear mine doing housework if I'm not working hard enuff to keep warm. PM me if you have questions.

mollyknits said:

Thanks so much to all of you. You have given me a lot to look into!

Click to expand...

I think this is a Ruana.

mollyknits said:

I love wearing and knitting shawls but dislike the long "arms" that are always in the way. Does anyone have any suggestions how to adjust the basic shawl pattern to make these shorter or more manageable?
Thanks, I appreciate the help.

Click to expand...

The suggestions for the short ponchos and over the shoulder cowls are wonderful. I have knit several in the last couple of years and really enjoy wearing them.
Small triangular shawls are the most difficult to wear for me. A weight on the end, like a tassel or small string of beads might help to keep the end down.

I’ve made 3 asymmetrical ponchos. Like you, shawls can be inconvenient. You can use any stitch you want. The shape is a rectangle with a triangle taken out halfway. You just gradually decrease and then gradually increase. When you put it together, it doesn’t have that 4-pointed look. I’ve gotten a lot of compliments and stayed warm!

Thanks everyone!

k1p1granny said:

This is the only shape I knit. Never falls off. Don’t know what the shape is called though.
it’s called a split front shawl here in NZ but I know it has another name View attachment 1289185

Click to expand...

It's called a "Ruanna". It is also spelled with only one "N". Ravelry has a lot of patterns for them. I have one my husband bought for me that is a red cashmere and I love wearing it. I am tall so it looks good on me - or at least it is the correct length to make it look good.

I make the heart shaped ones that tie behind the waist.

Love the "L'envelope". Thanks for posting.

Hilda said:

I make the heart shaped ones that tie behind the waist.

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Like this one?

marydeckman said:

I’ve made 3 asymmetrical ponchos. Like you, shawls can be inconvenient. You can use any stitch you want. The shape is a rectangle with a triangle taken out halfway. You just gradually decrease and then gradually increase. When you put it together, it doesn’t have that 4-pointed look. I’ve gotten a lot of compliments and stayed warm!

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Might you have a picture or pattern link?

MMWRay said:

Similar coverage but not shawls:

The Pawp Tart pattern by Casapinka

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www.ravelry.com

160-6 Embrace pattern by DROPS design

Knitted DROPS poncho with lace pattern in ”Brushed Alpaca Silk”. Size: S - XXXL.

www.ravelry.com

0-1273 Summer Stream pattern by DROPS design

Knitted DROPS poncho in garter st with lace pattern and buttons in the side, worked top down in ”Brushed Alpaca Silk”

www.ravelry.com

Avana pattern by Annie Rowden

www.ravelry.com

L'Enveloppe pattern by Sally Melville

Every time I wear this and everywhere I go, I’ve had it commented on—by strangers on the street, by shop owners or customers, by knitters or non. And each time they say something like “I love that … thing you’re wearing!” No-one knows what to call it, and—frankly—neither do I. Because one arm...

www.ravelry.com

I too like knitting but dislike wearing shawls. I have knit these as substitutes.

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Thank you for all the links. Been toying with the ideal of a poncho, but theses might be more useable/wearable options. I have the L’envelope pattern, but it always looked slightly uncomfortable to wear for any length of time . Of the links you shared do you have a favorite?