Wrapping up a New Shawl Design: Free Pattern Coming Soon

In my previous post, I showed you the Whirlette yarn I got for a new relaxing yet exciting project. I say exciting because I'm designing something I've never tried before: a shawl, or rather a wrap, because the shape I've decided on is just perfect to envelop yourself in very snuggly. In the photo above it looks as if I've already finished, but I'm about half-way through this top to bottom wrap.

I know there are already a gazillion crochet patterns out there for shawls, wraps and scarves. It's quite a challenge I think to come up with something new and original. That's why I told myself not to go and spend hours browsing Ravelry or Pinterest to make sure that my wrap would be completely different. I knew what I wanted from my wrap, so I was determined not to let myself be distracted by all the beautiful creations online. And there are other ways to stand out a bit - yarn choice, colour choice, small unexpected details - and of course every designer has their own special idiosyncrasies anyway. So I got started on my wrap.

My wrap wish list
This is what I had in mind: I wanted a dense fabric, something to keep my neck, shoulders and back warm. I pictured myself wearing it mainly around the house: working at my computer and watching TV. I also prefer a single colour. Although I love all the variegated yarn that's so popular - like e.g. Scheepjes Whirl - I'm more of a single colour girl. I mainly wear black - but autumny colours do occasionally creep in: burgundy, green, purple, teal. A bit of texture was also on my list, so popcorns had to be part of it too. And most important of all.....I needed a relaxing, mindless project. Not a lot of counting, lots of repetitions.

WIP

Quirky detail at bottom edge.

In the meantime, my wraps are almost finished! Yes, plural: I decided to work on the Grappa (a lovely deep purple shade) and black one simultaneously. When my mum saw the purple colour, she immediately called dips on it and I have to say the colour suits her really well. She's very tiny so wrap number 1 is going to be a size S. I couldn't help myself and added a quirky detail to the edge.


Since I'm a lot taller than my mum, I started on a Size L for myself. I love working on it. 
I'll show both wraps in full next week and the pattern will be available here on my blog and as a downloadable PDF in my Ravelry and Etsy shops for a small fee in about two weeks' time.
In the meantime, below you'll find all the yarn details and info on where you can shop for it.

Whirlette info
The Whirlette yarncakes are 60% cotton and 40% acrylic, which makes for a wonderful breathable fabric and thus very suitable for wraps, shawls, scarves and garments like cardigans. The 100g cakes have 455 metres of soft and supple yarn and a 3.5mm crochet hook is perfect for it. And there are 19 shades!

Where to buy Whirlette yarn (international shipping)*

UK Wool Warehouse

UK Deramores

UK Black Sheep Wools

CANADA Knotty House
NL Caro's Atelier

And any other Scheepjes stockists

*A big thank you to Scheepjes, who supplied the yarn for me to use. As always, any opinions expressed are my own. 

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