Boomerang Striped Knit Wrap

The boomerang style shawl offers infinite possibilities for pairing colors within a simple design framework.  Yarnspiration's FREE pattern Brighten My Day Knit Wrap designed by Nanch J. Thomas provides clear directions for a beginning knitter while producing a piece that would do any crafter proud. .  

On a recent trip to Walmart of all places, I was attracted to the worsted weight Polo Red Heart Super Saver Stripes (236 yards).  The colors spanned a range from tourquoise to purples to raspberry before repeating the sequence.  When I examined the label I saw the design that was shown in this Yarnspiration pattern.  Since I already had large skein of worsted black, I felt that I would not be in total violation of my mission to use up my stash.  I already had the light blue button-down shirt that was worn by the model, and the self striping yarn just flew into my cart.

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The finished piece was approximately 71 inches in wingspan and 18-20 inches at its deepest part.  That made it long enough to wrap around and tie or to secure with a shawl pin.

Materials included a 7 oz skein of solid Black Red Heart Super Saver Worsted Yarn and a 5 oz skein of Polo Stripe Super Saver Yarn. Knitting was done on a size 10 needle.  The piece would work well on 14 inch straight needles, but I prefer to work with specialty wooden cable needles by Knitter's Pride. These needles were smooth ,lightweight, and particularly useful for knitting during a long airplane flight.

The pattern was easy to follow.  Directions were few and only covered one side of an 8 1/2 x 11 sheet of copy paper. After the set up, there was a 4 line pattern sequence with two lines of the solid followed by two lines the self-striping yarn.  All work was done in the garter (all knit) stitch. For the first half of the wrap, increases were made on the first solid row.  When the piece reached approximately 60 stitches the process was reversed I made my wrap with 65 stitches as i wanted a slightly deeper area at the peak.  Decreases were made every four rows until there were only five stitches left, and the stitches were finished off.  For specific directions, see the free pattern.

The Free Yarnspiration Pattern was easy to access by entering the name Red Heart Brighten My Day Knit Wrap in the search bar of my I Pad tablet or computer.  Yarnspiration provides an easy download.  While the first half of the scarf was completed at home, the remainder the completed on vacation.  The two long flights to and from Denver plus the airport wait time gave me ample time to finish my work.

While I chose to create my wrap from black and blue- purple-raspberry hues, the color combinations for this piece are infinite.  While I wear a great deal of black clothing, others may prefer a warmer or lighter accessory.  Consider making this wrap with white and pastels, brown with autumn shades, purple with pinks, navy with white and blue tones.  The possibilities are limited by your imagination and chosen color palette.

After making so many shawls, hats, mittens, dolls, and blankets be donated to charity,t his is the second piece that I have kept to accessorize my own wardrobe.  I am looking forward to pairing my wrap with the blue shirt I mentioned or with a black blazer or winter coat.

As always I appreciate your reflections and feedback/  I welcome you to join on my stitching journey.